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Kids 2 College

Kids2College – 5th-8th grade

Kids2College is a college and career exploration program, designed for students in their last year of elementary school or middle school, although we offer flexibility to meet educator needs. The 6-lesson curriculum helps students identify career interests, build personal learning and career plans, and understand the steps they can take in middle and high school to best prepare themselves for college and career success. The Lesson 5 College & Career Panel helps students gain a greater understanding about what it's like to be a college student and working professional. Where available, schools are partnered with campuses who host in-person or virtual campus events, complete with age-appropriate, hands-on college classes designed to help students get a feel for college life. Virtual College & Career Panel videos, virtual campus tours, and digital curriculum are also available with complete support from ACPE staff.

Kids2College is a partnership between the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education, Alaska 529, and numerous school districts and volunteers across Alaska.

 

Kids2College - Classroom time: 6 lessons, 1-1.5 hours

Students begin to identify their career interests and build personal learning and career plans; learn how to best prepare for college and career training; and learn about college entrance exams, admissions, and financial aid.

  • Six-lesson college and career prep curriculum, with optional supplemental activities provided for all students (digital & print)
  • Easy-to-follow Teacher's Guide walks through activities and timelines
  • Editable Google slide templates for each lesson
  • ACPE or local partner coordinates a panel of volunteers to share college & career experiences with students (in-person or virtual)
  • Students research a career of their choosing and present what they learn to classmates
  • Students enjoy an in-person or virtual campus event with a day of age appropriate classes or take a virtual tour
  • To learn more about Kids2College click here to download the full overview

Curriculum Outline

The Kids2College curriculum is broken into six lessons. View or download the detailed curriculum outline here.

 

Lesson Timelines:
Teachers should review each lesson timeline in advance to plan when each lesson will be taught and how to best break out lesson activities.

 

Is Kids2College available for distance education, homeschool families, and extra-curricular programs?

Curriculum is available to families, extra-curricular programs and schools, in both print and digital format. Our website includes separate resource sections for Students, Teachers/Program Leads, and Parents. The student workbook, teacher guide, Google Slide presentations for each lesson, pre-/post-surveys, pre-recorded college & career panel videos, virtual campus tours and events, evaluations, and family survey forms with a scholarship contest can all be found online. ACPE staff are available to coordinate n-person and virtual panels, and assist with program success.

How do I bring Kids2College to my students?

Interested educators are asked to complete the program application as early as possible during the school year, ideally prior to the priority deadline. After review of all applications, schools accepted into the program will receive a Letter of Agreement sent through Constant Contact which must be signed electronically prior to participation. Participants will have access to hard copy and/or digital curriculum and program support from ACPE staff.

What is the application deadline?

The Priority Application Deadline is October 1st. This will ensure timely shipment of materials. Applications will also be accepted throughout the year. Early applications are encouraged to ensure ample time to receive materials and training, and to teach all six lessons.

When does the program begin?

The application allows educators to include their preferred start date. We strive to ensure sites receive materials in time to teach lessons on a timeline that works for them. Some programs begin early in the year, with others beginning after winter break, and some teach over summers and school holidays. We do our best to accommodate sitess that require an earlier start in the fall.

When does curriculum ship?

Shipments will be sent in order of when programs are scheduled to start, with an emphasis on ensuring materials arrive in time for educators to teach on their preferred timeline.

Are all applicants accepted into the program?

Although campus partnerships and physical curriculum may be limited in supply, digital resources and program support are available to all applicants. Educators are encouraged to apply early, submit complete applications, and have full support from educators who will teach the curriculum.

Is there a curriculum training?

Curriculum trainings are available throughout the year, with particular focus September through February. Educators select their preferred training date in the application. Applicants are asked to indicate in the Notes section of the application if they require a different date/time. The training highlights program resources, updates, and requirements.

Is the curriculum training a requirement?

All participating educators are asked to complete one curriculum training, as a refresher or to learn new program updates, resources and requirements.

If there is no nearby campus, can we still participate?

Curriculum is the core of the Kids2College program. Where available, we partner schools/families with a campus or training center for an in-person or virtual campus event. We also offer pre-recorded virtual campus tours and events online and program support for all participants.

