
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
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!

Competent communications correlate with academic achievement and GPA.
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
- How to give 3-5-minute presentations
- How to Listen effectively to connect and engage with others
- How to Give Feedback in a way that others will listen and learn from you
- How to deeply reflect, introspect and learn from their experiences.
- How to speak spontaneously and inspire others through personal stories
- How to take initiative and lead others
Skills That will last a lifetime
- Overcome the nervousness they feel when speaking
- Organize and present their ideas and stories in an effective way
- Listen with focus, positive intentions, and be in the present
- Offer feedback & advice to help their peers learn and improve
- Learn, participate, and possibly lead a discussion or meeting

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.

improve communications skills

increase creativity & critical thinking

build social & emotional relationships

Involvement in School

research validated instructions
what students can expect at the lab?
- A structured, iterative, and experiential process that is student-centered.
- Everyone is respected, appreciated, and valued, per the Lab Protocol.
- Feedback is provided to promote learning and development.
- A safe space for students to make mistakes, take risks and learn, following the LDL (Learn-Do-Lead) formula.
- Lab Facilitators and students learn from each other.
- Lab Facilitators never underestimate the knowledge and experiences of a child, no matter how young he/she is.
- A typical classroom with a lecturer or a sage on the stage.
- There are no grades, no grading scale, no lectures, and most importantly, no judgment.
- 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.

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
Why attend a Learning Lab?

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!
