Mission Launch Slides Lesson 1: Introduction
MISSION
LAUNCH
Starting your journey toward life after high school.
The Big Question...
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
It's a huge question. Today, we aren't picking a job. We're picking a direction.
Decoding "Post-Secondary"
Post = After
Anything that happens once you walk across the graduation stage in 12th grade.
Secondary = High School
Middle and High School are your "secondary" education years.
LIFE AFTER GRADE 12
Why think about this in Middle School?
Unlock Options
Knowing the paths helps you pick the right classes in High School.
Find Your Spark
Explore what you actually enjoy before you have to pay for it!
Stress Less
Planning early makes the transition to adulthood feel way less scary.
The Four Major Paths
University / College
Academic study for degrees (2 or 4 years).
Vocational / Trade
Hands-on training for specific careers.
Military Service
Service branches with job training benefits.
Workforce Entry
Starting your career path immediately.
STOP & CHAT
"If you could teleport to the day after high school graduation, what is one thing you hope you're doing?"
Share with a partner for 2 minutes!
Vocab Voyager Worksheet Vocab Voyager
Charting Your Post-Secondary Course
Explorer Name
Date
Mission Objective: Match the mission terminology to its correct coordinates (definition). Then, use the map at the bottom to reflect on your current heading.
Coordinate Calibration (Matching)
1. Post-Secondary
2. Undergraduate
3. Trade School
4. Apprenticeship
5. Associate Degree
A. Learning a skill by working directly under an expert (on-the-job training).
B. Any formal education or training that happens after high school.
C. A student at a college or university who has not yet earned a first degree.
D. An educational path focused on learning a specific technical skill or craft.
E. A degree usually earned after 2 years of study at a community college.
Interest Inventory
Circle three things you love doing the most:
Building Things
Solving Math
Helping People
Drawing/Art
Computer Coding
Playing Sports
Being Outdoors
Public Speaking
How does one of your interests connect to a future path?
What is one question you have about "Life After High School"?
Future Navigators Unit
Mission Control Teacher Guide MISSION CONTROL
Teacher Facilitation Guide | Lesson 1
Lesson Objectives
Define "post-secondary" and identify its major branches.
Explain why early planning in middle school is beneficial.
Identify personal interests that relate to potential future paths.
Key Vocabulary
Post-Secondary, Undergraduate, Associate Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Trade School, Apprenticeship, Certification, Vocational.
Pacing
Hook / Slide 1-2 10m
Direct Instruction 15m
Vocab Activity 15m
Interest Mapping 15m
Closing Wrap-up 5m
Instructional Strategies
1
The "Teleport" Hook
When using Slide 6, encourage students to think beyond just "jobs." Ask them about their lifestyle. Where do they live? Who are they with? This helps make the concept of a "path" feel more personal than just a career choice.
2
Addressing the "Why Now?"
Middle schoolers often feel 12th grade is a lifetime away. Emphasize that middle school is the "Free Trial" phase of life. They can join clubs (Robotics, Drama, Sports) now to see if they like those paths without any risk.
Power Prompts
To Check Understanding:
"If someone wants to become an electrician, which of the four paths might they choose? Why?"
To Deepen Thinking:
"Does choosing one path today mean you are stuck on that path forever? How might someone move between paths?"
Differentiation
Support
Provide a word bank with visual icons for the Vocab Voyager worksheet. Pair students for the matching activity.
Extension
Ask students to research one specific "Trade" or "Military" job that interests them and share one fact about the training required.
Campus Quest Slides Lesson 2: Collegiate Options
CAMPUS
QUEST
Navigating the world of Colleges and Universities.
The Crossroads: 2 or 4?
2
Community College
Associate Degree
Often closer to home
Lower cost ($)
4
University
Bachelor's Degree
On-campus living (Dorms)
Research & Specialization
Public or Private?
Public Institutions
Funded by the government (state taxes). Usually larger student populations. Often cheaper for people who live in that state.
Example: Your state's flagship university.
Private Institutions
Funded by tuition and donations. Often smaller classes. Cost is the same regardless of where you live.
Example: Stanford, Harvard, local private colleges.
THE
ACADEMIC
The Major
Your main subject of study (e.g., Biology, History, Engineering). Most of your classes will be here.
The Minor
A secondary subject. Something you're interested in but isn't your main focus (e.g., Psychology major with a Music minor).
