Located 80 miles northeast of Wichita with a population of approximately 460 residents, Strong City, Kansas is renowned for its production of agriculture and cattle, and as annual host of the Flint Hills Rodeo. Now, the rural town’s elementary school will be known as the grand-prize winner of the sixth annual Follett Challenge, a contest sponsored by Follett seeking the most innovative K-12 programs teaching 21st-century skills in today's schools.
For its winning entry, Chase County Elementary School—part of Chase County USD 284 with an enrollment of 180 students—earns a $60,000 prize in Follett products and services plus a celebration at their school.
Judges for the Follett Challenge singled out the school’s program, “Learning with Cattle”, in which fifth-grade students purchase, raise and sell calves to earn a profit, while learning with the help of the community, use of technology, and creative approaches to solving problems.
Bevan said winning the Follett Challenge’s top prize will allow Chase County Elementary to develop a makerspace and stock it with resources from Follett.
For more information about the Follett Challenge, visit .www.follettchallenge.com
