LEAP for Education

LEAP for Education is a non-profit organization aimed at helping low-income middle and high school students expand their knowledge and interests and empowering them to take control of their lives and education. With the skills they gain at LEAP for Education, they can perform better in school and are ready for college and/or career placement.

Program

Expanding Horizons @ Collins will continue in the 2018 Spring Semester. Community instructors will lead 90-minute mini-courses for ten weeks at Collins Middle School in Salem. There are three curricula to choose from:

• Dream It, Build It: Students will practice the design process through different engineering challenges. Through their explorations, they will select a community problem to solve using the design process. The class will spend the final few weeks working on solutions in teams, which they will present at the LEAP Elective Showcase.
• CSI Collins: Students will have the opportunity to learn real-world science techniques that include collecting evidence, fingerprinting and footprint analysis, and more. Students will consider the question: how do forensics experts solve crimes? The class will work its way through a staged crime to solve, and present on their favorite CSI techniques at the LEAP Elective Showcase.
• Multimedia Art: Salem is a thriving and vibrant city filled with art in many forms — painted utility boxes, murals on downtown buildings, and public art installments like plastic bag jellyfish. In this class, students will learn about the art in their city and explore how to express themselves through different art projects. The session will culminate in a presentation of their art at the LEAP Elective Showcase, where students' favorite pieces will be exhibited.

This opportunity is great for anyone who enjoys working with students and would like to give back to the community. Not interested in leading one of these classes, but would consider assisting? Let us know! The more mentors, the better in a middle school class! Program objectives: Help students build their 21st century skills, make college and career connections, and develop positive relationships with adults.

Schedule

Classes will be on Mondays and/or Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30pm. Classes will meet February 26 to May 17 (not including school vacations) with a showcase on Thursday, May 24.

Volunteer description

Lead the class that interests you! Use curriculum and lesson plans already developed by LEAP staff. Planning support and classroom management support will be provided by LEAP staff and school day staff and paraprofessionals. LEAP will arrange guest speakers and field trips that align with the three themes of the class. LEAP will provide all supplies within the budget. Contact Nancy Napolitano at nnapolitano@leap4ed.org or 978-740-6667 x112.