Welcome to Bright Ideas! With this monthly newsletter, Springboard to Learning will deliver three essential stories to your inbox, keeping you informed and inspired.

City High Schoolers Shine in Poetry Out Loud Contest

Students from four St. Louis City high schools recently competed in the annual Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest.

On February 6, Melanie Cruz-Rendon from Metro Academic and Classical High School, Paul Thibodeau from St. Louis University High School, Louisa Blackmoore from Crossroads College Preparatory Academy, and Imani Brown from Gateway STEM High School – alongside family, friends, and coaches – gathered at Springboard to Learning for the Poetry Out Loud St. Louis City Regional Competition.

Now celebrating its 20th year, Poetry Out Loud aims to improve students' public speaking skills, build their confidence, and teach them about literary history and contemporary life. The competitors recited poems from various literary luminaries, including St. Louis' own Sara Teasdale, contemporary poet Nick Flynn, and Paul Laurence Dunbar, one of the first influential Black poets in American literature.

You're Invited: IdeaBuilder Culmination Celebration

Are you curious about how Springboard to Learning is transforming classrooms and eager to get involved?

Join us on Thursday, March 6, from 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM at the Magic House - MADE for Kids to see learning in action at the annual IdeaBuilder Student BuilderFair!

In the hands-on IdeaBuilder Signature Program, students become young innovators, creating prototypes of products that tackle real-world problems they encounter in their daily lives. These budding inventors then proudly present their creations at a public celebration.

The event kicks off with an engaging information session on how Springboard makes learning come alive. Afterwards, dive into the BuilderFair, where talented students from McNair Elementary will showcase their amazing inventions.

This event is free, but RSVPs are required. Please RSVP to Jessica Eagen by March 3.

Artists Teaching Artists: A Conversation Series

Young Audiences Arts for Learning, Springboard's national affiliate, has been working on something special.

Over the past two years, Springboard to Learning has participated in the Responsive Arts in School Education – or RAISE – program, an initiative brought to life by Young Audiences and funded by the Department of Education.

As part of a vibrant online community, teaching artists trained in RAISE practices have collaborated to spark innovation, reflection, and a shared commitment to transforming education through the arts.

Out of these inspiring conversations, Young Audiences created Artists Teaching Artists: A Conversation Series. In this podcast, teaching artists delve deeper into their artistry, exploring insights they've developed through RAISE and highlighting the role of arts integration in shaping a brighter future.

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