Experiential Learning           Funding Requests

Please read over all of the proposal criteria below prior to completing the Experiential Learning application.

Experiential learning (EL) opportunities are authentic practical learning experiences which are intended to connect the curriculum expectations to education and career life planning (Creating Pathways to Success Policy, 2013).  Priority will be given to applications that support this definition of EL.

The purpose of this Call for Proposals (CFP) is to continue to encourage schools to develop innovative community-connected experiential learning opportunities that support student achievement, student engagement and well-being. 

Community-connected experiential learning is an inquiry-based pedagogical approach that helps students deepen their learning by:

• Participating in a rich experience connecting curriculum to the world outside of school.

• Reflecting on those experiences to derive meaning

• Applying their learning to influence their decisions and actions as learners.

Experiential Learning provides:

• A deeper understanding of expectations from the Ontario curriculum and the Kindergarten program; 

• Personally meaningful answers to the questions that frame education and career/life planning: Who am I?   Who do I want to become?   What are my opportunities?   What is my plan for achieving my goals?

• The capacity for reflection and deeper learning (development of global competencies).

Project Criteria

• (Based on funding availability- the application form may close sooner if funds run out).  

• There is a finite amount of funding available so the per-project funding allocation will vary depending on project needs, number of proposals received, and proposed budgets. 

• Funding must be spent by May 31st, 2025.  This includes all quotes, invoices, and receipts.

• Recipients of funding will be asked to contribute photographs from their experience as well as some student reflection pieces and other relevant information relating to the experience.

• Student Involvement as Designer(s) and Planners & Involvement of Community Partner(s)- Student-directed/co-constructed learning opportunities where students have a significant role in the design of their opportunities in collaboration with teachers and community mentors or supervisors will take priority.  Moreover, the community partner(s) is/are actively involved in (and committed to) every stage of the experience – planning, implementation, delivery, and planning for next steps.  Community connections may be at the local, national and/or global level and may be on-site, virtual or a combination.

• Application of the Experiential Learning Cycle  - Students will:

  • • • actively participate in an experience which they may co-create or initiate;

      • reflect on the experience in order to derive meaning from it; and then

      • apply their learning to influence their decisions and actions in various aspects of their lives.

• Fostering Students’ Education and Career/Life Planning -  Students will apply the four areas of inquiry to document, reflect on, and consolidate their learning. 

• Connection to the Curriculum  - may be related to one subject/course or multidisciplinary.

• If your project does not meet these criteria, you may be asked to meet with the Experiential Learning Consultant to discuss your project plan.

• Please note- Laptop requests cannot be funded.

• This school year, Junglesport, Scientist in the Schools and Luv2Groove cannot be funded by the EL budget

Characteristics of Effective Experiential Learning

For questions, please contact: carrie.clancy@ocsb.ca 

Experiential Learning Funds - Call for Proposals will be open September 8th - 30th. All proposals will be considered and available funds will be allocated. If more funds become available, the form will reopen. Please check in the Bi-Weekly Updates for this.