Computing, Data and AI: Skills for Every Winger
Flight Path 2030 is a districtwide transformation designed to help every Red Wing Public Schools student build the knowledge, skills and experiences needed for a rapidly changing world. In grades 8–12, the Winger Flight Paths framework helps students explore their interests, plan intentionally and connect courses and experiences to opportunities after graduation. These supplemental advising materials show how computing, data fluency, responsible AI use and real-world problem-solving can strengthen any Winger Flight Path and help students and families connect courses, internships, student opportunities and postsecondary options to each student’s interests, readiness and goals.
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Why these skills matter:
Employers across nearly every industry expect growing demand for AI and big-data skills, technological literacy, analytical thinking and creative problem-solving. These capabilities can strengthen a student’s preparation for any Winger Flight Path – not only a technology-focused career.
Explore. Apply. Advance.
Students and families should work with an RWHS counselor to develop a plan that meets graduation requirements, is sensitive to a student’s readiness, and is aligned with their short- and long-term goals. For example:
Explore
- Students are encouraged to start with the career areas, questions or problems that already interest them.
- Use RWHS courses to build confidence with computing, data and AI-related skills.
- Check out the Student Opportunities page for additional opportunities available both inside and outside of school.
Apply
- Bring an AICE-related focus to a classroom assignment, internship, capstone or other applied experience.
- Students are encouraged to ask: “How might I apply computational thinking, data fluency or responsible AI use in this context while keeping my own reasoning, creativity and judgment at the center?”
Advance
- Use advanced coursework to build readiness and inform postsecondary choices
- Pursue certifications that demonstrate specific skills and support the student’s postsecondary and career goals.
- Consider AP, PSEO, or other college-level learning that fits the students goals
- Intentionally look for opportunities that will advance your confidence applying these skills in real-world contexts.
Flight Path 2030 Skills Strengthen Every Winger Flight Path
Within the Winger Flight Paths 4-3-2-1 model, computing, data or AI-related learning may be incorporated through a Career Preparation Course, Career-Related Course or Activity, Passion Course or Professional Engagement Opportunity.
Computational thinking, data fluency and responsible AI use are foundational Flight Path 2030 skills that can strengthen learning in every career area. Students may develop them through core and elective courses, internships, capstones, activities and other applied experiences. Students who want to pursue deeper technical study may also choose courses within the AICE Flight Path.
Examples include:
- Machining and manufacturing: Use computational thinking to troubleshoot production processes and use data, embedded technology and automation to support measurement, quality control and process improvement.
- Marketing: Use data to understand audiences and evaluate results, while learning to use AI responsibly for research and content development.
- 2D Arts: Use digital tools to create and revise work while considering originality, attribution and the appropriate role of AI in the creative process.
- Healthcare: Use data to evaluate information and recognize patterns while considering privacy, accuracy, ethics and human judgment.
How internships can be customized
Within the Winger Flight Paths 4-3-2-1 model, an internship can serve as a student’s Professional Engagement Opportunity. An internship does not need to be a technology placement for a student to apply AICE-related skills. Students might map a workplace process, examine how information supports decisions, explore the effects of digital tools or AI, or create an approved reflection or artifact demonstrating what they learned.
Planning for Post-secondary Education
Use advanced coursework to build readiness and inform choices about AP, PSEO, college, technical education, and other postsecondary learning that fits the student’s goals.
The following examples illustrate different ways students can build these skills through two-year and four-year programs:
- Milwaukee School of Engineering: A hands-on, application-oriented university offering programs in engineering, business, computer science and nursing. Through a university-wide initiative, MSOE is integrating applied and responsible AI into every academic program so that all students understand how AI can be used effectively and ethically within their chosen fields.
- Minnesota State College Southeast—Computer Engineering Technology: A two-year program offered at the Winona campus and online that connects computer hardware, programming, data analysis, embedded systems and industrial automation. Students work with technologies such as microcontrollers, programmable logic controllers and process-control systems. Qualifying Red Wing public school graduates may receive tuition, fees and additional support through the Red Wing College Promise.
- North Hennepin Community College—Data Science: A two-year associate degree that prepares students to collect, manage, analyze and communicate data across fields such as business, finance, science and healthcare. The program can be completed in four semesters and provides a transfer pathway into the Data Science B.S. at Metro State University.
- Winona State University—Data Science: Offers both a bachelor’s degree and a minor in data science. Students may pursue data science as their primary field or add data analysis and computational skills to another area of study.
- Minnesota State University, Mankato—Business Analytics: An undergraduate certificate available to students across majors that focuses on using data to support business and organizational decisions. Coursework includes predictive and prescriptive analytics, data mining, visualization, and the use of tools such as R, Python, SQL and Tableau.
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities—Computer Science and Data Science: Offers advanced undergraduate study in computer science and data science, including artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning and data-driven computing. The university’s AI Hub also connects responsible AI education, research and applications across disciplines such as healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture and education.
These examples are intended to illustrate several possible directions and are not a complete list of available programs.
Questions to Inform Your Flight Path
- Which Winger Flight Path is closest to the careers, issues or problems that interest me?
- How are computing, data, digital tools or AI used in that field?
- Which course, internship, activity or postsecondary opportunity could help me take the next step?
Use These Resources Together
- Flight Path 2030: Learn about the districtwide initiative, its goals and expanding student opportunities.
- Flight Path Framework in Red Wing Public Schools: Understand the district’s career exploration and planning framework for grades 8-12.
- 2026-27 High School Course Catalog: Review course descriptions, prerequisites, graduation requirements, and registration information.
- 2026-27 Flight Path Booklet: Explore pathway options and use the 4-3-2-1 model to plan courses, activities, and professional experiences.
- Student Opportunities: Explore scholarships, camps, career-connected experiences and other opportunities available through Flight Path 2030.