This is a Work-In-Progress!
LOEL directly targets its programs to Learners i.e. people with strong interests in learning challenging material extending beyond what might be supported by any educational institution in which they might be enrolled. We especially wish to support those interested in and engaged in learning the often challenging STEM subjects - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. However, we are not limiting our support to STEM subjects.
We assume that LOEL Learners are already browsing the Internet looking for resources to satisfy their interests and curiosity. Our job is to assist them in locating and successfully employing such resources, including assisting them in finding peers and mentors and helping them manage their learning process. It is also our job to make it possible for Learners to contribute to one another’s success.
The term “Student” emphasizes a person as occupying a role within an Education Institution. Typically a Student is pursuing a Course Of Study defined by the Institution rather than the Student’s own interests. Young Extraordinary Learners tend to be learners whose curiosity and interest in learning goes beyond the scope of institutional programs. We emphasize this vital difference when we call such Students “Learners”.
Adults are, of course, welcome to use our materials in their own Learning.
In addition we welcome Adult Partners who can participate as
LOEL designs its materials to be useful to Learners whether they are enrolled as Students in
We welcome the use of our resources by the faculty or administrators of any educational programs for the benefit of their Students and we consider it to be their job to adapt our materials as needed to fit into their curriculum and classrooms and to satisfy any of their institutional requirements in regard to using our materials.
We welcome the support of administrators, teachers, professors, etc. as Adult Partners.
Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools offer valuable educational programs and credentials. While these programs are increasingly available in the form of on-line materials and on-line courses and prestigious credentials can increasingly be earned through on-line study as well, there remain decided advantages for Learners to participate in programs of these kinds of Institutions, especially strong 4-year programs and most especially Graduate School.
We encourage and support our Learners to enroll in any College, University or Professional School programs which will advance their educational and/or career goals.
Our primary relationship with Colleges and Universities is to ensure that our Learners
We welcome the support of Institutional Faculty, Assistants and Administrators as Adult Partners.
We welcome the participation of Learners’ Families and Adult Family Friends in our programs as we welcome all Adult Partners. Adult Family and Family Friends can have a strong positive impact on the success of Young Extraordinary Learners.
In some cases Family and Friends can present obstacles to a Young Extraordinary Learner’s success. We suggest materials in our Educational Resource Map which directly address some of these issues.
Gathering a medium to large collection of Learners in the same place for an intensive program can be extremely valuable for Learners. Although such programs are not our primary focus we strongly approve of them and are supportive of them in our own way.
We exist to contribute to all STEM Learners which definitely includes the STEM Learners who are participating in any Local Intensive Programs. The people running such programs might easily become official Partners in our organization, especially if they follow the Learning Partnership Model.
We are happy to list local programs in our Resource Directory and help make sure that our Learners, Peers and Other Partners in that local area are aware of them.
Our on-line resources are available for use in Local Programs, just as they are available for Institutions.
To the extent that a group of Local Programs follow a Partnership Model similar to ours with “Learners”, “Peers” and “Others” offering facilitation, improving course materials, allowing Learners to become Peers, etc. we embrace their partnership.
Nearly all successful educational programs in the Past have been tied to a specific institution or local project.
Today the single biggest opportunity for impacting the maximum numbers of Learners is operating effectively via the Internet.
We believe that Local Programs are best created and maintained by committed people in that locality. Participants in those programs get the benefit of local support and addition they can participate fully in any and all Internet-Based programs such as those offered by the LOEL.
Local Short-Term Intensive Programs such as Summer Camps, Science Fairs, etc. have special need of the support of LOEL Programs since when their Intensive is over the Learners may be left without the continuing support needed to utilize the gains from their participation in their intensive program.