PREP-KC Photo Galleries

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Health Sciences Acceleration Academy Tours the Virtual Hospital
On May 12, a group of high school students from KCMSD, enrolled in this year's Health and Sciences Acceleration Academy, toured the Virtual Hospital inside the Health Sciences Institute (HSI) at Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley.

Hosted by the HSI's Pam Anthony, RN, MSN, and Tracy Forester, the students interacted with one of the human patient simulators. They assisted and observed while Pam and Tracy modeled a standard assesment of a trauma patient.

This sneak-peak tour is just one of the many exciting components of this summer's Health and Sciences Acceleration Academy. 

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2009 Math Benchmarking Conference

On August 5, 2009, teachers and administrators from the KCKPS, KCMSD, Center, Independence and Grandview school districts came together to discuss Math Benchmarking, math teaching and how to connect to their students to make math engaging.

  
2010 National Job Shadow Day

On Feb. 2's National Job Shadow Day, professionals from Brockton Creative, The Kansas City Star, Vedros Photography and BalancePoint allowed students from PREP-KC's partner high schools to visit their offices. The students enjoyed a day of attending meetings and asking all the questions they needed to better understand the profession they planned to pursue.

Artist Ty Wilson Talks to Students at Wyandotte High School

On March 30 Ty Wilson met with a group of students from Wyandotte High School to discuss his career as one of the country's best-selling artists. Ty shared a story that was easily related for the students -- about his high school days and how he came to be the success he is today. He helped the students understand the options and opportunities available in his career, and even shared information about a free arts program at the Art Institute, where he currently teaches.

  
Career Exploration at Harmon High School

On April 30, 2010, 14 professionals with a wide range of careers from interior and graphic design to the law and FBI met with 35 9th-grade students in the communications small learning community at Harmon High School. This career jumping event—set up in the fashion of a speed-dating event—allowed students to spend five minutes with each professional to ask questions about their careers and education.

This experience is terrific for 9th graders, as they begin their high school career, encouraging them to think about their futures both in college and in their chosen career paths.
Chris Weaver Visits Grandview High School

Chris Weaver, executive producer at Bear House Films, visited Grandview High School on Feb. 10 to speak with students about careers in the film industry. Able to give a comprehensive overview of just about any job in the industry—from crafts services to final production-Chris informed the students of what it takes to pursue a career in film.  

  
College for a Day

On March 2, 2010, 160 students visited UMKC for the College for a Day event. Students from both sides of the state line attended: East High School, Northeast High School, Paseo Academy and Southwest Early College Campus from the Kansas City, Missouri School District; and Harmon High School, Wyandotte High School and Schlagle High School from Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools.

Steve Terry, Coordinator for Leadership and Service at UMKC, hosted some active and engaging seminars with each group of students on leadership and college life. In only 30 minutes, he transformed the group of strangers into a team that new each other, respected each other and were having fun. Students were also all given a tour of the residence halls and were also treated to a great workshop with Sydney Rodgers-Beeler, Manager of the Welcome Center, on ACT prep work.

This was a transformative, energized, engaging and well planned day and the students left having learned a lot about what it means to go to college, and how to prepare themselves.
Evolution Audio Hosts One Lucky Student

After a last minute cancelation left us without a workplace experience for an aspiring high school student, Evolution Audio came to the rescue with
a terrific tour and valuable insight into their industry.

Evolution Audio has been very supportive of Kansas City's urban students, always providing a behind-the-scenes look at the audio industry, what they do during an average week, and offering advice to the students on how to get where they are today. Students always leave this group having learned valuable information on the industry, understanding what they can look forward to if they pursue this career path and feeling welcomed and appreciated.

Special thanks to Bryan and Don at Evolution Audio for always opening your doors to students, providing them with a wonderful job shadow experience and ensuring the students are well educated and comfortable. You are a true partner to PREP-KC, the districts and to the students.

  
Harmon High School Students Tour UMKC

On Nov. 17, 2009, 24 Harmon High School students from the Visual Arts Small Learning Community visited the Arts Department and campus at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). UMKC professors welcomed the students to visit four classes in session. They were able to speak with UMKC art students about being in an art program, and administrators conducted tours of the campus and dormitories.
Harmon High School Students Visit Spangler Graphics

A group of students from Harmon High School were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at Spangler Graphic's printing press operation on April 7. Arranged by the team from Kendal King, the students saw the very different presses used on a daily basis and even saw most of them in action during their visit. They learned about various printing processes and the massive amount of work that goes into maintaining the business. All the employees at Spangler were very welcoming as they shared their enthusiam about their business and company with the visiting students.

