Over 250 parents and students gathered at East Lake Academy to learn more about identifying and living with autism. The program was hosted by 25 of the students in the school’s Life On Point group. Each year, Life On Point facilitators help students identify their ability to create change in their community by encouraging students to choose and carry out a service project.
Participants walked through a series of interactive, student-led stations designed to share facts and illustrate the challenges of living with autism. Each station had a math, science or language component. Participants earned puzzle pieces after completing each activity and exchanged them for a prize at the end of the night.
Becky Kean, East Lake Academy Life On Point facilitator said, “I am proud of how the students conducted themselves and took ownership of the event. I loved walking past the stations and hearing the students passionately sharing what they have learned through their research.”
Lakesha Carson, principal of East Lake Academy said, “To watch the students take an idea of their own, research the topic, plan the details, organize the layout, and then lead each station is what teaching and learning are all about at ELA. We are grateful for the collaboration and support that our students received from On Point and our parents for supporting their efforts in autism awareness.”
Special thanks to Little Caesars, McDonald’s and the Chattanooga Autism Center for supporting this project.