"Optimism isn't a belief that things will automatically get better; it's a conviction that we can make things better.” - Melinda Gates
Student Resources
*Note: no resources from for-profit entities will be added to this page. Please do not email or otherwise contact me with requests to add resources if you are affiliated with, or representing, any for-profit entity.*
There are many, many resources to help students excel in academics, to grow socially and emotionally, and to create and pursue college and career goals. Here are just a few. See Mrs. Casanova if you need assistance!
EDUCATIONAL SITES:
Khan Academy - Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom.
Quizlet - a mobile and web-based study application that allows students to study information via learning tools and games.
Adobe Express - an online and mobile design app. Easily create stunning social graphics, short videos, and web pages that make you stand out.
Smithsonian Learning Lab - millions of carefully curated, easily accessible, customizable, and shareable open educational resources.
TedEd - Lessons and videos created for students and teachers. Ideas worth sharing.
More of an "APP Person"? Beta Bowl's List of the Best Apps for High School Students suggests 17 of the best educational apps for high school students, from note-taking and study apps to planning and time management, from practical tools to productivity and presentations, you'll find it all in this article!
ESSENTIAL COLLEGE PLANNING SITES:
CollegeBoard - Register for the SAT, free study resources for the SAT, PSAT, and AP exams, search for colleges, search for scholarships... soooo much information!
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) - national provider of student financial aid services, serving millions of students and thousands of schools through its loan guaranty, loan servicing, financial aid processing, outreach, and other student aid programs
Fastweb (Scholarship Search) - a site that matches the information you enter in your profile to scholarship, college, job and internship opportunities.
Christian College Connector - lets you select from over 75 Christian colleges that will send you free information, and holds an annual $2500 scholarship drawing. Completing the free information request form is like attending a huge Christian college fair without ever leaving home.
Education Planner - a great tool to get you ready for life beyond high school. Helps you discover your interests and explore your options.
NCAA Eligibility Center - The NCAA Eligibility Center certifies whether prospective college athletes are eligible to play sports at NCAA Division I or II institutions. It does this by reviewing the student-athlete's academic record, SAT® or ACT scores, and amateur status to ensure conformity with NCAA rules. Any potential D1 or D2 athlete should register by the end of their junior year.
Big Future College Search - One of Mrs. Casanova's favorite college search websites. Enter your criteria and explore the colleges on your list. A terrific first stop on the way to finding the right college for YOU!
FAFSA - link to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the form you must complete in your senior year in order to qualify for grants, scholarships and loans.
Library Science Degrees - an online resource dedicated solely to library and information science, education, and careers. Interested in a career in library science? This is your go-to source for researching careers and college majors in this growing field.
CAREER EXPLORATION:
PA Career Zone - Career exploration website. Create your account, take assessments, identify and explore potential careers, and even look for jobs or internships.
Road Trip Nation - Browse thousands of real-life career interviews, explore resources designed to help you connect your interests with careers, and watch archived episodes of this inspiring and popular tv show.
Career One Stop - a career exploration, training, and job search website produced by the US Department of Labor.
Lancaster County Career & Technology Center (LCCTC) - a full service career and technical school dedicated to preparing Lancaster County high school students for careers in the new economy. See Mrs. Casanova for additional information if you are interested in considering LCCTC for your junior or senior year.
Lebanon County Career & Technology Center - A full service career & technical school for students in Lebanon County. See Mrs. Casanova for additional information!
USEFUL AND... FUN?:
Unplug The TV - an alternative to TV, hosting randomized videos on interesting scientific topics.
https://www.instructables.com/ - one of the most useful online student resources if you like making and fixing things yourself. You can learn anything from how to make spaghetti ice-cream to how to fix a broken shelf.
Woodburn Plus - A library of resources for students and parents that covers academic, transition, college planning and prep, career planning and prep, bullying and school safety, soft skills, life skills, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and vaping, and mental health and wellbeing.
Are you a gamer? Check out Quandry , a cool game designed to help you develop ethical and critical thinking skills. The game can be played on a computer or on your phone.
MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING
Teen Drug And Alcohol Information - Nemours Teens Health is a great resource for many topics affecting youth. This page specifically addresses questions you may have regarding drug and alcohol use.
Mind Your Mind: Reach Out, Get Help, Give Help is an interactive website that promotes mental wellness for youth by providing strategies to maintain positive mental health and tips for coping with life stress. It is also co-created by youth!
GirlsHealth.gov - Created by the US Dept of Health & Human Services Office on Women's Health, this site offers girls reliable, useful information on health and well-being, covering hundreds of topics.
StopBullying.gov provides information from various government agencies on what bullying is, what cyberbullying is, who is at risk, and how you can prevent and respond to bullying.
Mind Games: Tech & The Developing Teen Brain From Frontiers For Young Minds, this site is all about how technology can affect your developing brain.