


At LAUNCH, our mission is to empower students through experiential learning, innovation, and real-world problem solving. By partnering with industry leaders and fostering entrepreneurial thinking, we equip the next generation with the skills, confidence, and mindset needed to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape.
Experiential Learning
Students learn by doing—through hands-on projects, realworld challenges, and meaningful community and business partnerships.
Innovation & Creativity
LAUNCH fosters an entrepreneurial mindset by encouraging students to think outside the box, take risks, and develop original solutions.
Collaboration & Communication
Teamwork is central to LAUNCH. Students work closely with peers, mentors, and industry professionals, learning to communicate ideas effectively.
Professionalism & Accountability
Students are held to high standards of conduct and responsibility, preparing them for future academic and career environments.
Purpose-Driven Impact
Every project in LAUNCH is designed to create value whether for businesses, communities, or individuals emphasizing the importance of purposeful work.
Growth Mindset
Mistakes are seen as learning opportunities. Students are encouraged to reflect, iterate, and continuously improve.
Dr.RobertHallistheExecutiveDirectoroftheLAUNCHprogram,an innovativeexperientiallearninginitiativewithintheElmbrookSchool DistrictinBrookfield,Wisconsin.Underhisleadership,LAUNCH collaborateswithover350organizations,providinghighschool studentswithreal-worldlearningopportunitiesthatbridgeeducation, business,andcommunity.Dr.Hall'sjourneywithLAUNCHreflectshis commitmenttoredefiningeducationbyintegratingpractical experiencesandfosteringstrongpartnershipsbetweenschoolsand thebroadercommunity.Hisleadershiphasbeeninstrumentalin creatingadynamicenvironmentwherestudentscanapplytheir learninginmeaningfulways,preparingthemforfuturechallenges andopportunities
Reflectingonthe2024–2025LAUNCHyear
I’mmostproudofhowwedeepenedtheintegrationofprofessionalliteracyandhumanskills intoreal-worldlearning.OurpilotmodulesonSelf-MotivationandAIAgilitygavepossible frameworkstobuildconfidence,navigateambiguity,andapplyemergingtechnologies meaningfully.Seeingstudentsusetheseskillstotakeownershipoftheirprojects and communicatetheirvalueinprofessionalsettings wasadefiningsuccess.Inaddition,our teachersworkonemphasizingbestpracticeinresearch,buildingvocabulary,andpublic speakinginspiresgrowthandcontinuousimprovement.
Thesesuccessesshapethevisionfor2025–2026inthree ways:
ScalingHumanSkills:We’llcontinuetoinvestigateandexamineexplicitwaystoteach humanskills.
DeeperProject-BasedLearning:Withgrowingmentorcapacityandclearer frameworks,we’llchallengestudentstoworkonmoreopen-endedandchallenging projectswithrealdeliverablesthatmatterandprovidevaluetoourclients.
PathwayContinuity:We’llinvestigateclearerbridgesfrommiddleschooltoLAUNCH, andfromLAUNCHintocollege,certifications,andearlycareer.Thiscontinuitysupports notjustexploration,butgrowthandmomentum.
The LAUNCH Network is part of the national CAPS (Center for Advanced Professional Studies) Network, which connects high school students with real-world professional experiences CAPS bridges the gap between academics and industry needs through immersive, project-based learning Students gain hands-on experience in fields like business, engineering, healthcare, and technology, working directly with professionals to solve realworld problems. As a CAPS-affiliated program, LAUNCH partners with companies and community organizations to offer industry-relevant projects that build critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork preparing students for future careers.
SincejoiningtheLAUNCHnetworkin2019,theSchoolDistrictofWauwatosa hascontinuedtogrowitscommitmenttoreal-world,project-basedlearning. Thisyearalone,dozensofTosastudentsengagedincross-districtLAUNCH strands,workingalongsidepeersfromneighboringdistrictsandover100 industrymentors.Fromdevelopingmarketingplansforlocalbusinessesto designingprototypesforrealclients,studentsappliedacademicskillsto authenticchallengeswhilegaininginvaluableexperienceandconfidence TheprogramhasstrengthenedTosa’sfocusoncareerreadinessandhelped studentsbuildlastingprofessionalrelationshipsacrosstheregion.
