Virtual Summer Bridge…it’s in the bag!

Some examples of items to be included in the “PBC in A Bag” totes - Snacks, Stem and art supplies, books, a Summer Bridge tee shirt, and more!

No, seriously – in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, Summer Bridge students will not be on Campus at PBC this year. But for those community partners willing to take a virtual learning journey with us, PBC will offer a Virtual Summer Bridge program throughout the summer via a mix of real-time and self-guided offerings, with all of the materials needed to complete planned activities (along with age-appropriate books, snacks, tee shirts, and other swag) delivered to participants in a PBC tote bag.

In conversation with our partner organizations, it was clear that hosting Sumer Bridge in this virtual format would require extra effort to ensure that students had a chance to truly remain engaged. It had to be expertly tailored to the needs of students who might already be struggling with, confused by, or just plain burnt out on distance learning. We continue to hear that it was a long, confusing, and often-bumpy experience for students, parents, and faculty as they navigated the challenges of teaching and learning in the unfamiliar world of virtual instruction required in the midst of a global pandemic.

With this in mind, the PBC Program Team did significant research and planning to develop the Virtual Summer Bridge curriculum that incorporates a variety of check-ins, challenges, creative outlets, brain breaks, and games. At the same time, the Program Team is preparing to spend time far outside of their own comfort zones by facilitating positive group dynamics and hands-on learning from many physical miles away.

21st Century Skills Illustration.Courtesy of Battelle for Kids - p21.org — 21st Century Skills Illustration.
Courtesy of Battelle for Kids - p21.org

While it certainly isn’t the spring or summer that any of us had hoped for at the beginning of the year, it has repeatedly underscored that young people and adults all need to spend time developing and honing their 21st Century skills. Critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, technology literacy, and flexibility are some of the first things that come to mind when thinking about what we have all needed to manage the stressors and dynamic environment of the present – and future.

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” -Benjamin Franklin

The concept of project-based learning has been around for ages. In fact, project-based learning existed long before formal schooling became the norm across the globe. Before the emergence of Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences ever showed up in educational theory circles, The Project Method was being touted as a way to overcome “assembly line education” that some felt had overtaken American classrooms and curricula.

Regardless of its history or origins, project-based learning is one of the approaches used to include experiential education in the modern classroom, and is often cited as a way to solidify instructional concepts and help students develop 21st Century Skills alongside the designated core curriculum. Additionally, there seems to be evidence that, when best practices are applied, PBL can elevate student performance achievement in high-poverty communities.

At PBC, project-based learning has long been a central part of our Summer Bridge Program, to supplement and enhance students’ literacy and STEM instruction during the week they spend at our Blairstown Campus. In the past, our PBL challenges have covered a range of topics, from pollution and environmental justice quandaries, to discussions around current civic issues in participants’ communities.

This year, our Program team is working to create yet another iteration of PBL – service learning. A subset of project-based learning, service learning is “an approach to teaching and learning in which students use academic and civic knowledge and skills to address genuine community needs.”

According to the National Service Learning Clearinghouse, service-learning can benefit both students and communities by “building effective collaborative partnerships between schools or colleges and other institutions and organizations; meeting community needs through the service projects conducted; and providing engaging and productive opportunities for young people to work with others in their community.” Essentially, when implemented intentionally, it can truly be a win-win for students and the community organizations they serve.

Be sure to stay tuned for PBC’s service-learning adventures during Summer Bridge 2020!