Enrich, Inspire & Engage at REACH
Empowering Student's Voice
Communications can open up a world of new possibilities
Building strong communication skills is a key ingredient in your student's success. That's why the REACH Foundation has partnered with LifOpps Learning Labs since 2021 to offer hands-on, engaging, and project-based learning experiences! The Learning Labs have been offered at 12 PYLUSD schools since 2021.
Building a foundation for success
Supporting REACH Foundation Means Supporting Your Community
In today’s fast-paced and complex world, understanding money management and entrepreneurial skills are critical to preparing students for the challenges and opportunities they will face as adults. Here's why this Learning Lab is important:
1. Builds Financial Literacy at a Young Age
Many young adults struggle with basic financial concepts, such as budgeting, saving, and understanding the difference between needs and wants. By introducing these concepts in 4th–6th grade, students gain early exposure to skills that can help them make informed decisions about money throughout their lives.
2. Encourages Entrepreneurial Thinking
The program inspires creativity, innovation, and problem-solving by allowing students to brainstorm, design, and market their own products or ideas. This entrepreneurial mindset helps them think outside the box and fosters confidence in tackling new challenges and problem solving.
3. Teaches Teamwork and Collaboration
In today’s interconnected world, the ability to work well with others is essential. Students collaborate in teams to create, promote, and sell their products, learning the importance of communication, compromise, and shared responsibility.
4. Develops Real-World Skills
Students apply math, communication, and critical thinking skills in meaningful, hands-on ways. From calculating budgets and profits to presenting ideas to an audience, the activities mirror real-world scenarios that prepare them for future academic success.
5. Builds Confidence and Leadership
By taking on roles such as director, lab manager, lab assessor, or feedback giver, students strengthen their leadership abilities and discover their unique strengths. These experiences build self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment as they see their hard work come to life in the final Mini Market Showcase.
6. Promotes Smart Financial Habits
Learning the importance of saving and investing early instills positive habits that can lead to financial independence and stability in adulthood.
The Mini Money Management Learning Labs equips students with foundational knowledge and skills they will use for the rest of their lives. It’s not just about creating a product—it’s about creating a mindset for success!
Donate & Sponsor a Student
As a sponsor of REACH Foundation, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of those we serve. Your support will help us to expand our programs and services, reach more people in need, and make a lasting difference in our community. Help us provide scholarships for students who might not otherwise have access to this transformative learning experience. Together, we can create opportunities that shape bright futures—click on the link below to donate today!
Unlock your student's potential
What Your Child Will Experience at a CWC Learning Lab
Preparing our youth with essential communication and leadership abilities is our top priority. That's why we're thrilled to offer the LifOpps Communicating with Confidence Learning Labs.
These student-led laboratories provide an immersive, supportive environment where students explore topics they're passionate about through the lens of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math). More than just lecturing, these labs encourage active learning by having students perform roles in mock business scenarios.
Through an iterative process of learning, doing, and leading, students develop crucial 21st century skills like:
- Confident public speaking
- Effective feedback communication
- Creativity and self-expression
- Collaboration with peers
- Critical thinking
With guided feedback, they gain self-knowledge while honing abilities to articulate their ideas clearly and lead discussions on themes that genuinely interest them.
The National Science Teachers Association emphasizes the importance of such constructivist, hands-on STEAM learning experiences that are:
1. Active and student-driven, not passive
2. Motivating students' beliefs and interests
3. Promoting social interaction and collaboration
4. Contextualizing knowledge in real-world applications
Our Communicating with Confidence Labs exemplify these best practices, creating an empowering atmosphere for students to develop invaluable skills.
Don't just take our word for it - hear from the students themselves about how these labs are transforming their confidence below.
We can't wait for your child to find their voice at the Communicating with Confidence Learning Labs as we invest in their future success.
