SUMMER SKILLS PROGRAM

Let’s “make” better students together!

Together we can increase student enrollment, retention, and attendance!  Our unique program equips incoming 9th grade students with life and maker skills, preparing them with essential and fundamental abilities at an introductory level.  By offering our ready-to-use curriculum and ongoing support, we aim to establish a sustainable and successful program for students to learn a breadth of essential skills in just a few weeks.

Program Overview

• • Duration: Two AM classes running concurrently for four weeks (half day). A two week (all day) option is available for four classes per day (two AM and two PM). 
  • Delivery: Up to 25 students per class, led by two district-appointed teachers in standard classrooms. 50 students served per pair of teachers. Can be easily scaled to serve more students!
  • Curriculum: Easy-to-use, modular lessons covering essential hands-on maker skills, problem-solving, teamwork, and foundational life skills.
  • Support: Teacher on-boarding and training, digital teaching guides, class curriculum, materials lists, support via email, and scheduled online meetings.

Program Objective

• • To help students acquire basic life skills that are not necessarily taught at home or school. 
  • To guide students in being more confident and secure in themselves and in the world around them as they enter high school.
  • To show the students the world of “making things” by learning to use basic tools and materials. 
  • To support teachers in helping students become life-long learners in a hands-on environment. 
  • To make more engaged, more prepared, and more well-rounded 9th graders!

By achieving these goals, we help create a better student by equipping them with basic knowledge in a guided format that gives students real-world experience in Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity. Successful completion of this program benefits the student, the school, their parents, and the community!

We provide everything you need to launch, grow, AND sustain this program: a ready-to-use modular curriculum, structured teacher training, comprehensive guides, and the support to ensure long-term success.

Benefits for Students and Schools

1. 1. We emphasize student engagement. Engaged students statistically have high attendance and do better in school.
   2. Students are guided through fundamental skills that extend beyond the academic setting.
   3. Any teacher, in any classroom, can use our program. No expensive or specialized equipment necessary.

Life & Maker Skills Modules

1. INTRODUCTION TO LIFE SKILLS
   1. 1. Describes the course purpose and outlines of all the modules
      2. Explains the depth component and grades as future income
      3. Creating the Genetic Journal – Your own Wikipedia
2. SOCIAL MEDIA & THE INTERNET
   1. 1. Truth, lies, addiction, and the dangers of AI.
      2. Social media addiction. Bullying. Your posts and your future
      3. Phishing & phone scams and email fraud. VPNs & WiFi connections
3. THE “SEAS” OF SUCCEESS
   1. 1. Critical Thinking – logical fallacies, misinformation, finding truth.
      2. Communication & Collaboration – speaking, presenting, and listening
      3. Creativity – Expressing yourself by creating virtual and physical things.
4. FOOD & NUTRITION
   1. 1. The basics of nutrition, food, supplements, and drugs.
      2. Cooking basics and understanding ingredients.
      3. Real food vs. factory food. How to eat well.
5. PHYSICAL HEALTH
   1. 1. Sleep and recovery – the most important subject.
      2. Fitness and exercise basics – proven techniques for becoming durable & strong
      3. How staying fit can help you become successful.
6. MENTAL HEALTH
   1. 1. What really affects mental health. Substances, screens, sobriety, socializing. 
      2. How to deal with difficult situations and maintain mental health.
      3. How to find sustainable joy in life. Nature / meditation / getting help.

1. INTRODUCTION TO MAKING
   1. 1. What is “making things” and why it is important to everyone’s future success.
      2. The opportunities in hands-on skills personally and professionally. 
      3. Promote the school’s CTE courses and other career pathways.
2. PERSONAL SAFETY
   1. 1. Why PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is so important.
      2. First-Aid understanding and basics.
      3. Being safe in any environment. Reacting to emergencies. 
3. 2D TO 3D MODELING
   1. 1. Introduction to 2D concept development / design. 
      2. What is Computer Aided Design / Drafting and how it is used.
      3. Transitioning from 2D to 3D design.
4. PROTOTYPING BASICS
   1. 1. What is prototyping? Tools, techniques, and outcomes.  
      2. Making an idea come to life. Virtually and physically.
      3. All the necessary steps in creating a simple prototype.
5. MEASURING & MATERIALS
   1. 1. Why math, measuring, and materials are important in every part of life.
      2. The basics of the raw materials and components to create anything.
      3. Using measuring tools and common systems of measurement.
6. ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS
   1. 1. How to take an idea and make it realistic. 
      2. Creating your own brand and identity.
      3. Developing, testing, and marketing products.