InpartnershipwithLAUNCH,theSchoolDistrictofMonroehas expandedopportunitiesforstudentstoengageinmeaningful, hands-onlearning.Thisyear,Monroestudentscollaboratedwith industrypartnersonprojectsrangingfromsustainabilitysolutionsto businessinnovation,applyingclassroomknowledgetoreal-world challenges.ParticipationinLAUNCHhashelpedMonroestudents gainexposuretodiversecareerfields,improvecommunicationand problem-solvingskills,andexploretheirpassionsinasupportive, mentor-drivenenvironment.Thedistrict’scontinuedinvolvement reflectsastrongcommitmenttopreparingstudentsforsuccessin bothcollegeandtheworkforce.
MarkHansen
EmilyGreiber
ChrisThompson
BenjaminPrather
PamCasey
MekennaEllis
AmieFarley
RobertHall
MitziCass
RickDomach
CaitlinHarrison
LisaRettler
DanScott
LizStegemann
AndyFarley
DarcieFellmeth
PaigeLightner
BenWestphal
BrettGruetzmacher
DonKurth
ChadWhalley
BryanGroshek
MeganFisher
MicahNelson
MissyFogltanz
RyanOsterberg
HeatherBrennan
PatPerez
StephanieKelly
LAUNCHconnectshighschoolstudentswithlocalbusinessestosolvereal-worldproblemsthrough hands-on,collaborativeprojects.Studentsgainexperienceinresearch,teamwork,andprofessional communication,endingeachprojectwithaformalpitchtoindustryprofessionals.Herearesomeofour strands,eachaccompaniedbyaproblemstatementprovidedbyabusiness.
ABB
Developahealthandwellnesssurvey,analyzethedataof thesurvey,andproviderecommendationsforourhealth andwellbeingprogram–includingcosts.
Increasebothstudentandemployer engagementwithGPSEdandWRTPBIGSTEP programsbyraisingawarenessandimproving accesstoarobusttalentpipeline.
Compare trends and data you gather about reach and engagementofthatsocialcontentwithasimilaranalysisof content on JS’ social platforms, and recommend ways we could improve our content, style or distribution to appeal toyoungerconsumers.
BuildAIagentsinCopilotStudiotocapture “rumors”ofcustomerprojects.
Createfun,creative,andeye-catchingphotoand videopoststhatfeelfresh,energetic,andrelatable, whiletappingintocurrenttrendsandstyles.
AttheheartofeveryLAUNCHexperienceisstudentgrowth.Throughreal-worldproblemsolving,collaborationwithindustrypartners, andhands-onexploration,studentsdevelopmorethanjusttechnicalskills theycultivateresilience,adaptability,andadeeper understandingoftheirownpotential.Inthissection,studentsreflectonthechallengestheyfaced,thebreakthroughstheyexperienced, andthelessonsthey’llcarrywiththembeyondtheclassroom.
OnethingIlearnedaboutmyselfthroughmyLAUNCHexperienceisthatIammore capableofadaptingtochallengesthanIthought IrealizedthatIhaveatendencyto sheltermyselffromworkingoutsideofmycomfortzone,butpushingthroughunfamiliar situationshelpedmebuildconfidence.Iamnowabletoseedifficultsituationsaschances togrowandfurtherchallengemyself.Thismindsetwillshapemyfuturebyhelpingme stayresilientandopentonewopportunities,evenwhenthingsfeeluncertain
ThroughmyLAUNCHexperience,IdiscoveredhowmuchIenjoyrealworldproblem solvingandworkingwithprofessionalstocreatemeaningfulimpact.ItshowedmethatI canworkwellinfast-paced,collaborativeenvironmentsandthatIenjoyworkingwith otherstocombineideas,problem-solve,andcreatesomethingsuccessfultogether.This experiencegavemeconfidenceinpursuingafutureinbusinessandmarketing,andI’ll carrythoselessonswithmeintoeverythingIdonext.