The students also learned about how their posters--which they have been working on with the Kendal King team--will be printed and how many people it will take to get the job done.

Thanks to Kendal King for setting up this insightful and educational experience for the students!

  
Health Sciences Acceleration Academy Welcome Reception

At a reception on January 26, the Health Sciences Acceleration Academy (HSAA) welcomed 30 KCMSD 10th graders and their families. The Academy is a partnership between PREP-KC, Penn Valley Community College and KCMSD, designed to prepare students for post-secondary education and careers in health sciences.
Interiors with Hope visits Wyandotte High School

On May 12, 2010, Hope Windmiller of Interiors with Hope spoke to students at Wyandotte High School about careers in interior design. Thanks to Hope's honesty, humor and friendly personality, the students were engaged and inquisitive throughout the visit. Afterwards, many students wanted more information about Hope, her business and the potential for becoming interior designers.

  
Job Shadow at Copaken, White & Blitt

Two students from Wyandotte HIgh School visited Copaken, White & Blitt on April 29, for a job shadow experience in commercial real estate. The students even received a tour of the rooftop, where they were able to see one of the most amazing views of Kansas City you can find.

After a tour and conversations with the team at Copaken, White & Blitt, one of the students mentioned he was interested in real estate law. So the team at CWB called the law firm, Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, and coordinated an hour-long job shadow with them as well. 

At the end of the day, both students agreed this was the best job shadow they have ever experienced.

Thanks to Hilary, Ryan and Lynette at Copaken, White & Blitt for their generous time and attention. And special thanks to John Cruz at Lewis, Rice & Fingersh spending some quality time with our students on such short notice!
Job Shadow at Wayside Waifs

The terrific veterinarians and vet techs at Wayside Waifs hosted a student from The Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts on Feb. 19 - giving her a first-hand experience with her planned future career as a vet tech. She was able to watch up close as the Wayside Waifs team performed teeth cleanings on a few dogs and brought the animals in and out of anesthesia. She also spent time talking with the team and learning about a vet tech's day-to-day duties and responsibilities.

  
KCKPS Math Relays 2010

On Feb. 15, Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools hosted its annual Math Relays competition. And what a day! More than 1,400 students from around the district competed in individual and team relay events. At the end of the day-long event, nearly 300 awards were given and the students walked away with excitement and passion for math -- and their futures.
Kendal King Staff Visits Harmon High School

Kendal King, an industry leader in creating in-store marketing programs for premier brands and retailers, stopped by Harmon High School on Jan. 27 for its first visit with 20 visual art students. Jim Rapp and Kerry Meier from Kendal King have created a semester-long program for students that is truly exciting. From presenting the students with a creative brief to going through the process of working with a client - All the way to a showing their work at a First Friday this spring! - these students will learn about the entire creative process in a business setting. Good luck to all the Harmon High School students involved in this project with Kendal King! We can't wait to see what you produce.

  
Lawrence Moore Visits Grandview High School

As Newscast Director at KMBC Channel 9 News, Lawrence Moore is a wealth of knowledge on what it takes to succeed in broadcast journalism. On Jan. 13, Mr. Moore visited with students from Grandview High School to talk about this exciting career path. Mr. Moore shared stories about his background, his education and his daily life on the job. Despite the fact that he had already worked a full day - and had been awake since 4a.m. - Mr. Moore had an animated conversation with the students about TV production and they learned some invaluable information about following this career path.
My School-My Life Art Exhibit

Kansas City photographer Steve Curtis worked with students from Washington High School for five weeks in the classroom. He taught them about the photography industry and worked one-on-one to help students develop their Photoshop skills. This hard—and creative—work resulted in the "My Life-My School" art exhibit of more than 100 student pieces on display at the Nov. 13 "Second Fridays" event in downtown Kansas City, Kan.