Why are the Pre- & Post-Surveys so important?

Program surveys help us understand what students are thinking about career interests and postsecondary education options both before and after the program, helping us gauge and improve program effectiveness.

What are the Supplemental Activities?

The Kids2College curriculum includes optional supplemental materials to enhance what the students gain from each lesson. In fact, multiple Supplemental Activities help prepare students for their own presentation in Lesson Six. Supplemental Activities make great homework activities too!

Do coordinators need to be affiliated with a campus?

Local coordinators may be campus or training center personnel, or even staff of native corporations and other local business entities. Anyone interested in coordinating the program for their community is encouraged to contact ACPE and apply.

Does ACPE cover the costs of transportation to a campus visit?

In order to offer the program to more schools, all schools are asked to indicate on their application whether or not they can cover the cost of transportation to a campus visit. ACPE has limited funds to help with local transportation and unfortunately cannot cover high cost long distance travel fees. Rural schools are encouraged to participate in virtual campus events and/or seek grant funding and local or corporate donations to fund a campus visit if so desired.

Who provides meals during field trips?

In order to offer the program to more students, all schools and campuses are asked to indicate on their application whether or not they can cover the cost of meals during the campus visit. Some campuses provide meals for students. If both the campus and school are unable to provide meals to the students, ACPE may be able to provide assistance, however we have found that with advance notice, Title I schools are able to provide sack lunches for their students. Students are asked to carry their own individual lunches onto campus when provided by school cafeterias.

How many volunteers are needed for the College & Career Panels?

Each College & Career Panel is typically made up of 3-5 panelists. Each panelist is encouraged to speak for 5-10 minutes about their college/career stories and take questions as they come. After all panelists have shared, students are encouraged to ask additional questions of the panelists.

Who arranges the College & Career Panels?

Local or Campus Coordinators are asked to work with educators to select a panel date that works for the school prior to recruiting volunteers. Virtual College & Career Panels will be arranged by the Statewide Coordinator for schools that do not have a local or campus partner. We do our best to identify virtual panelists with connections to participating communities.

Are there any requirements for the College & Career Panel volunteers?

Ideally volunteers should have completed one of the following: college, career training: vocational or apprenticeship program, licensure or certification, or military training. Other volunteer options in smaller, rural communities could include: elders, partner organizations, high school students planning to apply to college, or current college students.

Is there a training for College & Career Panel volunteers?

A 6-minute web-based training presentation located under Career Panel & Volunteer Resources on our website helps volunteers better understand program details and what is expected in the classroom. In addition, a volunteer packet and sample discussion questions are also available. This brief training is helpful for panel volunteers and educators.


List of School Districts that have participated in previous years

  • Alaska Gateway
  • Aleutians East
  • Anchorage
  • Annette Island
  • Bering Strait
  • Chatham
  • Copper River
  • Delta-Greely
  • Denali Borough
  • Dillingham City
  • Fairbanks North Star Borough
  • Galena City
  • Haines Borough
  • Iditarod Area
  • Juneau Borough
  • Kashunamiut
  • Kenai Peninsula Borough
  • Ketchikan Gateway Borough
  • Kodiak Island Borough
  • Kuspuk
  • Lower Kuskokwim
  • Lower Yukon
  • Matanuska-Susitna Borough
  • Nenana City
  • Nome Public
  • North Slope Borough
  • Northwest Arctic Borough
  • Petersburg City
  • Saint Mary's
  • Sitka Borough
  • Skagway
  • Southwest Region
  • Unalaska City
  • Valdez City
  • Yukon-Koyukuk
  • Yupiit


