Client Connected Projects Overview
In a strategic effort to increase student Market Value Asset attainment before graduation, client-connected projects are scalable for businesses to engage with students. These projects arm our students with essential skills needed to enter the workforce and, above all, create pockets of authentic learning that connect back to education standards.
Benefits
- Access to underserved talent
- Quality work on low secondary tasks and projects
- Build relationships with students and the community
- Mentorship and teaching has been shown to improve worker success
Role of Client
The role of the clients can be as hands-on as they can manage. For some client projects, the client setups the project prompt and then has a few check-ins before the final deliverable. For others, the client works with the students throughout the project's life, including weekly check-ins. There is no one size fits all approach to client-connected projects. Expectations for both the client and the students are level set at the beginning of the process.
Benefits
- Connect school work to authentic, real-world projects
- Make valuable connections by meeting a wide range of professionals
- Explore different career types and see jobs that you didn't know existed
- Work on transferable skills that can be applied to all classes
Role of Student
Students are responsible for the project from start to finish. They have to gather requirements, set a timeline, and complete the final artifact. Students work to complete the project tasks, often leaning on the advice of the client.
Benefits
- Authentic engaging projects that can link back to standards
- Connect classroom concepts to skills used in the workforce
- Build relationships with the business community
Role of Educator
Client projects are an expansion of the idea of authentic project-based instruction. Here the educator will step into the role of a facilitator, helping students move through the project and connecting them with resources when they get stuck. Resources might include the client, outside professionals, or online content.
Resources
Kauffman Foundation
South KC Chamber of Commerce
PREP-KC
Detailed outline of a client project. (TODO)