Projects

Career-Based

Projects prepare students for future pursuits by mastering competencies using real-life, career-based themes.

Flexible

As with other VLACS learning journeys, projects can easily be combined with courses and experiences to fit each student’s preferred learning style. Each project lasts approximately 3–4 weeks and equals one competency.

Participatory

Students are able to truly master a competency through actively conducting in-depth research and applying it to the problem.

Non-Traditional

At VLACS, we don’t have a preplanned notion of what a “traditional” student looks like. Each student is unique, both in their interests and in their approach to learning.

 

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Example 1

US Government

Career

Paralegal

Competency

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the organization and operation of United States and New Hampshire government at all levels including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches by analyzing relevant documents.

Project

Our firm has been hired by a non-profit organization working in favor of a grassroots issue. This issue has become law in New Hampshire but is now facing trial in the courts for its constitutionality. You will write an amicus brief on this issue that will present the position of your organization and attempt to sway the court’s decision. You will consider how this issue has been handled at the Federal executive, judicial and legislative levels, and cite the effects of the law at the state and Federal levels.

 

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Example 2

Fitness Lifestyle Design

Career

Firefighter Peer Fitness Trainer

Competency

Student will demonstrate understanding and application of the connection between motor skills and movement patterns to activities that contribute to health-related fitness and understand the benefits of physical activity.

Project

Understand the connection between motor skills and movement patterns to activities which contribute to health-related fitness. Develop a training schedule and video that will improve the safety and performance of firefighters. Participate in the activities in order to be able to explain their benefits.

 

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Example 3

Physical Science

Career

Materials Lab Technician

Competency

Student will demonstrate an understanding of Newton’s Laws of Motion by applying each of Newton’s laws to one of three real-life situations.

Project

Understand Newton’s Law of Motion by testing design elements to determine the best sports helmet to limit a force of impact and creating an ideal helmet.