List of Communities that have participated in previous years

  • Akiachak
  • Ambler
  • Anaktuvuk Pass
  • Anchor Point
  • Anchorage
  • Anderson
  • Angoon
  • Aniak
  • Atmautluak
  • Bethel
  • Big Lake
  • Buckland
  • Chevak
  • Crooked Creek
  • Deering
  • Delta Junction
  • Dillingham
  • Dot Lake
  • Douglas
  • Eagle
  • Eagle River
  • Eek
  • Elim
  • Fairbanks
  • Fort Wainwright
  • Galena
  • Girdwood
  • Glennallen
  • Haines
  • Healy
  • Homer
  • Houston
  • Juneau
  • Kalskag
  • Kasigluk
  • Kenai
  • Ketchikan
  • Kiana
  • Kipnuk
  • Kobuk
  • Kodiak
  • Kongiganak
  • Kotlik
  • Kotzebue
  • Koyuk
  • Kwigillingok
  • Manokotak
  • McGrath
  • Mekoryuk
  • Mentasta Lake
  • Metlakatla
  • Napakiak
  • Napaskiak
  • Nenana
  • New Stuyahok
  • Newtok
  • Noatak
  • Nome
  • Noorvik
  • Northway
  • Nuiqsut
  • Nunapitchuk
  • Oscarville
  • Petersburg
  • Pilot Station
  • Point Hope
  • Quinhagak
  • Rampart
  • Ruby
  • Saint Mary's
  • Salcha
  • Sand Point
  • Savoonga
  • Selawik
  • Shageluk
  • Shungnak
  • Sitka
  • Skagway
  • Slana
  • Sterling
  • Takotna
  • Talkeetna
  • Tanacross
  • Tetlin
  • Tok
  • Toksook Bay
  • Trapper Creek
  • Tuluksak
  • Tununak
  • Unalakleet
  • Unalaska
  • Valdez
  • Wasilla
  • White Mountain

Apply or Volunteer Today!

Available for learning in schools, homes, and extracurricular programs.

Distance, in-person and hybrid learning options available.

Please contact shelly.morgan@alaska.gov or 907-269-7972 if you have questions or difficulty submitting the online application.

Please review the Application Guidelines and submit a completed Program Application.

Priority applications received by October 1st will guarantee early shipment of program materials. Digital links for distance learning and hybrid models will be sent to program applicants using Constant Contact email service.

   Apply Now!


To receive important program details, please Opt-In to Constant Contact, our primary mode of communication.

SIGN UP FOR COMMUNICATION

Campus Application

Please review the Application Guidelines carefully and submit a completed Campus Application.

 

Please apply early as school partnerships are limited.
Applications are due October 1st each year (late applications may be accepted based on supplies).

   Apply Now!


To receive important program details, please Opt-In to Constant Contact, our primary mode of communication.

SIGN UP FOR COMMUNICATION

Sign Up to Volunteer in YOUR community – in-person and virtual opportunities available!

Each site participating in Kids2College will need volunteer college & career panelists to share their educational and career experiences with 5th-8th grade students.

Apply TODAY! or contact shelly.morgan@alaska.gov for more details.


To receive important program details, please Opt-In to Constant Contact, our primary mode of communication.

SIGN UP FOR COMMUNICATION


  • Share YOUR educational & career experiences with 5th-8th grade students
  • Take part in a 3-5 person college & career panel
  • Total time commitment is 1 to 1.5 hours
  • Share college and high school challenges and how you overcame them
  • Talk about your favorite college and career training memories
  • Inspire young Alaskans and answer questions about your pathway to success

Tips & Tools

Please complete ASAP!

Online Career Panel & Curriculum Schedule Form

 

Teacher Resources

The following digital and print resources are designed to help your students get the most out of their Kids2College experience. Please note, Virtual Tours and Pre-recorded Virtual Campus Events are found in the Campus Visit & Virtual Tour section.

 

   

College & Career Panel Videos

Flipgrid is a free resource for educators that we are using to produce Panelist Videos for students; Educators who create their own grid, can share it with their students through Canvas. Students can then create or upload their own video (up to 5min.) using any digital device. This is a great option for Lesson 6 presentations in an e-learning environment.

 

Lesson 6 - Student Video Presentations

Using Flipgrid for Canvas, students can upload their own Lesson 6 presentations to a classroom Flipgrid or to their Canvas Course. Flipgrid Educator Accounts are free and fast to create, allowing students and teachers to access private grids where videos can be seen only by the teacher or class.

 

Program Guidelines

Understand your responsibilities and learn tips to improve your Kids2College program.

