People learn by doing. Software development, of course, is no exception. Like any craft, practice is the true path to mastery.

That’s why instructors within Green River College’s Applied Baccalaureate in Software Development place a great deal of emphasis on project-based learning. We believe preparing students for the world of work means giving them opportunities to build software products for real clients that solve real problems.

Notably, we also put in an Agile spin on project-based learning by teaching Scrum, a set of principles and practices that help teams deliver products in short cycles, enabling fast feedback, continual improvement, and rapid adaptation to change.

IT 355 Agile Development Methods is one course within our applied baccalaureate program that captures this distinct focus on Agile Scrum project-based learning. During this brisk 10-week course, students build a piece of working software that delivers value to a real-world client.

Students work in self-directed teams and deliver product increments every two weeks to their clients. The emphasis on Scrum, in particular, means students participate in Scrum activities (sprint planning meetings, daily Scrum meetings, and sprint retrospectives) and assume Scrum roles within their respective teams (Product Owner, Scrum Master, Developer). At the end the course, teams present their products to an audience of faculty, staff, peers, and industry partners.

Over the years, IT 355 students have built an impressive range of products for non-profits, small to medium-sized companies, and early-stage startups in need of an MVP (minimum viable product).

Example products that have emerged from the course include a website that teachers can use to measure the emotional well-being of their students (featured on King5 News) and a mobile app for coaches at a non-profit that offers boxing exercise therapy to reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Why does this matter? We’re currently looking for clients for the upcoming spring quarter—your chance to make an impact in the lives of students! If you have a software project in mind and would be interested in collaborating with IT 355 students at Green River to make your idea a reality, we’d love to hear from. Startups, non-profits, or established companies are welcome to inquire.

The spring quarter runs from April 1^st to June 14^th. At minimum, clients should plan on spending one hour every two weeks with their student team (though weekly meetings are ideal, if possible; the more feedback clients can provide, the better). There is no cost to participate.

Interested? Send an email to Tina Ostrander at tostrander@greenriver.edu.