Program Summary
Length: 15 weeks
Setting: In School
Ages: Middle school students at Agnes Cotton Academy
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Resource: VentureLab Career Exploration & Innovation program
Culminating Event: Student showcase
Outcome Highlights: “The biggest way the program changed me was it made me really think about my future and what I need to do.“ – Agnes Cotton student
Agnes Cotton Academy is a charter school in San Antonio, Texas that serves students from PK-8. Their mission is to transform SAISD into a national model urban school district where every child graduates prepared to be a contributing member of the community. With a diverse student population that is 95% minority and 90% economically disadvantaged, Agnes Cotton is committed to providing high-quality education and opportunities for all students.
Through a 15-week in-school program that implemented VentureLab’s Career Exploration & Innovation curriculum, middle school students at Agnes Cotton gained valuable skills and insights to shape their future careers.
Educators' Reflections
“This group of students is already thinking about high school and college!” said Adam Rodriguez, commenting on the mindset shift of 8th-grade students who completed CE&I.
Adam Rodriguez, the program instructor, exemplified the “Resourcefulness“ mindset throughout the program. He let student interests lead the way, cleverly adjusting to their needs and arranging for professionals from various fields to meet with students. Adam’s approach allowed for deep, meaningful career exploration.
Educators and adults supporting youth are the most entrepreneurial people we know. They empathize, problem-solve, creatively use resources, and adapt to change.
Adam Rodriguez praised the program for inspiring students to think critically about their futures. He exemplified the “Resourcefulness“ mindset by leveraging his personal and professional networks to connect students with a diverse range of professionals for interviews.
Unique Program Features and Real Impact
Adam and his team went above and beyond to provide the best and most engaging learning experience possible for their students:
- Arranged professional interviews via Zoom, allowing students to ask eye-opening questions about various careers
- Focused on careers available through local high school magnet programs, helping students make informed decisions about their educational paths
- Utilized Canva for student presentations, enhancing digital literacy skills
- Encouraged students to innovate by combining two careers, fostering creativity and critical thinking
Putting Innovation into Career Discovery
Students reported increased interest in career exploration and innovation after the program.
- Students developed comprehensive career research presentations
- Learned to embrace failure and ask challenging questions
- Improved public speaking and digital presentation skills
- Increased interest in various career paths, including STEM fields
- Enhanced problem-solving abilities through career innovation projects
- Boosted creativity by combining different career paths
Culminating Event with the Community
For the final showcase, students presented their career findings and pitched their innovative career ideas. Adam created a display page featuring each student’s photo, prospective high school, and a hyperlink to their career presentation, allowing teachers and professionals who couldn’t attend to engage with the students’ work.
The event demonstrated the students’ growth in public speaking, critical thinking, and career awareness. It also highlighted the program’s impact on students’ future planning, as evidenced by this student quote:
“The biggest way the program changed me was it made me really think about my future and what I need to do.“
Click to enlarge the images on the sample student presentation below:
Conclusion
This partnership between Agnes Cotton Academy and VentureLab demonstrates how we can inspire and equip the next generation of diverse innovators and changemakers. The program’s success in improving students’ career awareness, digital skills, and critical thinking showcases the power of entrepreneurship education in fostering essential life skills.
Do you want similar outcomes for your staff and students?
Schedule an exploratory call with Scott Mann, our Director of Education, or contact us about your needs.