 

Curriculum Resources & Slide Presentations

These Google Slide Presentations can be used in simple format, or copied and modified to personalize the embedded PearDeck, FlipGrid, Kahoot, and GimKit links for your students. Instructions identifying which slides need modification are found in the notes on page 1 of each slide.

 

Student Surveys

Google Form Surveys:

Paper Surveys:

 

Curriculum Addendums

If you do not have a 2020 or more recent Teacher Guide or Student Workbook (listed on backside), please replace the appropriate pages in your curriculum with the documents below.


Addendum to Lesson 1

The Y axis on the Average Annual Adult Income graph has been updated.


Addendum to HS Graduation Requirements

HS Graduation Requirements have been updated to reflect current graduation unit requirements. Please check your Teacher Guide (Page 82) and Student Workbook (inside, back cover) and download as appropriate.

Family Information Sheets

 

Family Survey:

After completion of the curriculum and virtual or in-person campus event, families are encouraged to complete the online Family Survey/Scholarship Contest located in the Family Resources section of our website. We ask that you copy/paste and send the previous sentence out in an email to families, and also send home and collect as homework, the printed WIN BIG Family Survey/Scholarship Contest cards included in your shipment.

*Family Surveys received by June 10th will be entered into a drawing to win a $2,000 Alaska 529 Scholarship Account!

 

Student Resources

The following digital and print resources are designed to help you get the most out of your Kids2College experience. (Please note: The Teacher's Guide is found in the Teacher Resources tab.)

 

Kids2College Campus Event Videos:

Kids2College Campus Event videos are available in full clips and in 12-30 min. segments. We have videos from the 2022 and 2021 campus events.

2022

KuC, UAF-CTC, & UAS Juneau – Day 1 (ANSEP, Spanish, Paramedicine, Study Abroad)
KuC, UAF-CTC, & UAS Juneau – Day 2 (Art Therapy, Dorms, Activities, & Wellness, Fire Science, Dual Enrollment & Summer Camps, Early Childhood Development)
UAF, UAA, Mat-Su College – Day 1 (Transportation & Power, Art, College Knowledge Jeopardy, Music)
UAF, UAA, Mat-Su College – Day 2 (AK History & Geography, Japanese, Emergency Management, Microbes Among Us, Engineering)

2021

UAA & Kodiak College – Day 1 (College Knowledge & Financial Aid Graphic Design, Nursing, Drawing, Alutiiq Studies)
UAA & Kodiak College – Day 2 (Aviation, Engineering, Psychology, Marketing, College Knowledge Jeopardy)
UAF Day 1 (College Knowledge & Financial Aid, Residential Life, Alaska Earthquake Center, College Knowledge Jeopardy)
UAF Day 2 (Campus Life, Cold Climate Engineering, Music Department, College Knowledge Jeopardy Part 2)

 

Campus Event and College Life Q&A:

   

Virtual Campus Tours

Virtual tours can give you a feel for college life and tips for success.

 

Student Surveys

Program surveys are designed to show what students are thinking about college & careers before and after the program. In an effort to capture program success, Pre-Surveys must be completed prior to beginning the curriculum. Post-Surveys should be done after completion of the curriculum and associated campus visit or virtual tour. Please select the correct survey.

Although we prefer the use of digital surveys, you can you can also download, print, and email/mail surveys as needed.

Google Form Surveys:

Paper Surveys:

 

Family Information Sheets

We encourage you to discuss Family Information Sheets with your family after each lesson. They can also be found in the Parent Resources tab.

Coordinator Resources

The following documents are designed to help you coordinate the best Kids2College experience for your local school(s) or site(s).

 

Program Guidelines for Coordinators

Understand your responsibilities as a campus or local coordinator and learn tips to improve your Kids2College program.

 

Coordinator Resources

Excerpts from the Teacher's Guide are helpful in understanding how you can best work with your local school(s) or site(s).

 

Career Panel and Volunteer Resources

Visit the Career Panel & Volunteer Resources section for tips and tools for volunteer career panelist recruitment.

Campus Visit & Virtual Tour Resources

The following resources are designed to help you coordinate the best campus visit or virtual tour for your local school(s) or site(s).

