New Program for Teens in Missoula Leads to Impressive Student-Led Projects

One of the best experiences of my high school education in Missoula was the "senior project." For my project, I researched and then built a variation on Benjamin Franklin's Glass Armonica, which was a musical instrument that allowed you to play the wine glasses (or water glasses in my case).

A new program at the Missoula Public Library reminds me a little bit of the senior projects done in many schools, but this program is so much more.

I spoke with Nick Ehlers, Teen Program Director for Dream Bigger, a collaboration with Families First and the Missoula Public Library and he told me about how students are engaged in self-directed projects in a new afterschool program.

“It’s simple but it’s not. We can all relate to it because we’ve all had a project that we’ve wanted to create, but if you don’t have the support structures it becomes daunting,” Ehlers said. "We’re able to break a lot of barriers. When students get excited and take ownership it blows minds of all ages." 

The Program: Dream Bigger Afterschool Program

This free, afterschool program on Tuesdays and Thursdays from after school until 6:00 pm allows students to engage in Project-Based Learning with the collaborative support of adult professionals. Three adults from Families First and the Young Adult Librarian at the Missoula Public Library help students brainstorm and execute projects. Then as a team, the students and adults identify adult professionals that can help the project progress.

"That's like the bread and butter of our program," Ehlers said, "Those adult professionals that can refine and critique those projects."

The idea is that student are given the time and resources to execute their projects. Senior projects are limited to the senior year and there usually aren't resources available. But these student projects are open to teens in 7-12 grade and the students are given $100 seed money to start their projects.

There are currently 10 students in the program. Some of the things the students are working on include:

• a full-length feature film
• animal research including squid dissection and therapy dog training
• robotics
• animation/video game creation
• stop motion animation

The program will culminate in an exhibition, hopefully, out in the community as well as at the Missoula Public Library.

"We're hoping to generate a spark, light fires...be that spark for individuals and organizations to say, 'How can we use and welcome young people's ideas and products into our space?'" Ehlers said.

Are You Interested in Participating? 

There are opportunities for parents and teens to participate in workshops and participation is on a rolling basis. For interested teens and parents, you can apply at this link. It's worth mentioning again that the program is free, and add that they provide snacks.