  
Pathways to Health Careers

The Pathways to Health Careers event, held on May 11th, was sponsored by the Kansas City Area Health Care Recruiters Association. They did a phenomenal job organizing the event, which was made obvious by all the students who were engaged, learning and having fun!  This was the fourth year for this event and approximately 100 students from Schlagle, Harmon and Southwest Early College Campus were in attendance. In addition to interactive, hands-on booths, students also had the opportunity to hear from and ask questions of a range of healthcare professionals in the fields of Cardiac Catheterization, Health and Wellness, Laboratry Science, Radiology, Nursing, Women's and Children's Health, Respiratory Therapy, Surgical Services, Life Sciences, Rehab Services and Nutrition.
PREP-KC Thanks Kansas CIty Professionals

PREP-KC hosted a reception at The Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts, for the more than 150 Kansas City professionals who volunteered during the 2008-09 school year. Whether speaking to a classroom, hosting a work-place tour or providing a job shadow experience, these professionals made a big difference in the lives of thousands of Kansas City's urban high school students.

  
PREP-KC's 2010 Regional Math Relays

When 250 high school students from four of Kansas City’s urban school districts came together on Saturday, May 1, they didn't just compete for team awards and individual scholarship opportunities. They also will be inspired to learn that any student with the right curriculum and support can be a successful math achiever.

PREP-KC, the region’s leading intermediary supporting improvements in urban education, is hosting its first Regional Math Relays competition at Wyandotte High School as part of its Math Benchmarking strategy that is currently in place in a number of Kansas City’s urban high schools.
Students Get Sneak Peak at a Career in Architecture

Two students from Wyandotte High School had the pleasure of spending some time at the Kansas City headquarters of BNIM, a leading architecture and design firm. The students received a tour of the office and were able to ask all their questions about education, training and careers in architecture. They even heard expert opinions and thoughts on the current building developments in Kansas City.

  
Students Visit The Kansas City Business Journal

Students from Wyandotte High School and Northeast High School spent time recently job shadowing Kansas City Business Journal editors Brian Kaberline and Russell Gray, and reporter Rob Roberts. The open and honest conversation with the students helped teach them about what to expect from a career in print journalism.
Virginia Olin speaks to classes at Wyandotte High School

On March 26, 2010, Virginia Olin from Aranya Software Technologies spoke to two classes at Wyandotte High School about social media and how its used in today's business world. Virginia's engaging and energized presentation helped all the students stay focused throughout the visit.

The information Virginia presented was designed to help students understand what it is like to be in today's workforce, how to communicate effectively with clients, the difference between selling to other businesses or direct to the consumer. Afterward, some of the students even signed up to follow Virginia on Twitter to learn more!

  
VML Office Visit

VML has been a terrific partner for PREP-KC and Kansas City's urban school districts–always welcoming the opportunity to work with our students. Earlier in the 2009-10 school year, VML hosted a group of students from Harmon High School in a work site tour that received rave reviews from students and teachers alike.

Our job shadow event on April 29th was no different. Two students from Wyandotte High School had the opportunity to job shadow at VML and the team created a great experience, which inspired the students to think about the creative industry for their futures.

The students were given a tour of the impressive VML offices at the old downtown airport. Then they went their separate ways to learn about their specific interests. Jose spent time with a VML team meber in Media, while Fabian was able to spend time with a Creative team member.

The VML employees were engaged, engaging and very interested in supporting the students. They gave as much information as they could about their careers and the work they do on a daily basis.

Thanks to Farrah and the entire team at VML for taking time to give our students a tour, and for the valuable, personal conversations about their career options. We are so lucky to have an organization like VML that is so willing to work with students and knows the importance of these experiences on their lives.
Writing Center Summit

In early August 2010, PREP-KC spent the day with its district partners, as well as  teachers from schools outside of the PREP-KC footprint. The purpose of the daylong summt was to learn how to effectively create a writing center in each of the teacher's school. 

Jane Greer from UMKC and Kathleen Boyle Dales from PREP-KC opened the session with welcome remarks for all the participants. Jane Greer, along with Djana Trofimoff from Southwest Early College Campus and Shawn Schmelzle from Blue Springs—who both recently started their schools' own writing centers—provided the group with tips, ideas and best practice advice on the startup process.

The second half of the day included group breakout sessions and a Skype presentation from Richard Kent from the University of Maine.

Good luck to all the teachers who participated in the Writing Center Summit. We look forward to seeing the writing centers at your schools!