AMAP Website P1.png — AMAP Phase I

DREAM

In AMAP Phase I, cadets reflect on the consequences of their choices and decisions and learn the value of taking responsibility for their results. Acknowledging their power to create the future, they identify goals and dreams to strive for post-graduation and detail the necessary steps they must take to succeed.

Cadets work in teams to create animated short films based on their life experiences and the action plans they’ll implement to achieve their goals. They each contribute their respective skills and talents and focus their efforts to complete the project in a limited and structured time-frame.

To promote positive peer interaction and encourage relationship-building and collaboration, cadets work together to complete all steps of the production.

Writing action plan scripts with titles and morals
Designing storyboards to plan art and animation
Creating all original artwork
Performing voiceover narration
Practicing animation on an iPad

The Phase I workshop culminates with a grand premiere screening for the entire academy to see all films produced before they’re made public. Spokespersons from select teams are invited to introduce their teams’ films and explain the inspiration for their messages and the insights they gained by participating in the AMAP Phase I workshop.

AMAP Phase I empowers cadets to make positive change; to create an action plan for life success while developing 21st Century STEAM job skills.

“What I learned from AMAP is that when people come together for a common cause, they can accomplish amazing things.”

— Cadet Turner, TCA Salemburg

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“AMAP Phase 2 has given me greater motivation to stay at YCA and do better, because it gives me a chance to further my art skills and has shown me different career fields and paths I can take.”

— Cadet Hunter, South Carolina YCA

PHASE 2 - BELIEVE

Outstanding cadets from Phase 1 are given the opportunity to participate in Phase 2, a 55-hour entry-level vocational training program focused on content development for the web. Working on iPads, cadets gain hands-on experience producing media in a variety of disciplines.

Photography
Video Production
Graphic Design
Music & Audio Engineering
Computer Coding

In each lesson, a concept is presented and explained. Next, cadets demonstrate their understanding of that concept by producing a piece of media. The class then engages in a critique and discussion of each other's work. Cadets produce portraits, photo essays, commercials for Youth ChalleNGe, digital comic books, podcasts, digital logos, magazine layouts, basic coding for video games, and more.

With mentorship from professionals in digital media, cadets learn about production, design, and technology-related careers; they gain valuable tools for healthy self-expression; and they learn the skills necessary to market themselves as valuable employees and even entrepreneurs while receiving support in pursuing higher education and employment.

AMAP Phase 2 takes a holistic approach to preparing cadets for their next steps in life. In addition to learning technical skills, cadets attach meaning to the work they produce, creating a context of empathy enhanced by emotion. This context empowers cadets to develop a deeper understanding of how they relate to themselves and how they relate to others, again bringing great emphasis to the importance of their choices, decisions, and actions.

PHASE 2 PLUS - ACHIEVE

Royer Studios developed Animate My Action Plan Phase 2 Plus (AMAP P2+) to merge media arts with general education standards.

This latest evolution of the AMAP program services all Youth ChalleNGe cadets at participating sites, providing them with 21st Century technology training and essential media arts skills including photography, video production, graphic design, and audio engineering.

Since implementation at Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy, GED passing rates doubled, and the number of High School Diplomas awarded nearly doubled. P2+ is now being implemented with cadets at the Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy in Salemburg, North Carolina.

Preparation for Learning Enhancement & Reinforcement

Cadets participate in one extracurricular class per week to learn a skill such as using design software to create graphs and charts, scripting and engineering podcasts, or photographing products for promotional use. Each cadet has his or her own iPad Pro to complete assignments and works with a partner or a team to provide peer-to-peer learning.

A Royer Studios facilitator prepares weekly lessons by coordinating with the general education teachers to design activities focused on what the cadets are studying.

Then, a unique project is developed to be implemented in the traditional classroom, connecting the general education studies with the new skills cadets developed. Cadets make and express personal connections to the subjects they’re studying and become actively engaged in the learning process.

AMAP P2+ helps cadets acquire 21st Century workforce skills, including:

Critical thinking
Problem solving
Technology literacy
Media literacy
Creativity and imagination
Leadership and initiative
Collaboration and teamwork
Oral and written communication skills

Contributing to the Youth ChalleNGe Academy

The media produced by cadets can be used by the academy for promotion and outreach. Parents especially enjoy seeing their cadet’s work on Facebook and often share the academy’s posts, thereby sharing the academy’s page with their network.

“Using AMAP in the classroom has definitely improved the engagement of the cadets.”

— MSG Kenneth Roach, Operations SNCO Michigan YCA

“I’m not used to having iPads and cameras and all that equipment in the classroom, but it’s helped because it’s made learning a fun experience.”

— Cadet Green, Michigan YCA