This fall, PEF’s Middle Grades Initiative, Spark, engaged a record-breaking 125 students from seven Philadelphia-area schools: Carver Middle School, E.W. Rhodes Elementary School, Hopkinson School, Middle Years Alternative, Mitchell Elementary School, Samuel Gompers, and Tilden Middle School.
Through hands-on workshops, in-school presentations, job site visits, and college campus tours, Spark introduces students to a wide range of professional career options they may not have previously considered. And a core throughline of the program is helping students understand the educational pathways that lead to these careers – encouraging middle schoolers to imagine and plan for their postsecondary futures. In close collaboration with partner schools and with the support of generous corporate partners, PEF’s Program Manager Stacey Sandle curates engaging, career-connected experience and soft skill-building exercises each week for seventh and eighth grade students.
A critical component of Spark is its social-emotional learning curriculum, which builds self-awareness, strengthens communication skills, and sharpens problem-solving abilities. The curriculum emphasizes responsible decision-making by teaching students how to define problems, consider consequences, and prioritize responsibilities. Self-management skills are reinforced through a financial literacy workshop focused on budgeting and making smart money choices. Students also reflect on verbal and nonverbal communication, helping them develop the interpersonal skills essential for future academic and career success.
PEF is deeply grateful to the dedicated volunteers and corporate partners who broaden our students’ understanding of industries and professions, help them develop social-emotional skills, and begin envisioning career pathways. This valuable time spent with students sparks excitement about future careers and the education needed to pursue them.
If you or your company are interested in getting involved in PEF’s Middle Grades Initiatives, please contact River Rangel, Senior Program Manager, at lrangel@philaedfund.org.
