SAGACITY Take Off

Youth economic advancement

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

The "Sagacity Take Off" program addresses the lack of access to career exploration and financial education, which limits students' potential. In Los Angeles County, systemic barriers in public education restrict opportunities for career exploration and financial literacy, leading to substantial student debt and unclear futures.
Educational Barriers and Financial Illiteracy: Many underserved students lack guidance for career and financial decisions. Only 17% of U.S. high school students take a personal finance course, leaving most unprepared to manage finances.
Mental Health Crisis: This gap contributes to a mental health crisis. Nearly one in five youth in Los Angeles County faces significant mental health challenges, worsened by financial uncertainty and pressure to succeed without support.
Our Solution: "Sagacity Take Off" remedies these issues by providing clear, consistent, and trackable mentorship, helping students discover their value and achieve their fullest potential.

The "Sagacity Take Off" program is an educational tech game designed to address the lack of career exploration and financial education among students in Los Angeles County. It engages 6th to 12th-grade students, particularly BIPOC and multilingual learners, helping them discover strengths, explore careers, and develop financial literacy.
Key Features:
1. Interactive Career Exploration:
"Planets" represent career sectors (e.g., healthcare, technology, arts).
Adventures simulate real-world tasks and challenges.
Branching scenarios provide personalized learning.
2. Financial Literacy Modules:
Lessons on budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt.
Simulated financial scenarios for practical application.
3. Mentorship:
Personalized mentorship with experienced professionals.
Virtual mentors offer feedback and career insights.
4. Collaborative and Competitive Modes:
Students collaborate or compete in challenges.
Multiplayer features enhance engagement.
5. Mental Health and Self-Discovery:
Reflective activities and guided meditations support well-being.
Focus on self-discovery helps students understand values and strengths.
Implementation Plan:
Pilot Testing: Launch in two school sites.
Evaluation: Collect data to refine the program.
Full Rollout: Expand based on pilot success.
By integrating career exploration, financial literacy, and mentorship, "Sagacity Take Off" provides students with the clarity, support, and skills to navigate their futures confidently.

Imagine every student, regardless of background, has the tools to succeed. With "Sagacity Take Off," marginalized students, especially BIPOC and multilingual learners, gain critical career, financial, and mentorship skills.
Enhanced Career Readiness: Students confidently choose careers, breaking stereotypes and accessing new opportunities.
Financial Empowerment: Equipped with financial literacy, students manage their finances wisely, reducing debt and achieving stability.
Support for Marginalized Groups: Personalized mentorship fosters a sense of belonging and empowerment, bridging historical gaps.
Improved Mental Health: Self-discovery activities and guided meditations boost students' confidence and resilience.
Long-Term Community Benefits: Achievement gaps close, economic mobility increases, and a new generation of empowered leaders emerges.
Los Angeles will become a thriving, equitable community where every student has agency to reclaim their power and purpose in society. 

Success for the early-stage "Sagacity Take Off" project will be defined and measured through:
Engagement Metrics: Track student participation rates, time spent on the platform, and module completion rates.
Learning Outcomes: Assess improvements in career knowledge, financial literacy, and self-discovery through pre- and post-program surveys.
Mentorship Impact: Evaluate the quality and frequency of interactions between students and mentors, and gather feedback from both groups.
Mental Health Indicators: Monitor changes in students' confidence, resilience, and well-being using self-reported assessments.
Pilot Program Feedback: Collect qualitative feedback from key stakeholders- students (advisory teams), teachers, and mentors to refine and improve the program.
These metrics will ensure the program meets its goals and provides valuable insights for future expansion.