ThroughLAUNCH,Ihavelearnedtheimportanceofagency-theideathatyoucontrolwhat yougetoutofanexperience.Througheveryprojectmeetingandassignment,Iwas encouragedtoaskquestionsandremindedthatthegoalwasnotonlytoaccomplishaprewrittenstandard,butreallytogainlifeandcareerskillsalongtheway Movingontocollege andacareerafterthat,Iwilltakewithmethevalueofagencyandnotshyawayfrom difficultproblems;insteadI'llbreakthemdownintosmallerquestionsandfindwaystoget thoseansweredsothateverytaskbecomesalearningexperience.
OnethingIlearnedaboutmyselfinLAUNCHthisyearwaswhatIcontributetoateam.I learnedIamadetail-orientedpersonwhoprioritizesanalysisandgoodresearch LAUNCH hashelpedmegetabetterunderstandingofhowproblemsaretackledinrealworldissues
IntheLAUNCHprogramthisyear,Ilearnedhowtobeadynamicandadaptable teammate EveryprojectIwasinplacedmewithanewgroupofstudentsandacoach,all withdifferentpersonalitiesandstrengths,whichtaughtmehowtoadjustmy communicationstyletocollaborateeffectivelyinanysetting.Ilearnedwhentolead,when tolisten,andhowtosupportateaminwhateverwayisneeded;theseareallskillsIknow willbevaluableinfutureprojectsandjobs
ThisyearthroughtheLAUNCHLawandPublicPolicystrand,IhavelearnedthatIlikepublic speaking.Throughthemanyprojectswegettoparticipatein,IhaverealizedthatIreally enjoyworkingwithandcommunicatingwithpeople,andthatIwanttodosomethingin thefuturewhereIgettotalkwithothersoften
Megan’s influence is felt not just within the classroom, but in every interaction she has with staff, students, and our broader network of community partners. Her ability to elevate others—through systemsthinking, purposeful mentorship, and authentic storytelling has made her an indispensable force in our journey to connect students with real-world learning.
-Dr. Hall
The Elmbrook Rotary Club has honored Megan Fisher, a key leader in the LAUNCH program, with its 2025 Excellence in Service to the Community Award, recognizing her as Outstanding Educator. Known for her visionary leadership, Megan has strengthened real-world learning by onboarding over 100 industry mentors annually, organizing community showcases, and developing tools that help students solve complex challenges. Her impact extends across the Elmbrook School District and beyond, making this recognition well deserved. We congratulate Megan on this merited recognition and thank her for her extraordinary service to our students, staff, and community.
Thisstrandpreparesstudentstoextractinsightsfromcomplexdatasetsusingstatisticalanalysis,machine learning,andpredictivemodeling.Emphasizingethicaldatauseandreal-worldapplication,studentstackle industrychallengesanddevelopskillsessentialforcareersinanalytics,datascience,andstrategicintelligence.
MynameisMichaelKroepfl,andIamajunioratBrookfieldCentralHighSchool.Thisismy firstyearintheLAUNCHprogram.Theteacherforthisstrand,Mr.Ritter,isapositiveand engagingfigurewhohasinspiredmetolearnmoreandapplydataanalyticsskillstomy futuregoals.Mr.RitterhastaughtnotonlytheapplicationofMicrosoftExcelandbasicdata analyticspractices,butalsothesoftskillsrequiredtosucceedintheworkforce Twoofthe mostimportantskillsI’vedevelopedareagencyandsimplicity Iusedagencyduringmy projectwithMilliman(ahealthcareconsultingfirm);forinstance,theprojectrequiredmeto scourtheinternetfornewwaystocleanuptheirdatabase Additionally,Mr Rittertaught methatsimplicityisoftenaformofcomplexity Thislessonhasenabledmetotransform businessjargonandcomplexdataintoclear,understandablepresentationsforany audience.Finally,asanaspiringaccountant,Ibelievetheseskillswillempowermeto succeedinmyfuturecareer,asadvancedExcelproficiencyandagencyareessentialinthis profession.
