Our Unique ApproachÂ
Overcoming Challenges to
Empower Youth for Real-World SuccessÂ
The Learning Gap: Preparing Youth for the Real World Application
One of the biggest challenges youth face today is the gap between what they’re taught in school and the practical skills they need to succeed in the real world. Traditional education often prioritizes memorization over fostering the ability to learn, think critically, and apply knowledge. As Zaretta Hammond highlights, true learning should empower students with the skills to adapt and innovate.
The Career Guidance Crisis: Helping Youth Find Their Path
Many young people face confusion and uncertainty about their future careers, often due to a lack of meaningful guidance and exposure to real-world opportunities. Without proper support, students struggle to identify their strengths and explore potential paths, leaving them feeling unprepared to confidently pursue entrepreneurial or professional opportunities.
The Leadership Void: Preparing Youth to Lead
Many students lack opportunities to develop essential leadership skills, leaving them unprepared to tackle pressing global challenges like climate change and poverty. Without a focus on self-management and proactive problem-solving, youth struggle to grow into the leaders our world needs for lasting change.
The Experiential Learning Gap:
Limiting Student Growth
Traditional education, with its lack of experiential learning, leaves a significant gap in developing students' executive functions. Without hands-on, real-world experiences, students struggle to build essential skills like self-management, collaboration, and adaptability, leaving them under-prepared for the complexities of life beyond the classroom.
Our Learning Objectives
Our curricula are designed to address these challenges by equipping students with the following skills and capabilities.
Career Preparedness: Develop problem-solving and teamwork skills to help students explore and pursue meaningful career paths.
Modern Competencies: Cultivate creativity, critical thinking, and proficiency in digital tools, preparing students for today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world.
Social Growth: Build communication and emotional intelligence, helping students develop people skills and create connections that strengthen their communities.
Global Consciousness: Engage students in projects aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, empowering them to think globally and act locally to make a positive difference.
Why Choose Ideas by Youth?
Traditional education often fails to connect learning with practical application, leaving students unprepared for real-world challenges. Our PBL curricula address these gaps by providing immersive, hands-on learning experiences that equip students to tackle pressing issues, develop social entrepreneurship skills, and make a positive impact on their communities.
Health & Wellness PBL Curriculum
(Grades 3–12)
Become a Community Health Advocate!
Overview: In the Health & Wellness PBL Curriculum, you’ll become a Health Ambassador for your community. Learn about important health issues and take action to improve the well-being of those around you. Whether it’s promoting mental health, raising awareness on social health, or helping others stay physically active, you’ll make a real difference!
Financial Literacy for Future Leaders PBL Curriculum
(Grades 3–12)
Build Your Future!
Overview: Learn how to manage your money, set goals, and become a financial leader with our Financial Literacy for Future Leaders Curriculum! From exploring career opportunities to designing community projects that promote financial independence, you’ll gain valuable skills that will last a lifetime.
Climate Change and Sustainability PBL Curriculum
(Grades 3–12)
Be an Environmental Steward!
Overview: Do you want to make a difference in the fight against climate change? In the Climate Change and Sustainability PBL Curriculum, you’ll identify local environmental challenges and create action plans to address them. Learn to become an environmental leader and inspire others to join your cause!
Community Organizing PBL Curriculum
(Grades 6–12)
Make your voice heard!
Overview: Learn how to become a community advocate with our Community Organizing PBL Curriculum. Identify pressing issues, build leadership skills, and create strategies to make a lasting difference. You’ll explore career paths, learn digital skills, and work with policymakers to create meaningful change.
Urban Farming PBL Curriculum
(Grades 3–12)
Grow change in your community!
Overview: Connect with food systems, explore gardening, and learn how food can shape our community in the Urban Farming PBL Curriculum. You’ll research food challenges and design projects that promote food justice and sustainable living.
Social Entrepreneurship PBL Curriculum
(Grades 3–12)
Create ventures for change!
Overview: Want to make a difference while learning business skills? In the Social Entrepreneurship PBL Curriculum, you’ll learn the fundamentals of business and use them to create ventures that address community needs. Design business plans, conduct research, and pitch your ideas to make an impact.
Digital Art: Crafting Valuable Commodities PBL Curriculum
(Grades 3–12)
Use Creativity for Change!
Overview: Use digital art to make an impact! In this curriculum, you’ll create digital movements, design unique art pieces, and learn about how digital collectibles can inspire change. Show off your creativity and engage others in important conversations about the future.
Empowering Learning Journeys:
Choose How You Engage
We Come to You
Empowering Communities On-Site: Let Us Bring PBL to You
Our expert facilitators bring Project-Based Learning to life through in-person training, empowering your team to create a collaborative and purposeful learning environment. By working side-by-side with your educators, we help transform classrooms into spaces of meaningful learning and engagement.
We Train Your Staff
Collaborative Growth: Training Educators to Lead with PBL
Our team co-facilitates PBL sessions with your instructors, supporting students while equipping your staff to lead PBL independently. We ensure educators have the tools they need to facilitate purposeful, impactful learning experiences.
On Your Own
Empower Yourself: Flexible, Self-Paced PBL Resources
Enjoy convenient, self-paced access to our PBL curricula and training resources. Empower yourself to lead impactful learning experiences from anywhere, with flexible and engaging resources designed to meet your needs.
What Facilitators Are Saying About Our Program
John Gillespie, Facilitator, 2022 Summer Youth Employment Program
"I'm very happy with the experience and learned a lot."
What Students Are Saying About Our Program
Joanna Zhu, Student, Social Entrepreneurship
"I learned so much about building a start-up. The mentors were incredibly helpful and provided us with many resources to get started."
