Join a discussion on the different ways students can learn through community engagement and discover tools that will help them make good experiential learning decisions. Participants are welcome to describe what’s working and not working in their schools.

1. NAVIANCE SUMMER INSTITUTE 2014
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA

2. 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. 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. 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. 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

6. NAVIANCE SUMMER INSTITUTE 2014 | PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
Community Service

7. 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. 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. 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

10. NAVIANCE SUMMER INSTITUTE 2014 | PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
Summer Programs

11. 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. 12
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

13. 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

14. NAVIANCE SUMMER INSTITUTE 2014 | PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
High School Internships

15. 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. 16
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

17. 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.

18. NAVIANCE SUMMER INSTITUTE 2014 | PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
Gap Year

19. 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. 20
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.

21. 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.

22. NAVIANCE SUMMER INSTITUTE 2014 | PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
Measure & Improve Outcomes

23. 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

24. NAVIANCE SUMMER INSTITUTE 2014 | PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
Resources from TeenLife

25. 25
Family Connection
Activate Enrichment Programs

26. 26
Family Connection
Add Resource Links

27. 27
TeenLife.com

28. 28
Publications

29. 29
TeenLife Blog

30. 30
Write a Review

31. 31
Join TeenLife

32. 32
In Conclusion…

33. 33
Questions?
Visit the TeenLife Booth at NSI!
Find TeenLife in the Naviance Marketplace
#NSI2014