My name is Josef Keup, and I’m a senior in my first year of the LAUNCH program Being part of the Data Science and Intelligence strand has been a valuable experience I really enjoy seeing real outcomes and insights emerge from the projects I build it’s rewarding to take raw data and turn it into something meaningful. Through LAUNCH, I’ve learned to use Python and Jupyter Notebook, along with libraries such as NumPy, pandas, scikit-learn, matplotlib, and seaborn. More importantly, I’ve been developing my own process for working with large datasets, building machine learning models, and generating accurate, actionable insights. I’ve always been drawn to STEM I’ve taken advanced computer science classes, high-level math, AP Physics C, and spent several years on a competitive robotics team. I was looking for a field that could analytically combine some of these interests, which led me to choose Data Science as my major at UW–Madison. LAUNCH has helped me better understand the field and feel confident in making this major life decision.
Throughmedicalplacements,studentshadthechancetoshadowdoctors,observepatientcare,and learnhowclinicsandhospitalsoperateday-to-day. Thesehands-onexperienceshelpedthembuilda deeperunderstandingofhealthcare,developusefulskills,andmakeapositiveimpactonthe communitiestheyserved.
ThankyoutoallofourpartnersforhostingLAUNCHstudents!
OneofthemostsignificantskillsIhavedevelopedthroughmy placementsandtheLAUNCHprogramasawholeistheabilityto connectmeaningfullywithothers.AlthoughIamnaturally extrovertedandenjoyengagingwithpeople,initiatingthatfirst conversationusedtofeelawkwardandchallenging.Through repeatedexperiencesinvariousplacements,I’velearnedhowto navigatethoseinitialinteractionsmorecomfortably,leadingto moreauthenticandeffectiveconnections.Ibelievethis interpersonalskillwillbeinvaluableinmyfuturecareerasanurse practitioner,wherebuildingstrong,trustingrelationshipswith patientsandcolleagueswillbeessentialtoprovidinghigh-quality care.
OneskillIlearnedwhilevolunteeringatRubyCommonswas puttingempathyintopractice.Whiledoingpuzzleswiththe residents,Ilearnedhowtotrulylistentotheirstoriesand understandtheirfeelings.Thisexperiencetaughtmethe importanceofpatienceandcompassion,asmanyresidents sharedmemoriesthatweremeaningfultothem.Ithelpedme realizethatsimplybeingpresentandattentivecanmakea meaningfuldifferenceinsomeone’sday,andIwillusethisskill specificallywhenworkingwithotherstobetterunderstandtheir feelingsanddifferentwaysofapproachingtasks.
Lucy Swietlik
TheFutureTeachersstrandequipsaspiringeducatorswiththe skills,insights,andconnectionstheyneedtothrive.Through interactivelearning,mentorship,andtailoredsupport,we’re empoweringthenextgenerationofteacherstoinspirestudents andmakealastingimpact.
