Outreach

The Young Heroes Outreach Program is made possible thanks to support from:

The AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies

The Boeing Company

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Fox & Roach Charities

The Huston Foundation

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Donor Advised Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation

Lawrence Saunders Fund

The Patricia Kind Family Foundation

Tozour Energy Systems

As well as many individual donors who have generously contributed to the program.

The National Liberty Museum’s Young Heroes Outreach Program is an innovative educational initiative for grades 5-8 that empowers students in the areas of leadership, civic engagement, social justice, and critical thinking through project-based learning. Acting on the principle that liberty is a right every person and community should have, YHOP prepares young people to identify areas where liberty is lacking, and supports them in making social change in their schools and communities. After your students complete our original curriculum, they will establish a Young Heroes Club and execute community action projects that foster long-lasting impact.

The inspiration for the Young Heroes Outreach Program is the Museum’s Young Heroes Award, which, for many years, has recognized and rewarded students who make a difference in their schools and communities. This new outreach effort aims to create more young heroes by activating young people’s abilities, teaching them to responsibly use their rights, and guiding them in the process of enacting real-world solutions in their schools and communities.

How Much Does the Young Heroes Outreach Program Cost?
Thanks to the contributions of many generous companies, organizations, and individuals who sponsor Young Heroes Clubs, the National Liberty Museum’s Young Heroes Outreach Program is available to Philadelphia public and parochial schools at no charge.

How You Can Apply
If you would like to apply for your school to receive the Young Heroes Outreach Program, please click here for an online application. Upon review, we will contact you to set up an on-site interview. The deadline for online applications for the 2013-2014 school year is June 14, 2013.

For further information, please contact: Nick Ospa, Manager of Outreach Education. Email: nick@libertymuseum.org or Phone 215-925-2800, ext. 107

How the Young Heroes Outreach Program works:

What is the Structure of the Young Heroes Outreach Program?

  • Act 48 certified Pre-Program Orientation for teachers and faculty advisors, held at the National Liberty Museum
  • A Museum Learning Experience for all participating students and teachers, including a guided tour and a hands-on workshop at the National Liberty Museum. Transportation to and from the Museum is provided.
  • Four classroom workshops at your school, facilitated by National Liberty Museum educators. These immersive workshops combine direct instruction, hands-on activities, multimedia, role play, group collaboration, and student-directed learning.
  • Three additional workshops with the students chosen to be in the Young Heroes Club, helping them put their knowledge into practice through community action projects.

What are the Requirements for Having the Young Heroes Outreach Program at My School?
All schools are selected through a rigorous application process, which is conducted every year. The process includes an online application detailing your interest in the program, as well as an on-site interview.

Each school needs to have a designated faculty advisor (preferably two) who will coordinate program logistics and help lead the Young Heroes Club. If you are accepted into the program, you and your administration will be asked to sign a contract detailing Young Heroes Outreach Program expectations and learning outcomes. For further expectations, click on the online application above.

How Does the Museum Assess the Effectiveness of the Young Heroes Outreach Program?
We will conduct program evaluations with faculty advisors, teachers, and participating students to monitor student engagement and growth, assess change in school climate, and measure Young Heroes Club projects. Survey evaluations will take place prior to program commencement, after the lessons have been taught and at the end of the school year. We will also use club documentation and data to evaluate the impact of the program.

How Are Faculty Advisors Compensated?
Faculty advisors receive a $500 honorarium, divided into two installments of $250, contingent upon meeting program benchmarks throughout the year. They also receive vouchers for free participation in the National Liberty Museum’s Act 48 Professional Development Workshops, where they may earn up to 45 hours of Act 48 credits. For current course titles, please click here.

Schools participating in the Young Heroes Outreach Program in 2012-2013

  • Andrew Hamilton School (West Philadelphia)
  • Bridesburg Elementary (Northeast Philadelphia)
  • J. Pennell School (North Philadelphia)
  • Southwark School (South Philadelphia)
  • St. Christopher School (Northeast Philadelphia)
  • St. Francis de Sales (West Philadelphia)
  • J.B. Stetson Charter Middle School (North Philadelphia)
  • T.M. Peirce School (North Philadelphia)
  • Universal Vare Charter Middle School (South Philadelphia)
  • William Rowen Elementary (North Philadelphia)
  • Woodrow Wilson School (Northeast Philadelphia)