Challenging, real-life learning experiences build skills—critical thinking, communication, collaboration—that students need as future workers and citizens. Our curricula integrate relevant, project-based learning with academic and career-technical standards and content. We offer youth the opportunity to take on the roles of scientists, media-makers, and other professionals. We also support adults in building their skills to pursue new career paths. Interested? Contact Ilene Kantrov.
Initiatives
We support formal and informal educators in adopting effective instructional practices to better engage students and promote college and career readiness. Our professional developers assist teachers in implementing our curricula with fidelity and build communities of practice to sustain program improvements. And, through national centers and networks, we share resources and curricula. Interested? Contact Tony Streit or Eliza Fabillar.
Putting youth in the driver’s seat of design gives them the chance to develop critical thinking, problem solving, and teamwork skills they will need in the workplace. It also promotes self-expression, allowing youth to make meaning of the world around them and share their visions. We give youth the lead role in challenging design projects, from initial concept to design, usability testing, and launch. Their products—including films, websites, and guides—effectively engage and inform their peers. Interested? Contact Sarita Pillai.
We help build strong partnerships between schools and businesses, higher education, and community agencies that create clear pathways to college and careers. Our programs bring community members into classrooms to enrich learning and take students and teachers out of classrooms to learn from and contribute to their communities. Through these partnerships, students form new career goals, educators learn about the changing demands of workplaces, and communities have an opportunity to strengthen tomorrow’s workforce. Interested? Contact Ilene Kantrov or Joyce Malyn-Smith.
EDC’s research and evaluation helps improve college and career readiness programs and products. We identify new ways to engage youth in meaningful, project-based learning that prepares them to achieve their educational, career, and life goals. Much of our research focuses on issues related to STEM career preparation—including removing obstacles to STEM careers for members of underrepresented groups. Interested? Contact Caroline Parker or Sophia Mansori.