MynameisMaryCollinsandIamasenioratBEHS ThisismyfirstyearinLAUNCHFuture Teachers.WhatIenjoyaboutthestrandisthatIhavebeengivensomanyenriching opportunitiestostartexploringmycareer.Iwasabletotake3DualEnrollmentclasses throughMarquette'sEducationprogramwithactualMarquetteprofessors.Ihavealsobeen abletostudentteachatallthreelevels(elementary,middle,andhigh)tosolidifythecareer plansIwishtopursue.Inmyexperience,Ihavelearnedskillssuchascommunicationand collaborationthroughworkingwithfellowfutureteachersandwithmyplacementmentor teachersallthroughouttheyear.Ihavealsogainedconfidenceinworkingwithpeopleand talkingtolargegroupsofpeopleatonetime Inthefuture,thisprogramwillimpactmein manyways.First,IhavesolidifiedthefactthatIwouldliketoteachatthehighschoollevel, somethingthatmayhavetakenalotoftimetoexploreanddiscoverotherwise.Additionally,I havegainedcreditsineducationthatwillletmetakemoreadvancedcoursesfromthestart.I havebeengivenmanyimportantnetworkingopportunitiesthroughthisprogram,forming connectionsthatIknowwillbenefitmeinthefuture.Overall,Igottoexploremycareerina moreinformalenvironmentanddiscoverthatIreallydowanttobeaneducatorandnow knowthestepsitwilltaketogetmethere
Hi,mynameisJaimeYehle,andIhavebeenintheLAUNCHFutureTeachersstrand foroneyear.ThoughIhaveonlybeenpartofLAUNCHforayear,ithasmadeahuge impactonmyhighschooleducation.IloveFutureTeachersbecauseitallowedmeto getrealexperienceasateacher Moststudentstypicallydon'tgettostudentteachor shadowotherteachersuntilcollege,andIenjoyedgettingaheadstartinhigh school.ThroughoutLAUNCH,Ilearnedcommunication,professionalism,and flexibility.IhadtotalktosuperiorsIwouldbeworkingwith,showthatIwasa responsibleandrespectfulindividual,andIhadtobeveryflexiblewithmyschedule DuringLAUNCH,Iwasconstantlymovingaround,andIhadtobereadyforalastsecondchangeeachday.Itwasnicebecausealmosteverydaylookeddifferentandit wasagreatchangefromanordinaryschoolday.LAUNCHFutureTeachershas shownmewhatIpotentiallywanttodowiththerestofmylife Throughthe experiencethisprogramhasgivenme,IhavefoundconfidencewithwhatIwantto studyincollege,andIdon'tthinkIwouldhavecometothatconclusionsoquickly withoutLAUNCH
LAUNCH offers students the opportunity to earn industry-recognized certifications in areas such as business, healthcare, and technology. These certifications give students a competitive edge by validating their skills and preparing them for both college and career pathways.
Althoughmanypeopletriedtheirbesttoflythroughthecertifications,Icommittedfromthe starttopayingattentiontothelessons,practicinghands-on,andaskingquestions.Thishelped metobesuccessfulonthecertificationexams Althoughwedon'thaveMicrosoftcapabilities onourschooldevices,Iquicklylearnedthatthisisevenmorereasontotakeourcertification examsseriously.IneveryprojectIworkedonthisyear,thecompaniesusedMicrosoftastheir go-toprogram,andmanyofthemevenhadGoogleblocked.Havingthecertificationshelped megainpracticeandexperiencethatwillnotonlymakeiteasierformeintheprofessional worldbutwillalsodemonstratetoemployerstheknowledgeIpossess.Havingcertificationsin PowerPoint,Word,andExcel,whicharegloballyrecognizedandindustry-endorsed,isseenby employersasonelessthingthattheywillhavetoworryaboutteachingme,whichinstantly makesmemorevaluablethanotherpossiblecandidates
ABB
AlT.Jones
ChristinaVanGundy
JeffHengemuhle
NicoleBerney
AbsorbTech
DavidLeef
DougRoskopf
JimLeef
MikeBond
TonyBalza
AllstateInsurance
ChrisDeBauche
HarperDeBauche
AmericanFamilyInsurance
JeffHansen
ShelleyStewart
Aurora
MyrnaGaeth
BeDoBrands
MattQuandt
BirdDogAutomation
MelissaGregory
BMO
AaronTowns
BrewCityHDI,WTAandSIM-WI
MarioCortez
BrookfieldCentral
BrettGruetzmacher
BrookfieldLaCrosse
AdrienneKrueger
ChristineRoehling
LynneFehrenbacher
PaulGeist
