When Oskaloosa students described their ideal Innovation Hub, they did not start with walls or square footage. They dreamed about sound booths and 3D printers. They imagined flexible meeting rooms, a student-run Airbnb, and a space where a handshake with a business leader might matter as much as a grade. Their ideas are now shaping the district’s search for a permanent downtown home for the growing program.
Oskaloosa High School Principal Jeff Kirby said the district’s vision for the Hub centers on real work with real people.
“The programming that we integrate relies heavily on students doing real work with community leaders and community business owners,” Kirby said. “We really desire looking for a location that’s in close proximity to our business district.”
That proximity matters. Students need to be able to walk to meetings, and business leaders need easy access to students. The goal is to create a space that feels like a place of business, where expectations rise naturally because the environment demands it.
“We desire finding a location that allows us to be more visible and more accessible, and a place that we can kind of call our own,” Kirby said.
Since February, district leaders have shared information about the work of the school’s strategic response team and the purpose behind the search. The effort reflects a broader vision to connect students to authentic, community-based learning experiences while strengthening Oskaloosa’s downtown.
Community response has been swift. Several partners have already stepped forward to offer potential spaces. In total, district leaders have toured eight downtown locations, though specific sites have not been publicly identified.
Kirby sees that interest as a sign of momentum.
“It represents that there is a desire in our community for something like this,” he said. “Our community feels that need for this type of work and to support students in making the next best decision.”
The district is also working closely with its architect, Kerry Weig of 10Fold Architecture + Engineering, to help translate student ideas into practical design concepts.
In recent planning conversations, Weig described listening sessions with students about what they want their future Hub to include.
“They were really interested in large and small group flexibility and collaboration space,” Weig said. Students also asked for “the ability to use that for different levels of communication with community members, for professional development, but also for project development”.
Students imagined a recording studio and sound booth to create content, fabrication areas for textiles and 3D printing, and flexible furnishings that could quickly shift from a large presentation to small team work. They discussed partnering with Spirit Cafe or local vendors to offer food service options, from coffee bars to buffet-style events not just for the Innovation Hub, but for the community as well.
Carrie Bihn, the Innovation Hub facilitator, said flexibility is essential as the program grows.
“Flexibility is a big part of it, being able to accommodate large groups and small groups, many different activities,” Bihn said. She envisions a gathering space that could hold up to 50 students at once, along with smaller breakout areas, movable dividers, and access to presentation technology.
Students have also expressed interest in podcasting and using specialized software for design projects, such as creating T-shirt logos. Bihn said a basic computer lab or access to more advanced tools would support that work.
Beyond physical space, the district is seeking deeper partnerships. Bihn hopes local human resources professionals and business leaders will step in to coach students on interview skills and workplace expectations.
“A video can only do so much,” she said. “We would love to have any human resources from different businesses or someone who’s in charge of hiring” to help students practice skills like interviewing and professional communication.
Kirby said the district is looking for a facility that supports agile project management, with space for groups of two, three, or 10 students, along with private areas for focused work.
“It needs to be inviting,” he said. “We want a space that business leaders and community leaders feel welcomed in.”
The Hub is currently operating in a temporary downtown location through a partnership with MidWestOne Bank. While district leaders are grateful for that support, the space is limited and not designed for long-term growth.
As planning continues, the district is inviting additional community partners to join the effort. Leaders are asking business owners, property holders, and community members who are interested in supporting the Hub to reach out and explore possibilities.
The vision, Kirby said, is larger than a building. It is about creating a place where students step into a professional environment, work alongside mentors, and see their ideas move beyond the classroom.
If the search succeeds, Oskaloosa’s downtown may soon house more than storefronts and offices. It could become the community’s next generation of innovators’ daily workspace.
