Learning Activation Workshop
Connecting careers to the classroom
Challenge: Design a workshop for 8th‑grade pre‑algebra students to experience a career (market research) so math feels useful and engaging.
Community Need— Everyone deserves a role model who opens doors. Many students lack access to professionals who can help them envision careers. Citizen Schools leans directly into that gap bringing in mentors from the community to lead workshops at K-12 schools.
Student Need— Stay awake during a 55 min math class. Students needed an engaging, hands-on reason to care about pre-algebra not another lecture.
Teacher Need— Prove that math lives beyond the classroom. Connect pre-algebra concepts like linear equations to real-world careers students could see themselves in.
Personal Need — Connect with community during a time of geopolitical unrest. The world is messier then ever and connecting to my values around building community through human-centered design feels more important than ever.
Approach
Icebreaker
Career highlights
Real world challenges that connect with their generation and interests.
Desk research on GenAlpha for their client Lego
Predict 2028 YouTube usage with a linear equation
Discuss how linear equations diverge from real life circumstances
Impact
“This was great! I keep trying to convince them math is cool because it helps them predict the future. You’re presentation really showed that in action.” - Feedback from Teacher
“THANK YOU! I am so glad that we were finally able to get this one scheduled, because your energy, thoughtfulness, and care you brought to both the planning and delivery of the session was truly appreciated.” -Director, Volunteer Community
“It was an excellent presentation and an engaging, memorable experience for the class.” - Citizen Schools Fellow