Immersive Learning Labs
The Aspirations Incubator: Cultivating Youth Development
Through the established Aspirations Incubator, youth-serving organizations and professionals engage in experiential learning activities that enable them to apply theoretical knowledge and evidence-based practices in authentic rural contexts. The youth development incubator fosters problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking by immersing participants in a dynamic learning environment.
Expanding the Reach of the Aspirations Incubator Pillars and Practices
For six transformative years, the Aspirations Incubator has ignited potential and changed the trajectories of over 425 rural Maine youth.
Through a steadfast focus on relationship building and cultivating a profound sense of belonging, we've witnessed soaring post-secondary aspirations among AI program participants. As of May 2023, 90% of Aspirations Incubator graduates planned to pursue 2- or 4-year college degrees or career credentials.
As the Aspirations Incubator moves beyond the pilot phase, the Rural Youth Institute will host the Aspirations Incubator and expand the reach of the model into more rural communities by supporting new AI programming through an immersive learning lab where new sites provide continued learning and experience with what works to support rural youth to build aspirations for the future. Building on the 5 pilot sites, the goal is to establish 7 new sites over the next couple of years, for a total of 12 Aspirations Incubator sites operating in rural Maine communities by the end of 2025.
To learn more about the Rural Youth Institute’s immersive learning lab, please contact us at info@ruralyouthinstitute.org