Beyond the Classroom
Clubs & Orgs
College Athletics
Dorm Life
MYTH OR FACT?
"You have to go to a 4-year university immediately after high school to be successful."
MYTH!
Many successful people start at community college to save money or enter the workforce while getting certifications. There is no "single" right way!
Degree Decider Worksheet Degree Decider
Comparing Your Collegiate Options
Navigator Name
Date
Head-to-Head Comparison
Feature Community College 4-Year University Type of Degree Associate Degree ____________________ Typical Duration ____________________ 4+ Years Where you live ____________________ On-campus (Dorms) Average Cost Lower / Budget-friendly ____________________
Quick Scenarios
Read each scenario and check whether they should look for a Public or Private university.
1. Alex wants to attend a school with very small classes (only 12 students!) and doesn't care if the school is located in another state.
Public
Private
2. Jordan wants to stay in their home state and save money by using the "In-State Tuition" discount provided by the government.
Public
Private
Reflection
If you were to pick a "Major" today, what would it be and why?
Future Navigators | Lesson 2
Skills Scout Slides Lesson 3: Trades & Service
SKILLS
SCOUT
Expertise beyond the traditional classroom.
THE
POWER OF
A "Trade" is a career that requires specific technical skills and hands-on training.
"Think of it as learning how things work and how to fix them."
Electrician
Plumber
Auto Mechanic
Construction Manager
How do you get there?
Trade School
A focused school where you spend 6 months to 2 years learning one specific job.
Earn a: Certification
Apprenticeship
"Earn while you learn." You work for a company and an expert teaches you the trade while paying you.
Earn a: Journeyman License
MILITARY SERVICE
ARMY
NAVY
AIR FORCE
MARINES
COAST GUARD
Why consider the military?
Free job training in 100s of fields.
Money for college after service (GI Bill).
Immediate salary and health benefits.
Workforce Entry
Some careers allow you to start working immediately and get trained "On-The-Job."
Entry Level Positions
Jobs like sales, hospitality, or office administration often value experience over a degree.
Entrepreneurship
Starting your own business! You are your own boss from Day 1.
"Not everyone needs a 4-year degree to be a HERO."
Think about the people who keep our lights on, our cars running, and our country safe. All of these paths are vital and respected.
Pathfinder Puzzle Worksheet Pathfinder Puzzle
Matching Interests to Future Routes
Scout Name
Date
Route Matching
Match the Future Goal to the Best Path by writing the letter in the circle.
1. Wants to become a Surgeon at a hospital.
Needs medical school
2. Wants to repair high-performance car engines.
Hands-on technical skill
3. Wants to serve their country and see the world.
Service-oriented
4. Wants to learn a trade while getting paid immediately.
Earn while you learn
A. Military Service
B. 4-Year University
C. Apprenticeship
D. Trade School
Skilled Trade Spotlight
Choose one trade mentioned in class (Electrician, Welder, Mechanic, etc.) and answer:
Trade Choice
Why is this job important to our community?
One thing that might be hard about this job:
Future Navigators | Lesson 3
Dream Design Project DREAM
DESIGN
Post-Secondary Master Blueprint
Phase 1: Self-Reflection
You've explored colleges, trade schools, the military, and the workforce. Now, it's time to build your blueprint. This isn't a permanent contract—it's a draft of where you might want to go.
My current "Top Interest" is:
One career that uses this interest is:
The path I am most curious about today is:
4-Year University
Trade School
Military
Workforce
Project Checklist
Identify personal interest
Select primary post-secondary path
List 2 high school goals to get there
Visualize the outcome
Phase 2: High School Prep
What are two things you can do in high school (9th-12th grade) to prepare for this path?
Action Item #1
Action Item #2
PHASE 3: THE VISION
In the box below, draw a visual representation of your "Future Self" on your chosen path. Include tools, uniforms, or settings from that path.
Why this path?
Biggest Challenge?
Future Navigators Final Project
Horizon Reflection Exit Ticket Horizon Reflection
Final Unit Exit Ticket
Navigator
Date
1. What is the most surprising thing you learned about life after high school?
2. If you had to pick one path to explore more in high school, which would it be?
College/University
Trade/Apprenticeship
Military Service
Direct Workforce
3. How do you feel about your future right now?
😰
Nervous
🤔
Curious
🚀
Excited
✅
Ready
The journey has just begun.
