Experiential Learning at the High School

I have discussed the value of giving our students "real life" experiences while they are in school.  As a matter of fact, the last educational "disruption" that we discussed talked specifically about the value of schools creating partnerships with community and business groups to make sure stduents do get authentic experiences.  Last year, a group of teachers met over the course of the year to discuss how to reinvent education in Penn-Trafford.  One of the outcomes of the group was a series of experiential learning experiences that the teachers created for their students.  I want to share with you one of those lessons that has now gone into its second year.  Kim Stefkovich teaches business at the high school and has created an awesome experiential learning experience for her students.  She explains it here:

Beginning the first week of school, my Business Administration and Management students began working on a very lengthy project that has been a part of my curriculum for seven years. The project requires the students to complete many tasks that are performed within a company on a daily basis and once the project is completed, the total profit is donated to the American Cancer Society.  Over several weeks, the students were required to elect CEOs and department heads; develop a company name and logo; design a T-shirt and set its cost; create procedures; maintain inventory levels; create a commercial advertising their shirt; and compete against the opposing class.  From the beginning, both teams wanted to surpass last years’ overall total of $4,200 in donations.  When the sales portion of the project started on November 1^st, I realized that this might be the year that all records would be broken.  Given only the month of November to sell, the students organized strategies that took place outside of the building.  The teams set up selling stations at the local Giant Eagle, R Pub and Center Ice in Delmont.  Because of their efforts, both teams sold 705 shirts and earned $7,220 in profit.  In addition, I would also like to thank all of the students and teachers that are involved with the coffee shop located in the high school library for donating their November proceeds to the American Cancer Society. Words cannot describe the amount of effort that my students put in to this project.  They certainly would not have achieved this level of success without coming together and working as a team.  It was amazing to watch them grow and learn as they made their way down the path of achievement. Since this project was implemented in my classroom, it has allowed Penn-Trafford students to donate over $20,000 to the American Cancer Society. As their teacher, I am honored to have worked with such a motivated group of students, and truly appreciate all of the work they put into this project.