Students enrolled in Farming Our Land & Sea investigate how food is raised, processed, and consumed across the globe – and what that reveals about cultures, economies, human settlement, migration, and changing world views. Students explore new concepts, and engage in scientific exploration of the food cycle – from growth, production, and distribution to putting the family meal on the table. Farming Our Land & Sea promotes cultural competencies among young learners through a complement of experiential activities and a series of mindful practices geared towards developing social and emotional understanding and regulation in the self and others.

How do our individual cultures, traditions, histories and beliefs inform how we view the world and our part in it? What can we do to be courageous and kind global citizens? America’s Mosaic brings together culturally and economically diverse students in grades 7-8 from different school districts to help answer these pertinent questions and, in the process, create a more diverse and culturally competent community of learners. This grant improves students’ cultural competence and promotes positive relationships through a series of experiential exercises.

Mindful Transformations brings together culturally and economically diverse students in grade 4 from different school districts. Activities and workshops help participants develop resources in self-understanding, acceptance, communication and goal setting. Students’ cultural understanding expands through a complement of experiential activities and mindful practices geared toward developing social and emotional understanding and regulation in the self and others.

Faces of Culture brings together culturally and economically diverse students in grade 5 from Hartford, Chaplin, Colchester, Coventry, Voluntown, and Windham Public Schools, as well as Odyssey Community School from Manchester who have had little opportunity to engage with culturally diverse peers. Prejudice and misperceptions tend to grow in children who have limited interactions with kids from cultures and ethnicities different from their own. The ability to engage with diverse peers and to broaden understanding and respect for others is paramount for individual growth and community success in the 21st Century. Students explore the many peoples and cultures that make up our nation through a hands-on, minds-on exploration of their culture specific arts. The program offers students a window into the world of diverse peoples and their cultures through their many forms of artistic expression.

Forensic Detectives brings together culturally and economically diverse students from different school districts to work together to develop scientific inquiry skills and improve their knowledge in targeted academic standards while learning to use technology tools to solve a series of simulated investigations. Students also incorporate mindful practices into their learning and interactions to improve their self-regulation and group participation skills when working independently and within groups. Forensic Detectives improves students’ cultural competence and promotes positive relationships through a series of experiential exercises. These encourage teamwork, positive communication and problem-solving skills. Students learn to appreciate the value of different perspectives and establish meaningful relationships that extend beyond their classrooms and school communities.