The Enrichment Project started as a way to encourage Girl Scout adults to learn new things to take back their troops to make their meetings more varied and interesting to the girls. Since 2010, it has grown to include badges that encourage adults to learn more themselves and grow.
So, look at a badge program or two while we’re exploring the Enrichment Project.
Steps
Parts of a Badge Program
1. Steps.
Steps are provided for each badge program. Choose a badge from the attached supplement list of digital badges. Look through the steps. You can do one or more to learn about the badge subject. If you want to change up the step so it works better for you, go for it!
Everyone is at a different level of knowledge and experience. You might find that sticking to one step and digging deeper gives you the information you want or you may choose to do a variety of steps. The goal is to learn something new with a badge program to guide your way so you don’t get lost on the Web watching kitten videos. (I know, I love them too.)
2. Supplements.
Supplements started as a way to show things beyond online resources. They included instructions, lists and samples. It has grown into printables, color sheets, puzzles and more.
Each badge program has two guaranteed supplements — a 12-up, 2.5″ Avery label printable with the badge on it so you can provide recognition to others and a checklist that you can use to either work through yourself or as a template to train others.
As some supplement sets are huge (we’re talking over 20 pieces), not all of them will be released via the blog. Some will be released later as they are updated and created. I’m learning all the time, too, and the supplements reflect this.
3. Sites to explore.
Each badge program has at least one site to explore. These are free resources online where you can learn more in conjunction with the steps and supplements. They might be specifically on point or to carry an idea into an area not really covered with the badge program that I feel works to expand your knowledge.
4. Badges.
Digital badges are available at four levels, depending on how much time you want to spend on it. Josh Kaufman states in his book “The First 20 Hours” that anyone can learn enough about a subject to be somewhat proficient in it with only 20 hours of study / practice. After that, it’s more practice and going in-depth. So, we start out low and build up.
- Tan — 3-10 hours or enough to do a simple project / presentation on the subject. Basically, think about working with young kids who are more interested in doing.
- Copper — 11-24 hours or enough to do a few projects / presentations and answer questions. You can work with older kids who ask questions and actually want answers.
- Silver — 24-39 hours or enough to create a meeting or event and answer in-depth questions. You can work with teenagers and have discussions and relate your knowledge to other activities.
- Gold — 40+ hours so you can run events, train other adults, etc.
It sounds like a lot, but when you start watching videos, reading new things and doing some of the items in the steps, the time will fly!
These badges can be placed into an Open Badges Backpack, shared on social media sites or even put on your own site as proof to what you’ve learned.
When you request a badge, be sure to let me know how many hours you put into it!
5. Certificates.
Need to provide physical proof? A certificate is provided when you earn a badge program. The PDF allows you to save it or share it with organizations you are working with.
6. Request.
To receive a badge, you need to request one from me. Grab my email off the site or the email list. No, I’m not putting it here for all the spammers to find.
When you request a badge, provide the following:
- Badge name
- Hours worked on project
- A paragraph or two of what you did
- Name you want on the certificate
I’ll email you back the digital badges and certificate.
NOTE: Sometimes this takes a bit as this is my passion project. If you don’t hear back from me in a week or two, email me again.
7. Membership.
I’m working on a membership site. All of the printable versions of the badge programs, supplements (original and additional) and other items that support the Enrichment Project will be included. I plan to have everything released through the blog remain free. Additional supplements, printables and more may require a paid membership. I’ll revisit this when I get the project done and see how much there actually is to work through.
Connect
8. Blog.
Originally, this was the only site. However, since 2010 my interests and output have grown. The blog will remain here as it is the central hub of all the projects I am working on. Check out the blog and RSS if you wish to follow the latest and greatest offerings.
9. Site.
The new home of the Enrichment Project. Instead of sloughing through years of blog posts to find the badge programs, they are now pages on the new site so you can follow the categories, release dates or alphabetical list to find what you’re looking for. Organization is cool!
10. Facebook.
facebook.com/groups/EnrichmentProject
After testing both a page and group for the Enrichment Project, I decided to go with a group. The blog releases will be sent there from my personal Facebook page so if you prefer to get your notices that way, do so. I invite you to join me there. You can also ask questions, suggest updates and more!
11. Pinterest.
Each infographic released on the blog is also here so you can find them if images are more your style. They link to the badge blog posts. It’s a great way to see an overview of what is available without looking through my lists. You can check out my interests and even see what pins I’m collecting for future badge programs.
12. Email.
I’d love to state that I send out an updated email weekly, but that would not be true. I am doing better! I also try to go back to the previous email and keep everyone updated. Join to get additional freebies as well. I’d love to share what’s happening with you!
13. Support.
One of the things I don’t have a lot of is time. I choose to spend time providing badge programs for you. I’m a full-time working, single mother. I’m also attempting to start a business so I can spend more time creating content and providing more. If you’re interested, you can check out my Etsy shop or Amazon author page for more information.
- Etsy / larajlacreates — www.etsy.com/shop/larajlacreates
- Amazon / larajla author page — www.amazon.com/author/larajla
Supplements
SUPP_EP Explorer_2in_12up_larajla
- Avery 2.5” round label printable, 12 up
SUPP_EP Explorer_Checklist_larajla
- Badge checklist
SUPP_Printable_EP 2017 Updates_larajla
- List of Enrichment Project badge programs updated in 2017\
SUPP_Printable_EP Badge Sets_2017_10_larajla
- List of Enrichment Project badge sets as of October 2017
SUPP_Printable_EP Badges_2017_10_larajla
- Full list of Enrichment Project digital badge programs as of October 2017
SUPP_Puzzle Fun_WF_EP Categories_larajla
- Puzzle Fun: Word Find – Enrichment Project Categories
SUPP_Puzzle Fun_WF_EP Supp_larajla
- Puzzle Fun: Word Find – Enrichment Project Supplement Types
Sites to Explore
Sites are listed in the steps above.
Get the infographic here > larajla blog post
Get the PDFs of the badge program / supplements here > Full badge PDFs