ABOUT US
Vela means “come out and shine” in Xhosa
and “candle” in Spanish.
The VELA Scholars program provides Amherst Regional Middle School (ARMS) students with learning and enrichment opportunities after regular school hours beyond what might otherwise be available to them. We work hard to increase students’ confidence, social, and emotional well-being, as well as their academic performance. By working with teachers, interns, community partners, and other students in the classroom and beyond, VELA hopes students will:
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Increase core competencies and comprehension in academic subjects
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Engage in intellectually stimulating and personally interesting projects and activities
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Prevent the loss of recently learned skills and knowledge
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Feel a greater connection to ARMS and the local community
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Have fun while learning!
A Partnership With The Collaborative for Educational Services & Amherst Regional Middle School
ABOUT US
The VELA Scholars program provides Amherst Regional Middle School (ARMS) students with learning and enrichment opportunities after regular school hours beyond what might otherwise be available to them. We work hard to increase students’ confidence, social, and emotional well-being, as well as their academic performance.
By working with teachers, interns, community partners, and other students in the classroom and beyond, VELA hopes students will:
-
Increase core competencies and comprehension in academic subjects
-
Engage in intellectually stimulating and personally interesting projects and activities
-
Prevent the loss of recently learned skills and knowledge
-
Feel a greater connection to ARMS and the local community
-
Have fun while learning!
About Experiential Learning
The VELA Scholars school-year and summer programs use a style of learning known as “experiential learning.” This style of learning focuses on doing activities rather than passively listening or absorbing information. Students engage with lessons in hands-on ways, like through art, music, and physical activity.
VELA uses a type of experiential learning called “project-based learning.” This term means that students receive creative tasks with well-defined end goals to complete during a given time, whether virtually or in-person. Activity leaders and (during the summer) academic teachers create projects that combine academic subjects with fun experiences. For example, VELA scholars may do mathematical drawing, culturally-specific dance, or history-based video production.
Experiential learning, specifically project-based learning, has been shown to benefit students primarily by keeping their attention more readily than lecture-based learning styles. Doing a hands-on activity engages more of a student’s mind than just listening to a lecture, and self-contained projects with concrete goals establish direction for students.