Club101BaseballCharities
SamSeiler
TimWebber
Concurrency
AmyCousland
NathanLasnoski
PaigeWamser
CreativeConstruction
SamAnderson
CreativeInstructionalSolutions
JenniferWolter
DiscoveryWorld
SarahSzymborski
JohnEmmerich
PaulMech
EEF
BethDobrzynski
JessicaGonzalez
ElmbrookParentNetwork
ElizabethTheis
ElmbrookRotary
SandraWysocki
JackNelson
ElmbrookSchools
BobHall
DanScott
JenniferJohnson
MarkHansen
PamCasey
ElmGroveKiwanisClub
RichardSeeling
PaulaKeefer
LawrenceDeLonge
WilliamKeefer
Faith,Hope&Love
HeatherLojeski
FinancialCrimesInvestigator
AprilDevalkaneare
FriendswithFood
SteveKopecky
Froedtert
AliciaBrinkmann
AmyScrobel
AndreaTobin
AngieCofta
AnnGraber
AnnaRiordan
BrittneyPanfil
CaroleWaskow
ChrystalOtto
JaelenYach
JanetPalmatier
KristinJensen
LynneCardinal
MariaCastellanos
MelissaZambito
MichaelChadBonnell
SerraSudemir
ShawnaBoehlen
SueSchoenbeck
TimPetrie
GEHealthcare
BillO'Reilly
GaryNicolas
LukeDelaney
ManojUnnikrishnan
WestonOlmstead
GreatLakesSportsFishing
BrianHaydin
GreenUpSolutions
AndrewWeins
GreenfieldChamber
TracyChampagne
Guthrie&FreyWaterConditioningLLC
SueFrey TraciLukert
HomeTeamEmergy
RyanLettau
HuckeExteriors
BeatriceLaufer
HUSCO
CalebCordova
EricMoehring
JohnHuenink
MarkAtkins
MarkDreikosen
IBAW LoraZuercher
Impact100GreaterMilwaukee
CarlaCummings
ISG,Inc
ChelseaDavis
ChrisHavens
ITS
JenniferRuetz
JimmyDieck
JoshVogt
KForce
RyanConnell
WhitneyWnuk
KoruHealth
KassiBecker
MeghanDavis
Manpower
WilsonLima
Marquette CarleenFreesmeier
MaryKay SandraHoeft
McNamaraMcCarthyFamilyOrganization
JessieNicholson
MEC SteveSeroogy
MichaelBakerInternational GeorgiaVergouornek
Microsynergies
AmandaPrellwitz
Milliman HansShaw
MilwaukeeJournalSentinel
ErinRichards
LaineySeyler
MilwaukeeTool
AidanStead
BrandonTsoumas
BrennenGleason
CalebColbert
CharlesLaning
ConnorSprague
DerekWerchowski
ErikFischer
GregSchroeder
HunterPrins
IanBlankenmeyer
JarridHoeppner
JasonJulius
JeremyRauwerdink
JimMoran
JohnCameron
JoseLoor
KaitlynKasper
KatieCameron
KatieVanWolvelaere
MariaKrutikova
MattSteindorf
MichaelRinaldi
NateMiller
NaveenSivasubramanian
NickNevins
PeteJohnson
RoshanShreeBalachandar
RyanMaxon
SarahWestphal
SeanCasey
SowmyaKethireddy
SteveTworek
SudishnaKarne
TabrezMahamad
VaishnavMayekar
MLGCapital
AaronKrolikowski
DavidBinder
MosaicCreativeStudios
StephanieRogers
MTLHoldings
ErinInhof
KevinRiordan
TonyMallinger
NARI
ChrisGrow
ChristopherGrow TomGies
NuovaEleganza
EliaNavarro
PoweringUp
BethanySeeboth RundellRedesign
JenniferRundell
ScoutingAmerica ChadSorce
SharonLynnWilsonCenter JenniferMoran ReneeWagner
SolymarDigital JavierCenteno
SoutheasternWISchoolsAlliance CathyOlig
StarsFastpitchSoftball ConniePetersen
St.Lukes
JodiDoering
Summerfest JerrodWoods
SummerfestTech
LenaDeLaet
TeamAwesomeCoaching KatieRasoul
TeamRehab
SpencerWall
ViktorGottlieb
TEMPOWaukesha
AngelaCooper
THFKChildandFamilyCenter
NicholeCooper
TransitionsCoaching
ChristySiegle
TrenchTraining
JoelNellis
SteveStark
USGA
AllisonBurns
KellyGrant
Versti
ClarkeSinclair
Veteran'sDayParade
DanRichards
WaterIQ
DanielMedeiros
WaukeshaCounty
AmberBotsch
WCTC
PhyllisKing
WGFWaukeshaCounty
KateWeiland-Moores
NicoleWagner
WisconsinClub SteveKohlmann
WisconsinPhilharmonic MarieLoeffler
WisconsinSportsPerformance
StephenLinzmeier