The
Bridges
Project
healing
bridging
thriving
Project Design Lab culminating event at The Lincoln School - Erin Maile O'Keefe, Teaching Artist.
June 24-28 / Burlington, Vermont
Bridges connect.
What bridges exist in our community?
What bridges can we build to help our community thrive?
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Our youth, families and communities are facing unprecedented challenges to their well-being and resilience.
Bridges help us overcome obstacles, and create access to resources and relationships needed for our schools and communities to thrive.
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The Bridges Project brings your school and community together creatively – making things they care about – to celebrate and revitalize the bridges that connect us to each other, and to imagine and build new bridges that ensure our schools and communities are welcoming places where everyone can thrive.
How does The Bridges Project work?
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Build a team of three or more educators from your school or district to attend the Project Design Lab, June 24-28 in Burlington.
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Design your project in collaboration with master teaching artists at the Project Design Lab.
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Customize your project to meet the needs of your classrooms and school community.
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Implement your project with your team during the 2024-25 school year.
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Celebrate your project with a public culminating event that brings the whole community together.
QUICK LINKS
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What To Expect
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Build a project plan to strengthen your classroom’s and school’s culture of empathy, respect, collaboration, and sense of belonging.
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Refuel your creativity and imagination in collaboration with master teaching artists and guest artists.
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Re-imagine how creative engagement – making things we care about – can strengthen your school culture.
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Rejuvenate and have fun!
Interested in learning more?
​If you are interested in brining The Bridges Project to your school or district, please complete the Interest Form and we will be in touch to answer any questions and help you begin the process of organizing a team.
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What Educators Say
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The whole PDL journey has been really wonderful. It's great to see teachers taking so much ownership of a project that has the potential to impact our whole community.
- Ameilia Donahey / Principal, Ottauquechee School
What
Educators Say
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"This week has given me new ideas about how to build community, relationships, and belonging with my new group of students."
– Amie Milizia-Fisher / Math & Science, Browns River Middle School
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"It was incredible that we built such a community and sense of belonging within our group within a short time."
– Melissa Hunkins / Science, Peoples Middle School
"This is energizing my curriculum for next year, and into the years to come!"
– Dorcey Hogg, Georgia Elementary School
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Joyfulness at the Project Design Lab
Tuition
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$2,000 - Three graduate credits
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$1,790 - Certificate of Participation for 40 hours re-certification credits.
Tuition includes a private air-conditioned dorm room with a centrally located private bath at the University of Vermont, plus breakfast and lunch. Everyone is on their own for dinner in Burlington. Lodging is optional.
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Teams
A Bridges Project requires a team of three or more educators from a school or district.
Teams can be from the same grades and content areas, or mixed, and can include classroom teachers, arts teachers (visual, theater, music, dance), councilors, paras, special educators, staff, and administrators.
Teams may include educators from different schools in the district if you want to design a multi-school residency. For examples of teams, visit Project Snapshots.
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Teaching Artist or your school's Arts Specialists
Bridges Projects require a collaboration with a teaching artist for a multi-day residency or a school/district team that includes a school arts specialist (visual, music, dance, theater).
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If you would like to engage a teaching artist to collaborate with your team, complete the Interest Form and we will contact you to discuss the teaching artist options and funding sources your school may qualify for to cover the teaching artist residency fee.
FAQ
Visit the PDL FAQ page for answers to questions about team participation, tuition & fees, lodging & meals, daily schedule, teaching artist selection, and more.
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Project Snapshots
See examples of previous projects created at the Project Design Lab here.
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Questions?
Complete the PDL Questions Form, and we'll be in touch soon.
We invite you to let us know about specific accommodations you may need to participate in the Project Design Lab when you complete the Registration Form, and we will make every effort to honor your request.
Accrediting Institution
