The Big Reset: Social Entrepreneurs Program
The Big Reset: Social Entrepreneurs Program is a pilot opportunity involving students in 4-6 rural school communities to participate in a Social Entrepreneurial Project that will allow them to build entrepreneurial and social justice skills that will benefit themselves as learners and leaders, their schools, their communities and their world. Based on the results of this program pilot, it is our hope to expand to other school communities in 2022-2023.
Through this Social Entrepreneurs - Deep Learning Project students will be inspired to believe in themselves, their schools, their communities and that no matter where they reside in this world we can all dream it to achieve it.
Through this passion project students will have the opportunity to engage with the 6 Global Competencies (6 Cs) and demonstrate growth and learning in these essential 21st century global competencies.
As well, students will be more engaged as they connect with and learn from various learning partners, engage with new and innovative pedagogical practices, learning environments outside of the traditional classroom, and the opportunity to leverage digital to expand their learning and grow their businesses.
What Are the Benefits of Deeper Learning?
Students who have deeper learning experiences in their classrooms are able to think more critically, communicate more effectively, better collaborate, and are more able to effectively solve problems. But what are some of the benefits beyond these essential life skills?
Students in deeper learning classrooms graduate from high school as more confident, life-long learners, who are more equipped with the knowledge, skills, and mindset they need to succeed and lead productive, fulfilling lives. Whereas, traditional schooling, historically, prepared students to be "good test-takers." Teachers presented information to students and then asked them to recall and regurgitate information for said tests. This outdated and colonial way of educating students is leading to an array of disengaged students who are left to question: "What is School For?" We need engaging learning environments where there is learning for all.
School teams will have the opportunity to work alongside industry leaders to participate in social entrepreneurial project based learning (PBL) with a focus on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals:
1. Research & Select Social Issue(s)
2. Research & Select Charity/Charities
3. Organize Social Enterprise
a. Seed Funding
b. Product, Service or Awareness
c. Organize
4. Build/Sell
5. Year End/Class Celebration
“Globally competent individuals are aware, curious, and interested in learning about the world and how it works. They can use the big ideas, tools, methods, and languages that are central to any discipline (mathematics, literature, history, science, and the arts) to engage the pressing issues of our time. They deploy and develop this expertise as they investigate such issues, recognizing multiple perspectives, communicating their views effectively, and taking action to improve conditions.”
—Veronica Boix Mansilla & Anthony Jackson
Project Based Learning
"Project-based learning is how people work in the real world. We need to let our kids create portfolios of joy." (Ted Dintersmith, 2018)
In PBL students have the opportunity to work on a project over an extended period of time – from a week up to a semester – that engages them in solving a real-world problem or answering a complex question.
They demonstrate their knowledge and skills by creating a public product or presentation for a real audience. As a result, students develop deep content and subject based knowledge as well as the 6 C's (critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication skills). Project Based Learning unleashes a contagious, creative energy among students and teachers.
More Information About the Positive Impact of Project Based Learning:
New Research Makes a Powerful Case for PBL
5 Ways to Get Started With PBL
Using PBL to Immerse Students in Their Community
Social Justice Projects in the Classroom
What is a Social Entrepreneur?
