Student Showcase
Planning Guide Select where you are in your real world learning journey.
Getting Started
Set your goals and understand your commitment.
Finding Partners
Who from the real world will interact with your students?
Preparing
What do you need to be ready to launch?
Launching
Connect your students with real world learning experiences.
Following Up
How will you follow up with everyone after the experience?
Reflecting
Did you achieve your goals?
Getting Started
Understand goals and commitments
Write down your vision and identify student learning goals for the event. Use the RWL Activity Planning Worksheet
Contact your administration to schedule the event and identify the location (e.g. gym, classrooms, auditorium space, community hall)
Enlist a team with diverse networks to support you before, during and after the fair. Your list may include: colleagues, parents, guidance counselors, student clubs/organization leaders and/or volunteer organizations
Create an easily shareable project plan for the event with tasks due dates and assigned owners (see Project Plan Template)
Train your team on your systems-spreadsheets, project plans and tools so they know how to access and share information
Tips
- When selecting an event date consider holidays, student testing and other district calendar dates.
- You can’t do it all. Make sure to be clear with your team the kinds of support you will need and assign owners on your project plan.
Supporting materials that can help
RWL Activity Planning Worksheet
A blank worksheet designed to plan the activity
Customize this template with tasks from the below checklist and other items
Finding Partners
Who from the real world will interact with your students?
Create flyers, press releases, and/or online invitations as appropriate for your event
Create a list of who you want to invite (general public, families, school district leaders, business owners, children, etc…)
Invite community members and special guests
Tips
- Based on your event, you will need to determine the best way to invite community members (press release, personal outreach to specific people, flyers around town, etc…)
- If you event is open to the public, local newspapers and social media are great ways to publicize your event for free
- Engage students and team members in outreach efforts
Preparing
What do you need to be ready to launch?
Confirm event space details and set-up requirements (e.g. number of tables, set up)
Identify needs for A/V and ensure there are enough outlets in the space
Create a budget
Coordinate and confirm catering for the day of the event, if needed
Identify a colleague or hire a professional photographer to capture photos from the event
Promote the event on social media and school website to build buzz and excitement starting two weeks before the event
Send a press release to local papers
Create signage for the event
Create a program book with a list of partners, descriptions of their organizations and the name of the representative(s)
Ensure students know the dress code, timeline, and logistics of the event
Assign volunteers to tasks for the day of the event
Tips
- The exact steps and time commitment for preparation will vary based on the style of the event and what students are presenting.
Launching
Connect your students with real world learning experiences.
Meet with your team of volunteers to review assignments for the event
Set up the room/venue and technology if needed
Walk around the room as students or partners are setting up to provide any assistance or answer any questions (if applicable)
Set up a registration table for attendees to sign in and make name tags
Set up signage so attendees know where to go
Take pictures and videos to document the event
Tips
- Have tape, glue, tacks and pins on hand
- Ensure you have someone on hand to assist with technology if needed
Following Up
How will you follow up with everyone after the experience?
Send thank you notes and emails to your volunteers
Reconcile any budget spending
Write personal thank you notes to special guests or community members with photos from the event
Review professional email writing with students and discuss the importance of follow up
Have students write a follow-up and thank you email to people they connected with at the event (if applicable)
Debrief the event with students
Share photos and videos of the event with your school community and on the school’s media outlets
Provide a feedback survey to student, staff and partners (see Sample Survey Questions)
Tips
- Have students write about their experiences and share with the local community or arrange interviews with the local newspaper and media outlets.
Supporting materials that can help
You can use these sample questions in a survey to partners, students and school team members
Reflecting
Did you achieve your goals?
Reflect on the event with your students (see Student Reflection)
Reflect on the event yourself (see Teacher Reflection)
Supporting materials that can help
A sample reflection sheet to use after the event
A sample reflection sheet to use after the event
