Exploration was intended for career exploration when first begun in the Progressive Movement (early 20th century)
Has since expanded as we have changed from a factory model of education to a citizenship focus
Now includes real-life challenges and possibilities for the young adult
Give adolescents an opportunity to explore their interests, talents and skills within an educational environment
Allow the adolescent to discover who they are, what they might want to become and what is important to their belief system
Are the beginning of the adolescents’ journey into the adult world
Programs can address “intellectual curiosity, rapidly changing interests and diverse cognitive levels
Actually, research does not say much – not many studies have been attempted.
Exploratory courses are often not related to standards
Administrators and experiences teachers are typically unfamiliar with the concept
Parents are leery of this strange concept
Mini courses – typically a three-six week course such as CPR training, babysitting, karate or photography e.g.
School wide activity days – Earth day or Arbor day activities fall into this category
Activity periods – Regularly scheduled classes such as choir, drama, foreign language
Agriculture Band Business Education Careers Choir Computer Literacy Crafts Drama Environmental Studies Fine Arts Foreign Cultures Foreign Languages
Home Economics Horticulture Industrial Arts Junior Great Books Keyboarding Newspaper Learning/Living Skills Orchestra Reading Lab Oral Communication Study Skills Yearbook