The Goldilocks Opportunity: Why Project Teams Are the Missing Link in WBL

What if the biggest gap in K-12 work-based learning is not a lack of internships, but what comes before them? This interactive workshop introduces the Goldilocks model of student Project Teams: authentic work experiences more meaningful than a job shadow, yet far more scalable and accessible than traditional internships and apprenticeships. Through real examples from St. Vrain Valley Schools' Innovation Center, where more than 200 students perform paid work for real clients in software, cybersecurity, design, robotics, and more, you will examine the structures behind successful teams, including client acquisition, project management, student hiring, industry mentorship, quality assurance, and compensation. High school students will share their experiences becoming professional contributors. Then you will design a Project Team model for your own district using the framework Real Client, Real Problem, Real Team, Real Deliverable, Real Feedback, Repeat. You will leave ready to start small, with one teacher, one team, and one community partner, before scaling into a district-wide CTE enterprise. All workshops are BYOD and require All Access or Session + Registration to attend.