 

Campus Event Discussion Tips

Reinforce the Kids2College curriculum during the opening and closing portions of your campus visit or virtual tour.

 

Virtual Campus Tours

Virtual tours give students a feel for a college campus without leaving their seat. Please use these tours to supplement your Kids2College curriculum and discuss with students what to expect and what is expected of them on a college campus.

 

Kids2College Campus Event Videos:

Kids2College Campus Event videos are available in full clips and in 12-30 min. segments. We have videos from the 2022 and 2021 campus events.

2022

KuC, UAF-CTC, & UAS Juneau – Day 1 (ANSEP, Spanish, Paramedicine, Study Abroad)
KuC, UAF-CTC, & UAS Juneau – Day 2 (Art Therapy, Dorms, Activities, & Wellness, Fire Science, Dual Enrollment & Summer Camps, Early Childhood Development)
UAF, UAA, Mat-Su College – Day 1 (Transportation & Power, Art, College Knowledge Jeopardy, Music)
UAF, UAA, Mat-Su College – Day 2 (AK History & Geography, Japanese, Emergency Management, Microbes Among Us, Engineering)

2021

UAA & Kodiak College – Day 1 (College Knowledge & Financial Aid Graphic Design, Nursing, Drawing, Alutiiq Studies)
UAA & Kodiak College – Day 2 (Aviation, Engineering, Psychology, Marketing, College Knowledge Jeopardy)
UAF Day 1 (College Knowledge & Financial Aid, Residential Life, Alaska Earthquake Center, College Knowledge Jeopardy)
UAF Day 2 (Campus Life, Cold Climate Engineering, Music Department, College Knowledge Jeopardy Part 2)

 

Campus Event; College Life & Career Training Q&A’s:

   

Optional Campus Visit Documents

The following optional templates are available for you to modify and print for use at your upcoming campus visit. Please be sure to modify the date and arrival/departure information as appropriate. Each template is searchable based on the associated campus.

Optional Field Trip Permission Slip Template

In the Zip file are these files:

  • Certificates
  • Name Tags
 

Career Panel & Volunteer Resources

The College & Career Panel is part of a 6-lesson curriculum geared toward 5th -8th grade students. Many of our students may be the first in their family to attend college. This panel is a great opportunity for students to ask questions and learn firsthand about our pathways and experiences, including college life and other career training options.

 

Tips & Guidelines for Volunteer Panelists

Volunteers share individual stories about college & career pathways. Students hear what life is like as a college student or apprentice and learn about the varied career options and pathways we can have in our lifetimes. Most important, students learn that even in the face of personal struggles or academic challenges we can each pursue greatness by following our interests.


Kids 2 College
 

Tools to Recruit Panelist Volunteers

A sample volunteer panelist recruitment email might include the College & Career Panelist Tips and Volunteer Shifts. (Templates are easy to modify to suit your needs.)

A sample volunteer panelist confirmation email might include the College & Career Panelist Tips and Volunteer Commitments. (Templates are easy to modify to suit your needs.)

Student Surveys

Program surveys are designed to show what students are thinking about career interests and postsecondary education options before and after the program. In an effort to capture program success, Pre-Surveys must be completed prior to beginning the curriculum. Post-Surveys should be done after completion of the curriculum and associated campus visit or virtual tour. Please select the correct survey.

Although we prefer the use of digital surveys, you can you can also download, print, and email/mail surveys as needed.

Google Form Surveys:

Paper Surveys:

 

Evaluations

Please help us continue to improve our programs by completing the appropriate evaluation.

 

Evaluations can be filled out online below.

Family Resources

After completion of the curriculum and virtual or in-person campus event, families are encouraged to complete the online Family Survey/Scholarship Contest using the Big Blue Family Survey button below.

*Family Surveys received by June 10 will be entered into a drawing to win a $2,000 AK 529 Scholarship Account!

   Family Survey

 

Family Information Sheets

 

Family Information Sheets

Alaska 529 is an education savings plan designed to make it easy for parents and loved ones to save for education. The Kids2College program is co-sponsored by the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education and Alaska 529.