Image

LifOpps has successfully offered the "Communicating with Confidence" Learning Labs at these PYLUSD Schools:

Fairmont Elementary
Golden Elementary
Mabel Paine Elementary
Melrose Elementary
Rio Vista Elementary
Ruby Drive Elementary
Topaz Elementary
Woodsboro Elementary

What are Students Saying?

Research shows students who communicate and demonstrate initiative are more successful in the long run. They get better grades, find themselves in less trouble and show increased resilience when faced with difficult challenges (DeGrez, Valcke & Berings, & Roozen & Weimer, 2013).

Have you ever felt to speak?

At the LifOpps Learning Labs, Students who Actively Engage show increased confidence in just 5 weeks!

Grounded in social-cognitive theories and guided by experiential-learning principles, the LifOpps Learning Labs are a student-led, technology-assisted program designed to develop communications and leadership skills that empower student achievement!
Learn More!
Image
Competent communications correlate with academic achievement and GPA.
Malmud, 2013

The learning lab Way

With the support and guidance of community leaders, parents, teachers, administrators, and business partners, the Learning Labs has become a premier student-centered, experiential and science-based laboratory that fosters communications, collaborations, creativity, and self-reflection in a safe environment. The Labs offer a diverse community of learners a proven process to “Learn, Do and Lead ©.” Lab learners have overcome their fears of speaking to become Club Officers, speakers at community events, and confident communicators.

Our content and curriculum focus on STEAM topics and promote equity, inclusion, and cultural relevance for all students.

STUDENTs will learn

          1.  How to give 3-5-minute presentations
          2. How to Listen effectively to connect and engage with others
          3. How to Give Feedback in a way that others will listen and learn from you
          4. How to deeply reflect, introspect and learn from their experiences.
          5. How to speak spontaneously and inspire others through personal stories
          6. How to take initiative and lead others

    Skills That will last a lifetime

            1. Overcome the nervousness they feel when speaking
            2. Organize and present their ideas and stories in an effective way
            3. Listen with focus, positive intentions, and be in the present
            4. Offer feedback & advice to help their peers learn and improve
            5. Learn, participate, and possibly lead a discussion or meeting
    Image

    overcome fear & anxiety

    Three out of 4 people fear public speaking. Students learn to overcome the barriers to effective communications in person, on Zoom, and on video.

    Image

    improve communications skills

    Organize and present ideas and stories in a compelling way for class presentations, live media, or interviews.
    Image

    increase creativity & critical thinking

    Lab activities are designed to promote spontaneous speaking, critical thinking & creativity.
    Image

    build social & emotional relationships

    Students learn to actively listen to give constructive feedback and to foster growth and confidence in themself and in others.
    Image

    Involvement in School

    Students with stronger communications skills and confidence are more likely to get involved at school and get better grades.
    Image

    research validated instructions

    Curriculum facilitated by experienced professionals, teachers, award-winning executives, and trained speakers.

    • ”One thing I've learned is that it is better to learn how to communicate correctly sooner rather than later, as the use of communications will always remain an important part of our future."

      Angela, 8th Grade Student

    • "Learning to take initiative, learning about how to be
      confident with speaking, and learning how to give feedback in a way that others can use to help them."

      Makhayla, 7th Grade Student

    • "The Learning Lab has been a great experience! Some of its key benefits are that it has helped me to educate myself on various topics. The feedback givers are great as well because they help you to understand what areas you need to work on. Overall, the Learning Lab has a lot of key benefits and will really improve your communications skills."

      Sanaa, 8th Grade Student

    • "The Learning Lab allows for students to expand and develop their communications skills while in a safe environment so that even if they're nervous or make a mistake, it's ok, and they know no one will judge them for that. It also allows students to have fun while learning and to think deeply about STEM topics and practice their writing skills when preparing their speeches using the Communicating Outline Checklist."

      Evelyn, 8th Grade Student

    • "I enjoy how it's structured, how there are certain things that we do every day, the games, how we get to learn about new things every day with the speeches."

      Daniel, Student

    • "It has many benefits, but the main one is helping to build public speaking confidence in students."

      Leticia, Parent & Teacher

    • "It helps them boost their self-confidence."

      Laura, Parent

    • "When my parents told me they were going to sign me up for this, I didn't want to be here. I said, "I don't want to go here! And now, I don't want to leave. I wish it could last longer."

      Mikaela, 6 Grade Student

    • "I recently joined a club called Cyber Patriots/Cyber Security at my school. I think the Communicating with Confidence Learning Lab helped me a lot in giving my speech and having enough confidence to do so, so thank you!

      I applied to be an Officer and gave a speech in front of 80+ people!!  I was elected as 1 of 2 secretaries! 

      The Learning Lab has given us so many opportunities this year including presenting at the Empowered: Women in Industry District Event. We've grown a lot, not only in our confidence and public speaking skills but also mentally and personally. 

      Evelyn, 8 Grade Student (2021  Student)

    • "I used to stutter all the time. When I raised my hand to read, I would stutter. But after the Learning Lab... I read in class today. I did it without stuttering."

      Nayan - 5 Grade Students

      Mikaela, 6 Grade Student

    Learn More!

    what students can expect at the lab?

    While students arrive with the expectation that they are entering an online or onsite classroom, after the first Learning Lab, they will understand the following -- what the Learning Lab is and what it isn't. 
    the learning lab is:
    1. A structured, iterative, and experiential process that is student-centered.
    2. Everyone is respected, appreciated, and valued, per the Lab Protocol.
    3. Feedback is provided to promote learning and development. 
    4. A safe space for students to make mistakes, take risks and learn, following the LDL (Learn-Do-Lead) formula. 
    5. Lab Facilitators and students learn from each other. 
    6. Lab Facilitators never underestimate the knowledge and experiences of a child, no matter how young he/she is.
    the learning lab is NOT:
    1. A typical classroom with a lecturer or a sage on the stage. 
    2. There are no grades, no grading scale, no lectures, and most importantly, no judgment.
    3. Judgment impedes learning and is the opposite of love and support, so we leave and check judgment at the door. 

    While assignments are not required, students who thrive in the Lab will take initiative and be motivated to complete their assignments on time. All students are encouraged to take initiative and participate to experience growth in a fun, supportive and safe environment. Most students will complete the Lab with 2-3 speeches! Our high achieving student gave 7 speeches!

    If a student is unwilling to participate, they are discouraged from enrolling.  

    The Lab is structured into four (4) primary segments. We support a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) and universal design learning (UDL) as the guiding structures in California's educational landscape.

    Check out the anatomy of the Learning Lab below.

    Learn More!

    Research shows that weaving together science and language development can increase students’ academic performance in reading, writing, and science. At the Lab, we encourage students to talk about what they have learned in school, what they've learned outside of school, or what interests them. 

    Our goal is to encourage students to speak about what they already know, reinforce what they have learned in school, and reflect on their personal experiences and interests.

    frequently asked questions

    The Learning Lab is an innovative laboratory that empowers a diverse community of learners with tools to communicate with confidence, collaborate and create their career paths. The Lab ignites learners' curiosity about STEAM topics, promotes peer-to-peer engagement, and personal growth.
    We are Working to Bring the Best Programs to you!

    Why attend a Learning Lab?

    Image

    In California in 2020, there are 1.74 million high school students in over 1,300 schools. The competition to get into the university, college, or career of your choice is ever increasing.

    The Learning Labs give students a leg up. They develop foundational communications and leadership skills to differentiate themselves at school and build the confidence to pursue the career of their choice and create their own life opportunities!

    Space is limited. Contact us for information on the next Learning Lab!

    Image
    Register Here!