We are preparing young leaders for futures fueled by purpose and imagination.
Designed for
-Elementary Schools-
Students write and illustrate their own books to be published on Amazon. They begin to understand their interests as they explore writing and illustrating, publishing and presenting- building confidence and bonding with peers in the process.
Designed for
-Middle Schools-
Encouraging students to dream big and work together, learning to use their core values to inform their self-discovery path and understand how to convert their personal interests into meaningful work. At the end of the program, the students celebrate and share their career projects a Dream Fair.
Designed for
-High Schools-
Students explore compassionate leadership and purposeful work, presenting Purpose Lab projects through pitches or performances. They build confidence, strengthen peer connections, and develop actionable steps for a meaningful future.
Our K-12 programs equip students to align their values, interests, and skills with meaningful projects and purpose-driven career paths.
Since 1990, our Founder, Laurel Donnellan, has partnered with schools and youth organizations to execute programs that help students answer two questions:
1. What is my career dream?
2. How can I make my dream a reality?
Purpose Exploration & Life Satisfaction
Research shows that when kids have a strong sense of purpose, they’re less likely to feel lost or develop screen addictions. Helping them discover meaningful goals boosts self-control, reduces unhealthy habits, and fosters long-term well-being.
(American Psychiatric Association, December 2023) (National Library of Medicine, October 2018)
Purpose & Well Being
Individuals who establish a sense of purpose early in life report higher life satisfaction. For adolescents, engaging in purpose-driven activities, such as self-discovery or leadership programs, helps cultivate emotional intelligence, which has long-term implications for mental health, career success, and overall happiness.
(National Institute on Aging, "Long-Term Benefits of Purpose in Life: The Link to Life Satisfaction," 2021.)
Elementary Level Benefits:
Early exposure to diverse careers fosters critical thinking and a love for lifelong learning among elementary students.
-The Times, 'The Kids are all right with Careers Education, Jane Hamilton Feb 2025
Using the Donnellan Method, students systematically capture
key life moments to shape a purposeful future.
Early Career Exploration:
Research indicates that introducing career exploration in middle school helps students discover their interests and strengths, positively influencing their future career choices.
-Knowledge Matters, 'How Career Exploration Can Change A Student’s Path In Life' 2024
High School Career Education Participation:
Engaging high school students in purposeful career path programs has been shown to yield several benefits, including enhanced academic performance, increased motivation, and better alignment between students' skills and future career opportunities.
-NCES 2020-010 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Marietta Bolster
Director of Education Partnerships
'What sets these programs apart is that theanswers lie within the students themselves, not in textbooks or external resources. We offer tools that engage and empower students to explore their potential, align with a purposeful path, and connect with their community.'
