A main component of education at a Big Picture High School is the LTI (Learning Through Interests/Internships). In this internship with an expert mentor in the field of the student’s interest, the student completes an authentic project that benefits the student and the mentor at the internship site. The projects are connected to the student’s interests and meet the needs of the mentors, and are a key part of deepening student learning and academic growth.
Sample projects from Bellevue BP students include: teaching middle school and elementary school classes, working on a local political campaign, working with a professional industrial 3-D design team to develop a new product, working with autistic students at a research program, designing graduation announcements at a graphic arts studio, building model bridges at an engineering firm, creating a promotional video for a physical therapy organization, marketing items for a local non-profit, designing the school art gallery, assisting the IT department at a local non-profit with web design, and learning a variety of computer programs at a financial corporation. Examples of projects from students at other BP schools include: assisting with surgeries at veterinary hospitals, preparing 3-D renderings to present to clients at an architectural firm, teaching classes in middle and elementary schools, developing websites for a design company, assisting in building a database for invoice auditing at Starbucks Corporate, rebuilding carburetors at a motorcycle shop, assisting researchers in biology and astronomy at a local university, and helping to secure dental care for low-income children.
Students, parents, and Big Picture staff work together to secure internships for students based on each student’s interest area. Due to confidentiality and age restrictions, some areas are more challenging to find internships for our ninth graders than others. In these circumstances, we encourage students to explore areas closely related to their interests that would assist them in securing other internships when they are older. Students must show evidence of personal independence and social responsibility prior to an internship experience, including demonstrating proficiency in the internship class components (creating resumes and cover letters, developing interview skills, arranging job shadow opportunities). Therefore, students may start their internships at different times, ensuring that each student is ready to have a successful experience.
An important component of the internship process is for students to develop networking and communication skills, self-advocacy, and initiative. Students are encouraged to stretch outside their comfort zone and immerse themselves in the adult world. Each internship lasts for ten-weeks but may be extended depending on the project work and mentor-student relationship. From 9th-12th grades, internships provide students with multiple opportunities to explore fields of interest, interact professionally with adults in a variety of ways, and complete real-world projects that develop their academic skills. Students are responsible for finding transportation to and from the internship site on Thursdays. For many students, metro is the best option. All internship sites and mentors are carefully screened and approved through the VIBES (Volunteer in Bellevue Educational System) office and the BP Internship Coordinator prior to students officially starting their internship experience.
