The sessions are slated for 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., and South Shore Opportunities Inc. is hoping the program will begin on Dec. 19. There will be a Christmas break, with students returning to class on Jan. 3, 2012. The program is slated to finish on March 23.
Krista Harding, executive direct of South Shore Opportunities Inc., says she would like to know before the information sessions how many people are interested in the career exploration program.
“It’s not a traditional classroom,” says Harding. “This is called project-based learning.”
Part of the program involves something called ‘charting your course,’ which is career exploration.
As students find things they’re interested in, they will be doing projects, says Harding.
“We’re going to be looking towards service organizations in the community to see if there are things that are in the community that need to be done,” she says.
Harding says students will do math, science, communications, computer and portfolio development for whichever fields they might be interested in.
Some of the courses could transfer to credits for college programs. How many credits students get will depend on which college program they decide to take.
“People who maybe not enjoyed the traditional learning path may find this the way to open up their future,” Harding says.
Eligible students include those who have their Grade 12 diplomas and have either not gone to a post-secondary school or have not completed their post-secondary educations.
Harding says the purpose is to encourage people to begin their post-secondary educations.
South Shore Opportunities Inc. is in a partnership with Community Services to fund the course.
“It’s a pilot project, and that’s why it’s not costing anyone,” says Harding.
The course can accommodate a maximum of 15 students.
Though an instructor has not yet been hired, Harding says whoever teaches it will have a link to the community. This is important for the project-based aspect.
The instructor is “going to be able to reach into the community college system to have supports on this project-based learning because it’s a whole different concept,” says the executive director.
