Spring 2025 registration!

April 16, 2025

MEntorS Register

educators register

Educators: Add STudents

 

Specialty DesignDash Program with ICCSD

Theme: Innovate the Future of Iowa City Schools

Iowa City, IA | 9:00AM - 3:00PM

Location: Iowa City Community School District Center for Innovation

Registration open!

This event is only available to ICCSD educators.

 

EVENT FULL FOR EDUCATORS & STUDENTS. 

April 25, 2025

MEntorS Register

educatorS register

EducatorS: Add STudents

 

Cedar Rapids, IA | 9:00AM - 3:00PM

Location: Grant Wood AEA

 

EVENT FULL FOR EDUCATORS & STUDENTS. WAITLIST ONLY.

May 2, 2025

MEntors Register

educators register

Educators: Add STudents

 

Sioux City, IA | 9:00AM - 3:00PM

Location: Northwest AEA

 

EVENT FULL FOR EDUCATORS & STUDENTS. WAITLIST ONLY.

May 15, 2025

MEntors Register

educators register

Educators: Add STudents

 

Ottumwa, IA | 9:00AM - 3:00PM

Location: Ottumwa Great Prairie AEA

 

REGISTRATION OPEN

Fall 2025 registration!

Sept 19, 2025

MEntors Register

educators register

Educators: Add STudents

 

Specialty DesignDash Program with Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center

Theme: Conquering Cancer One Idea at a Time

Iowa City, IA | 9:00AM - 3:00PM

Location: University of Iowa Memorial Union

Registration open. Educators, reserve your spot!
Register your students anytime between now and the end of August.

This event is great for High School STEM Educators!

Iowa City

Iowa City, IA | 9:00AM - 3:00PM

Location and Date: TBD

Registration will open late August

Cedar Falls

Cedar Falls, IA | 9:00AM - 3:00PM

Location and Date: TBD

Registration will open late August

Des Moines

Des Moines, IA | 9:00AM - 3:00PM

Location and Date: TBD

Registration will open late August

What

The Jacobson Institute presents startup events engaging high school students and educators in one-day, fast paced innovation and entrepreneurial excursions. HS students work in teams with entrepreneurs/business & industry partners to solve problems they face using innovation and entrepreneurial solutions. This is authentic, experiential learning at its best!

Thanks to sponsors, DesignDash is provided to Iowa students, educators, and community partners at no cost.

Who

Iowa high school students and their teachers. Entrepreneurs and business/industry partners who want to get involved.

Target Audiences: Entrepreneurial-minded, Startup/Innovation, Engineering, Invention, Design, Hackers, Tech Gurus, Problem Finders & Solvers, Creatives, Gamers, 3D, Artists

How

Each teacher registers a maximum of 10 students for the day-long startup event. Registration will be determined by a combination of the following: date of registration, number of schools/school districts represented. Registration will be confirmed 4 weeks prior to the DesignDash event. The teachers attending will be actively engaged and able to earn graduate credit for their participation.

Read more

Read about the DesignDash Fall 2024 Event

Read about the DesignDash Spring 2023 Event

Read about the DesignDash Spring 2022 Event

DesignDash Sponsors

DD_Sponsors 2025

16

Total Number of DesignDash Events Since 2022

992

Total Student participants since 2022

111

Total Schools participated since 2022

DesignDash Schools Map

"Design Dash is an excellent opportunity for students to collaboratively 'test-drive' entrepreneurship by solving problems that occur daily."

Ally Schmidt, DesignDash Mentor

Innovation programs for students and educators

Innovator Competition

Students - every Fall and Spring you have the opportunity to submit your business idea to win up to $1,500 in capital seed money!

Teachers - invite your students to submit their ideas!

Business Horizons

Students - Business Horizons is a five-day innovation simulation bringing students (grades 9-12) of all experience levels from across the state of Iowa together to gain a better sense of how their skills connect to the business world and the real world. Students have the opportunity to receive three college credits. Held annually in the summer.

Teachers - 2 day, onsite, professional development offered by BizInnovator Startup. Held annually in conjunction with Business Horizons.

Tippie Gateway Summer Program

Students - Tippie Gateway is your opportunity to experience life on campus at the University of Iowa. Free, weeklong program for high school students. Participants receive three college credits. Held annually in the summer.

"As a mentor, I was inspired and energized by the commitment and creativity of student groups... all in a day's work. If they can do it, so can I."

Alex Taylor, DesignDash Mentor

Educator opportunities

Professional development and opportunity for high schoolers to earn college credit

Curriculum toolkits