Project Spark: Life Skills Lab for Neurodiversity

Team Lead: Chris Lin, James Qian, Joyce Yan
Team Member: Coco Ye, William Cheng, Yiqian Wang

Project Abstract:

This summer initiative is dedicated to empowering neurodiverse students through connection, practical learning, and community. For many neurodivergent children and youths, the summer months present a significant challenge. The abrupt loss of the school-year routine can lead to increased stress and a sense of loss. Without the daily framework of the classroom, social isolation often sets in, further limiting opportunities to engage in the natural social interactions that build essential life skills.

Our project centers on recurring, structured workshops designed to equip neurodivergent students with essential real-world life skills that are often underrepresented in traditional academic settings. Each workshop would target a specific competency area, such as financial literacy, where they would learn budgeting, understanding expenses, and making informed purchasing decisions; public transportation navigation, where they would interpret schedules, plan routes, navigate through airports or stations, and ask for help; other social scenarios, such as ordering food, grocery shopping, or job interviews; and other fun activities, such as art, music, and outdoor events.

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