tle>

Winter 2014

LearnServe Can Code.  Can You?

Of course you can!  That's how Microsoft convinced the LearnServe Fellows and alumni to kick off Code.org's Hour of Code campaign.  Our Fellows were part of a worldwide effort where 23 million students completed an Hour of Code online tutorial.  All of the Fellows earned a certificate.  With encouragement from US DOE’s Camsie McAdams (Senior Advisor on STEM Education), and Microsoft’s Fred Humphries (Vice President of US Government Affairs), Allyson Knox (Director of Education Policy and Programs) and Paul St. Clair (Program Manager), students learned the basics of coding their own computer programs and mobile applications.  Two students were awarded Surface tablets.  We can't wait to see our Fellows integrate these new skills into their ventures.  Community change?  There might be an app for that.


Making Summer Plans?

Make this a summer to remember.  High school students and teachers: this is your last chance to apply for LearnServe Abroad 2014.  There are still spaces available in our Paraguay and Zambia programs.  Volunteer with local community organizations; spend time with local high school students and teachers; live with host families, and do a bit of sight-seeing.  The program kicks off on Sunday, February 23.  Participants meet monthly through the spring, with tentative summer travel dates of June 21 - July 8.  Financial aid is available on a first-come basis.  Apply online today or click here to learn more!


Thirty Seconds to Change the World

On December 12, the LearnServe Fellows took the stage to present their venture ideas at the 7th Annual Innovators Coffee House.  They debuted their plans to transform their schools and communities through a series of elevator pitches presented to an enthusiastic audience of mentors, teachers, families and other guests at George Mason University.  We look forward to their full venture pitches at our 2014 Panels and Venture Fair on Thursday, April 24.  We hope you'll save the date.



Staff Profile: Shelley Rood

"After witnessing community leaders' passion at the LearnServe Panels and Venture Fair, I knew we had talented people who wanted to get more involved," observed Shelley Rood. Shelley launched LearnServe's Venture Mentor program to connect Washington area business, education, and consulting leaders with DC's aspiring teen innovators.  "We developed a way to keep professionals in the community engaged with LearnServe Fellows and alumni as they create and implement their ventures.

Now in its second year, LearnServe's Venture Mentor Program has welcomed a cohort of more than 30 volunteers from diverse fields who personally invest their time in the success of LearnServe Fellows and their ventures.  Volunteering with LearnServe draws on Shelley's passion for youth education, and connects with the fields of innovation and social entrepreneurship she explored in Georgetown University's MBA program.  Professionally, Shelley is a senior legislative associate for The Jewish Federations of North America, where she advocates for policies that support low-income elderly individuals.

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who gave during our end-of-year campaign.  Your continued support allows us to continue inspiring teens and giving them the tools to change lives.  We wish you a healthy and fulfilling 2014.


This email was sent to allison@learn-serve.org. If you are having trouble viewing this email, you may also view it online. To opt out of all communications, click here.
Forward email. .
Email Marketing By