nsi 2014: learning by doing: community service, summer programs, internships, and gap years

NAVIANCE SUMMER INSTITUTE 2014 PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA

NAVIANCE SUMMER INSTITUTE 2014 | PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA

Learning by Doing

Experiential Learning Options for Teens Marie Schwartz

Founder & CEO, TeenLife Media

July 16, 2014

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Agenda

•  Why Experiential Learning is Important •  Conduct Assessment •  Opportunities by Category:

•  Definition •  Identify Opportunities •  Design & Implement Programs

•  Measure & Improve Outcomes •  Resources Offered by TeenLife

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Why Experiential Learning is Important

•  Raises awareness of skills that students will need for their future

•  Builds self-confidence, work readiness, and clarity about interests and goals

•  Has a positive impact on students’ academic interests

•  Imparts new knowledge and skills that matter to employers

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Conduct Assessment

•  List non-academic enrichment activities/requirements in your school

•  Determine # and % of students engaged in these activities each semester

•  Conduct student survey about summer & out-of-school activities

•  Ask parents what they need help finding •  Research options offered by peer schools

NAVIANCE SUMMER INSTITUTE 2014 | PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA

Community Service

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Definition: Community Service

•  School Year vs. Summer •  Group vs. Individual •  Short Term vs. Long Term •  Local vs. Abroad •  Service Learning vs.

Community Service •  Volunteer Internship

Experiences

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Identify Opportunities

•  Define optimal experience for your students.

•  Establish/Review your community service policy.

•  Identify in-school and local volunteer options.

•  Explore school-sponsored community service trips or programs.

•  Determine/Establish faculty and/or PTA support.

•  Search TeenLife.com and other websites.

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Design & Implement Program

•  Review/approve policy •  Establish partnerships with local

non-profits •  Offer Service Learning content or

curriculum •  Determine tracking requirements

(if any) •  Assign resources to support

students •  Host a Community Service Fair •  Tell TeenLife to add your non-

profit listings

NAVIANCE SUMMER INSTITUTE 2014 | PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA

Summer Programs

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Definition: Summer Programs

•  More than 5,000 summer programs for middle & high school students

•  Local vs. overnight •  One to eight weeks •  Offered by Colleges, Schools, and

independent companies •  Broad range of interest categories

and program content

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Identify Opportunities

•  Search “Enrichment Programs” on Family Connection

•  Search TeenLife.com •  Explore programs offered in your

community •  Research summer activities

listed in Naviance student survey •  Get suggestions from coaches

and teachers •  Research funding sources

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Design & Implement Program

•  Discuss summer plans with parents/students

•  Recommend areas of exploration/skill-building

•  Promote resources for finding programs, including local summer camp fairs

•  Distribute fund-raising ideas or hold a fund-raiser

•  Advocate for students who need scholarships

•  Distribute TeenLife Guide to Summer Programs

NAVIANCE SUMMER INSTITUTE 2014 | PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA

High School Internships

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Definition: High School Internships

•  School Year vs. Summer •  Interviewing/networking skills

required •  Job skills not required •  Shorter duration than a job (60

hours) •  Requires support from a parent

or teacher •  Requires training and

mentorship by the employer •  Highly-valued by students and

parents alike

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Identify Opportunities

•  Identify local employers and professional associations

•  For profit or non-profit •  Engage vendors and service

providers at your school •  Engage parents and alumni •  Search websites like

Internships.com and Idealist.org

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Design & Implement

•  Teach students how to create a resume and apply for a job or internship.

•  Dedicate a faculty or parent resource to assist students.

•  Partner with associations to host a Career & Internship Fair.

•  Consider offering a course/program to seniors before graduation.

•  Distribute TeenLife Guide to Finding Jobs & Internships.

NAVIANCE SUMMER INSTITUTE 2014 | PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA

Gap Year

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Definition: Gap Year

•  Year of exploration/learning before college

•  Structured or unstructured •  Benefits include greater focus,

engagement, and success in college

•  Wide range of programs offered in US and abroad

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Identify Opportunities

•  Gather information from alumni and colleges attended by your students

•  Understand costs & funding options

•  Search Enrichment Programs in Family Connection

•  Search TeenLife.com •  Explore AGA and USA Gap

Fair websites. •  Speak to an independent gap

year advisor.

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Design & Implement

•  Invite a knowledgeable speaker to a staff meeting.

•  Offer a gap year information session/webinar for parents & students.

•  Distribute resources on gap year education.

•  Tell students and parents to search on TeenLife.com.

•  Promote local Gap Year Fairs. •  Distribute TeenLife Guide to

Gap Year Programs.

NAVIANCE SUMMER INSTITUTE 2014 | PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA

Measure & Improve Outcomes

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Measure & Improve Outcomes

•  Correlate involvement in experiential learning activities with school outcomes – by student and overall

•  Measure satisfaction with in-school activities and use feedback to improve programs

•  Ask alumni what enrichment activities during the high school years had the most impact

NAVIANCE SUMMER INSTITUTE 2014 | PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA

Resources from TeenLife

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Family Connection

Activate Enrichment Programs

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Family Connection

Add Resource Links

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TeenLife.com

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Publications

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TeenLife Blog

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Write a Review

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Join TeenLife

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In Conclusion…

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Questions?

Visit the TeenLife Booth at NSI! Find TeenLife in the Naviance Marketplace #NSI2014