- Develop a greater appreciation for the value of their own work

- Model teamwork, presentation skills, and positive work habits in a work environment different than their own

- Help children make connections between classroom work and adult work


What are companies’ roles in the program model?

In the KAPOW model, the business makes an institutional commitment with KAPOW and their partner school.

The CEO must support the program, appoint a volunteer coordinator, commit release time for volunteers during the work day for trainings and classes, and host the worksite visit.

How are business volunteers recruited?

Business Partners recruit volunteers

Do the children and teachers see the volunteers’ workplace?

KAPOW’s required worksite visit is uniquely designed and implemented by a committee of volunteers at the company to give students, in small groups, hands-on experience with jobs at the partner’s workplace. During the worksite visit, students will see the workplace in action. This visit is a hands-on opportunity for students to bring together the major concepts about work that they have been learning in the four previous lessons.  In small groups, each with a chaperone, students will visit and be engaged in a number of workstations at the host company.


Do all students in a grade level participate?

KAPOW requires that EVERY CHILD in a participating grade be included in the program.

Under what time frame does the program operate?

Throughout the entire school year, volunteers teach the complete KAPOW curriculum in eight monthly lessons. Teachers provide KAPOW’s curriculum integration activities and student preparation in between lessons.

How are program requirements enforced?

KAPOW representatives visit and call partner sites to provide technical assistance and quality assurance. For more on KAPOW structure and minimum requirements click here for KAPOW Quality Points.

Is teacher training a requirement?

KAPOW’s required Teacher and Teambuilding Trainings ensure teacher support, curriculum integration and joint lesson planning with volunteers.

Do teachers and volunteers plan and work together on the lessons?

Teachers and volunteers plan the first two lessons together in required "teambuilding"  trainings. Program requirements include four one-hour planning sessions for teachers and volunteers to plan lessons throughout the year.

What is the curriculum’s primary focus?

KAPOW’s curriculum focuses on career exploration and SCANS skills. Lesson topics include Job and Career Awareness, Self-Awareness, Positive Work Habits, Teamwork, Overcoming Bias and Stereotype, Communication, and Decision Making.

Volunteers strengthen KAPOW’s interactive and fun lesson activities through real-life examples and hands-on experiences.

Are KAPOW’s lessons integrated into the school’s curriculum?

The "Cross Curriculum Connections" section of each KAPOW lesson in the curriculum provides detailed, specific activities to integrate lesson content to every subject in the school’s curriculum.

Does KAPOW integrate technology into its curriculum?

The Core activities and the Cross-Curriculum Connections activities in the KAPOW curriculum integrate a variety of themes, including technology. Many of our activities from all three levels of the curriculum require that students utilize technology in the classroom and emphasize the importance of technology in the workplace. Following are a few examples:

Level 1-grades 1/2

Self-awareness:  My Occupation

Students draw a picture of what they want to be when they grow up, using Kid Pix or another software program. 

Level 2-grades 3/4

Overcoming Bias & Stereotype: Around the World

What do we think we know about people we’ve never seen and places we’ve never been?  Students choose a place on a world map and discuss or write what they think they know about the people who live there.  Students then research (encyclopedia, Compton’s CD ROM Encyclopedia, MACGlobe, Encarta) the place to find out some cultural facts and compare the facts with what students originally thought. This activity can lead to a research paper.  If possible, use the internet to conduct primary research. 

Level 3-grades 5/6

Decision Making: World Challenge

Explore a software and video program by Edmark (1-800-426-0856) called Strategy Games of the World.  This program, for MAC or windows, helps students understand and perfect their problem-solving and decision-making skills.  The video segment depicts people from many occupations