Talented & Terrific Tynes Students
What students will learn in 10 Labs
STUDENT OUTCOMES & LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- How to give a 3-5-minute presentation
- How to Listen effectively to connect and engage with others
- How to Give Feedback in a way that others will listen and learn from you
- How to speak spontaneously and inspire through personal stories
- How to take initiative and lead others
SKILLS STUDENTS WILL PRACTICE DURING THE LAB:
- Overcome the nervousness they feel when speaking to engage in collaborative discussions, building on the ideas of others and expressing their own ideas. (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1)
- Prepare, organize and present their ideas and stories in an effective way, having read, researched information to share and explore ideas under discussion. (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1.A)
- Listen with positive intentions, follow and carry out their assigned functional or leadership roles. (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1.B)
- Review ideas expressed, draw conclusions and offer advice to help others grow and improve. (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1.D)
- Participate, pose and respond to questions that contribute to the discussion, and possibly lead a discussion or lab meeting (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1.C)
- Through reflection exercises students will gain self-knowledge, self-agency, efficacy, and empathy.
- Most students will experience what leadership is about, the actions involved and given opportunities to develop their leadership skills.
Experience project-based learning that is engaging and fun
What are students saying about the learning lab?
Evelyn, Student
After completing the Learning Lab during the summer of 2021, Evelyn shared this story in the fall. (The content has been paraphrased for brevity.)
"I recently joined a club called Cyber Patriots/Cyber Security at my school. I think the Communicating with Confidence Learning Lab helped me a lot in giving my speech and having enough confidence to do so, so thank you!
I applied to be a Officer and gave a speech in front of 80+ people!! I was elected as 1 of 2 secretaries!
The Learning Lab have given us so many opportunities this year including presenting at the Empowered: Women in Industry District Event. We've grown a lot, not only in our confidence and public speaking skills, but also mentally and personally.
Thank you so much! I hope 2022 will be an even better year for the REACH Foundation."
Angela, Student
"One thing I've learned is that it is better to learn how to communicate correctly sooner rather than later, as the use of communications will always remain an important part of our future."
Makhayla, Student
"Learning to take initiative, learning about how to be confident with speaking, and learning how to give feedback in a way that others can use to help themselves."
Evelyn, Student
The Learning Lab allows for students to expand and develop their communications skills while in a safe environment so that even if they're nervous or make a mistake, it's ok, and they know no one will judge them for that. It allows students to have fun while learning and to think deeply about STEM topics and practice their writing skills when preparing their speeches using the Communicating Outline Checklist.
Daniel, Student
I enjoy how it's structured. How there are certain things that we do every day, the games. How we get to learn about new things every day with the speeches.
Student guidelines and protocols:
At the LifOpps Learning Labs, we are committed to providing a positive and valuable learning experience through our Communicating with Confidence Class. To ensure that your student(s) will achieve the expected learning outcomes, please review the following guidelines:
Students are expected to attend every Lab and give their best efforts. Students will be encouraged to speak about topics that interest them, especially topics they are learning in school. Students will have access to the Learning Lab documents, PDFs and worksheets to help them work efficiently and effectively.
For in-person Learning Labs Student Expectations:
- Be prepared to learn, engage and give your best effort
- Be on time
- Be respectful and show kindness to everyone.
- Take initiative and volunteer for roles.
- Put away iPhones, laptops, iPads, and all devices to limit distractions. Thank you for your cooperation!
At LifOpps, we understand that circumstances may arise that require a refund, although this infrequently occurs. Please review our refund policy below:
LifOpps Learning Lab Guarantee:
1. LifOpps Guarantee:
- If a student registers and requests a refund within 3 days after the start of the class (after attending two classes), LifOpps will issue a full refund.
- If a student is unable to attend any of the classes, and LifOpps is notified via email within 3 days after the start of the class, LifOpps will issue a full refund.
2. Refund Amount:
- If a refund request is made within the eligible period of 3 days , the refund will be processed for the full tuition fee paid, less the e-transaction PayPal fees ($5.00) for the class.
3. Non-Refundable Situations:
- No prorated refunds will be provided for students who’ve missed classes or for requests made after the 3rd day window has closed.
4. Excused Absences: When a student is planning to be absent, please send an email to info@lolearninglabs.com. The LifOpps facilitators will help your student catch up. In addition, your student will also receive support from their classmates.
Our facilitators and staff have invested a significant amount of time to plan for a successful and productive experience for your students. We are thankful for the opportunity to work with your students. Thank you so much for your cooperation and support!
We welcome your comments and suggestions at info@lolearninglabs.com.