Authentic Lessons for 21st Century Learning
A 12‑week, 12‑lesson school program called "Hopeful Minds" taught by trained staff increased students’ hope, resilience, and adaptive coping. Higher levels of hope were linked to stronger self-regulation and protective factors, offering schools a structured approach to supporting student well-being. Read more »
A short, hands-on CSI-themed science camp increased students’ science self-efficacy and motivated them to pursue additional STEM activities throughout the year. This brief outlines the camp model, highlights long-term outcomes, and provides guidance for school-based replication. Read more »
This resource serves as a guide for planning and facilitating a job shadowing or industry tour event to give students hands-on experiences in career fields that interest them. During each job shadowing event, students travel to job sites to explore common aspects of a career through experiential learning.... Read more »
Created by: Karen Scheaffer
Date Updated: October 16th, 2025
This intervention explores how voluntary, peer-led book clubs can improve students' attitudes toward reading. Even minimal participation in a book club can positively impact reluctant readers, and book clubs are a practical literacy intervention. Whittingham and Huffman (2009) investigated the impact... Read more »
Created by: Karen Scheaffer
Date Updated: September 30th, 2025
A four-day entrepreneurial project helped secondary students enhance metacognition and foster a growth mindset, indirectly improving career-choice readiness. The program emphasizes creativity, real-world application, and reflective learning. Read more »
This intervention brief explores the study titled "Hands-On Summer Camp to Attract K–12 Students to Engineering Fields" by Muhittin Yilmaz, Jianhong Ren, Sheryl Custer, and Joyce Coleman, which evaluates the impact of a week-long engineering summer camp designed to engage high school students in STEM... Read more »
Future MEDIC is a 5-week, medical student–led program for underserved 8th graders, featuring hands-on healthcare activities. It boosts knowledge and engagement, though it didn’t increase career interest. Students enjoyed interactive learning. Read more »
This brief explores how integrating Kahoot! in rural Earth Science classes increased student engagement and reduced anxiety. While test scores didn’t significantly improve, students reported higher motivation and focus during lessons. Read more »
This collection of pre-calculus lessons integrates the use of calculators to support students in problem-solving and conceptual understanding. Read more »
This brief explores the impact of classroom management training on teachers' skills and well-being. The study found that such training significantly improves classroom management abilities and reduces symptoms of reality shock, leading to improved student engagement, and better teacher retention. Read more »
