About the Fellowship
The Woo-Labs Hanover Fellowship seeks undergraduate and graduate students and recent graduates in Worcester, Massachusetts to apply. This position is ideal for those passionate about positive youth development and eager to expand their ability to facilitate meaningful, authentic learning experiences for young people under the mentorship of experienced out-of-school time programming professionals.
WHAT IS WOO-LABS?
Led by Worcester Education Collaborative, Woo-Labs is a coalition of partners providing 1,300+ students annually with hands-on project-based learning in out-of-school time to promote their academic and social-emotional growth. Woo-Labs' Host Partners target Worcester K-6 grade students experiencing persistent gaps in opportunity and achievement. Drawing its name from residents’ nickname for their city, Woo-Labs reimagines education as an ecosystem that includes out-of-school learning, centers students’ lived experiences and agency, and actively works to dismantle bias and inequity.
This school year, Hanover Fellows will serve at Woo-Labs partner organizations focusing on the following three foundational strategies:
1. Providing student-centered, project-based learning opportunities
2. Applying a common measurement framework to support program improvement
3. Promoting students’ social emotional skills
WOO-LABS | PROJECT-BASED LEARNING SUCCESS IN WORCESTER, MA
How it works
Match to a Partner Site
Fellows serve at least 110 hours over the course of the academic year. The majority of hours are spent working directly at the partner site with whom Fellows match to execute Woo-Labs strategies, with a focus on building capacity for project-based learning opportunities and measurement.
Our partner sites include:
Professional Development & Training
Fellows engage in Woo-Labs’ “Community of Practice,” ongoing professional development with fellow members of the Woo-Labs ecosystem to expand their knowledge of youth development best practices.
The Community of Practice includes targeted training and discussion on topics such as project-based learning and fostering trauma-sensitive environments as well as opportunities to visit and learn from fellow Woo-Labs partner sites. Fellows also receive comprehensive pre-service training and ongoing support from WEC.
A YEAR of Service
This is both a Fellowship – a commitment to a set of learning opportunities to promote growth – and a paid position. Fellows must be willing and eager to commit to the responsibilities included here, especially project-based learning and professional development. This robust learning opportunity requires considerable independence and initiative and will be attractive to future employers.
Fellows’ schedules vary by partner site placement. WEC seeks Fellows willing to commit to serving from October to at least April. Fellows serve a minimum of 5 hours/week and may serve up to 8 hours/week depending on the partner site’s schedule. Successful eligible Fellows may be able to continue their experience during the summer.
Fellows in Action
To Apply
Please submit a cover letter and résumé to Emily Dodge (edodge@wecollaborative.org). Please indicate in your cover letter if you have any preference on partner site placement. Priority will be given to applications received by Friday, September 27. Feel free to contact Emily with any questions.
