Hands-on Technology Experience for Low-Income Kids

“The kids' … behavior while in class was sometimes challenging, therefore it was not clear what would happen at the WOW. As it turned out, at the WOW, they really stepped up- they were articulate, fully engaged, and did an excellent job of presenting the project. Each incorporated their own personality and did not seem at all intimidated by the surroundings. It was like having planted a seed, watering it for weeks with no sign of life, then waking up one day and finding a bloom. Definitely a 'WOW' experience all the way around.” - Citizen Teacher, Illinois

Citizen Schools' mission is "Educating Children, Strengthening Communities." Our vision is to close the opportunity and achievement gap for middle school students from low-income communities and move students onto a successful track, heading toward high school graduation, college attainment, and positions of leadership in their careers and communities. Since its inception in Boston in 1995, Citizen Schools has partnered with middle schools and communities to reimagine the learning day and provide all students with rigorous and engaging experiences that connect students’ current learning to their future. We mobilize a second shift of afternoon educators, who provide academic support, leadership development, and apprenticeships - hands-on projects taught by volunteers from business and civic organizations. By focusing on middle school, Citizen Schools capitalizes on this critical developmental period and inflection point, effectively setting students' sights on graduation, college matriculation, and ultimately a successful career. Citizen Schools also seeks to build a strong and skilled pipeline of scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and technology professionals to fill the national gap in qualified STEM professions. In the 2016-17 school year, Citizen Schools will enroll 4,700 students from disadvantaged urban neighborhoods, 94% of whom are children of color. Our Citizen Teachers continue to be a source of great support for Citizen Schools – not only through financial contributions but especially through their human capital, teaching our students in 10-week, hands-on apprenticeships.

“At the Mini WOW held at Western Digital an employee asked each Girl in Charge what their favorite part of class was. One girl turned and pointed to the class photo on the poster and said, ‘Every week when the students would come together with [our Citizen Teachers], it was like we were a family. And, I really loved that.’” - Citizen Teacher, California

This past December, we celebrated the conclusion of our fall apprenticeships at our WOW!s, held across our network. From Massachusetts to California, Chicago, IL to Houston, TX, New York to North Carolina, we had 392 apprenticeships featured at our WOW!s. These semester-end events are where students are able to show what they’ve learned during their apprenticeship to the community. Here are some of examples of what was on display this December:

• Girls in Charge - This apprenticeship was taught across our network, including at the Jose Hernandez Middle School in California. In this apprenticeship, girls “talk back” to stereotypes and gender-based limitations by developing innovative ideas to make products that will empower girls. These students experimented with the design process to ultimately build, test, and present a prototype of an innovative product at the WOW! In the process, they learned to think like designers as well as learn to empower and support each other while addressing issues that are most important to them as young women.
  
  
• United Airlines Jet Boss - This apprenticeship, taught at Carter G Woodson South Elementary School in Chicago, featured marketing specialists from United Airlines serving as Citizen  Teachers. They introduced business and finance concepts to students, who in turn created their dream airline, decided where it will fly, determined costs, and created a marketing campaign.

• Building the Next Big Tech with TripAdvisor - Students learned about tech businesses and what makes certain ideas become successful companies. The apprenticeship culminated with students pitching group business plans to an elite group of investors at their WOW! In their pitches, students summarized the problem they are attempting to solve with their product, their solution to the problem in the form of their company, their logo, their brand name and the nitty gritty details of their tech businesses such as cost, revenue, and profit.

“At the final WOW a student who had been somewhat disruptive and seemed to be uninterested for a lot of the class time presented the first WOW session and did a phenomenal job. He knew all of the details and was able to answer questions. It was really rewarding to know that we had even managed to teach one of the less enthusiastic kids something.” - Citizen Teacher, California

Citizen Schools is so grateful for the support of our Citizen Teachers and you, our donors. The enthusiasm of our volunteers continues to inspire children and colleagues alike, as they explore new worlds with students and set them on a course for success in high school, college, and careers.

Links:

• Read more about our WOW! season