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

3

Agenda

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

•  Definition •  Identify Opportunities •  Design & Implement Programs

•  Measure & Improve Outcomes •  Resources Offered by TeenLife

4

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

5

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


Community Service

7

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

8

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.

9

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


Summer Programs

11

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

12


•  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

13

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


High School Internships

15

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

16


•  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

17

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.


Gap Year

19

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

20


•  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.

21

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.


Measure & Improve Outcomes

23

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


Resources from TeenLife

25

Family Connection

Activate Enrichment Programs

26

Family Connection

Add Resource Links

27

TeenLife.com

28

Publications

29

TeenLife Blog

30

Write a Review

31

Join TeenLife

32

In Conclusion…

33

Questions?

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

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

Education