Getting to know the brain and yourself
The six-session BRAINY curriculum incorporates hands-on brain science activities with social-emotional learning skills that support youth mental health and literacy. With readings from the science-based adventure book The Case of the Baffling Brain by Pendred Noyce, each session focuses on a book chapter and contains two activities that involve social-emotional development (SED), and one longer hands-on science activity. Brain science topics such as concussions, the history of neuroscience, and how the brain works give youth a chance to learn in an active, engaging environment.
Resilience skills for life, school, & beyond
In the years since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic we have seen increased numbers of students across the country struggling with their mental health and with interpersonal skills. The Clover for Youth curriculum aims to help students develop skills and strategies to address these challenges. Through the curriculum, youth will participate in activities and discussions that provide the necessary balance as laid out in the Clover Model for Youth Development. This breaks down into four foundational needs for healthy social-emotional development: Active Engagement, Assertiveness, Belonging and Reflection.
Data analysis of diseases throughout history and around the globe
The COVID-19 global pandemic disrupted the lives of youth, but it also showed the importance of data in understanding epidemiology. Data Detectives was created in conjunction with Concord Consortium, and the Jackson Laboratory, 2021, and supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (grant no. 2313212). This six-session, multimedia curriculum empowers middle school students to understand and investigate scientific data to better grasp the nature and spread of pandemics. Combining data science, math, literacy, the history of pandemics, and 21st century skills, the curriculum uses computer and hands-on activities to look at the scientific challenges posed by pandemics that will emerge in their lifetimes.
Hands-on engineering, real-world environmental issues
Despite the presence of engineering standards in the Next Generation Science Standards, most students experience very little engineering in school. Working with The Tech Interactive, 4Leaf partner organizations have created a six-session environmental engineering curriculum that thoughtfully melds design and engineering skills and approaches with specific 21st-century and workforce readiness skills. As youth define the engineering challenge to be tackled, brainstorm solutions, build prototypes, and test and rework their models, they’re practicing skills such as focus, using your voice, teamwork, and perseverance.
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