School-Community Partnerships

This project reviewed Parametric Technology Corporation’s (PTC) 3-D solid modeling lesson plans and aligned the activities to U.S. national science, mathematics, technology, and career standards. Partners in Virginia public schools and the British School of Washington are developing design-based science and technology education lessons that illustrate the use of PTC software (Pro/DESKTOP and Pro/ENGINEER) within the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) “Material World Modules” Program.

In collaboration with EDC’s Education, Employment, and Community Programs, ERO has developed the Ford PAS program. Ford PAS includes an interdisciplinary high school curriculum that challenges students academically and develops their problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills. The program links classroom learning to future opportunities in business, engineering, and technology, and motivates young people to succeed in college and careers. These links are forged through innovative partnerships with business, higher education, and the community.

CSA is the community-mobilization component of USAID/Ghana’s Quality Improvement in Primary Schools program, an initiative under Ghana’s Free Compulsory University Basic Education program. CSA aims to improve community participation in more than 300 primary schools throughout Ghana. This highly participatory effort strives to build an environment of mutual respect, responsibility, and action among community members, schools, and education administrators as they work to meet the learning needs of Ghanaian children.

Imagination Place! was a three-year project to develop an interactive, on-line design space for use in homes and informal settings by girls ages 8 to 14, although it is open to all. Using the latest Internet technologies, Imagination Place! engaged girls in collaborative design activities to explore the worlds of engineering and invention in their everyday lives.

In collaboration with the National Institute of Out-of-School Time (NIOST), EDC’s Center for Science Education worked with six science centers around the country to introduce design-engineering activities into afterschool programming. CSE developed the curricula for the engineering projects; NIOST provided technical support for their implementation. Through monthly workshops, science centers introduced the curricula to program leaders of participating community agencies.

This project creates informal learning opportunities in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology, using the ancient African civilization of Nubia as the context. Components include an exhibit, educational materials (hands-on kits, videos, and discussion guides), a Web site, a CD-ROM, community outreach, and professional development programs for educators in museums, community groups, schools, and libraries.

Young people in grades five through eight face increasing literacy needs and heightened pressures to engage in high-risk behaviors. Read for Health was a curriculum development and dissemination effort that integrated adolescent literacy with healthy development skills. Project staff created student materials and a facilitator’s guide for use in classroom and community settings, an interactive student game for use in the classroom and at home, and a video for parents and teachers to help them facilitate discussions of sensitive issues with early adolescents.

In collaboration with EDC’s Center for Educational Resources and Outreach, EEC promotes and supports the Ford PAS program. Ford PAS includes an interdisciplinary high school curriculum that challenges students academically and develops their problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills. We provide ongoing technical assistance for all schools and partners implementing Ford PAS by hosting an interactive Web site and toll-free hotline, designing and conducting an annual national networking and training conference, and offering professional development activities.

In collaboration with EDC’s Center for Educational Resources and Outreach, EEC has developed the Ford PAS program. Ford PAS includes an interdisciplinary high school curriculum that challenges students academically and develops their problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills. The program links classroom learning to future opportunities in business, engineering, and technology, and motivates young people to succeed in college and careers. These links are forged through innovative partnerships with business, higher education, and the community.

EDC delivers intensive professional development for afterschool providers in the integration of academic content in afterschool programming. Created in partnership with the Afterschool All-Stars, Citizen Schools, CNYD, and Foundations Inc., the trainings emphasize experiential learning approaches, positive youth development principles, and on-going staff leadership and development.