Project Discovery
Evidence-based Career Exploration Curriculum
A hands-on, portable curriculum that helps participants explore career interests, identify strengths, and understand potential career pathways. Adapted materials available.
Used by schools, transition programs, and service providers to support career exploration and transition planning.
What is Project Discovery?
Project Discovery is an out of the box curriculum for career exploration that introduces participants to a wide range of career areas through guided activities.
Participants explore:
- career interests
- strengths and abilities
- workplace expectations
- potential career pathways
The curriculum is designed to support learners in developing awareness of different career options and preparing for future employment. Adapted materials including audio, video and visual supports are available.
PROJECT DISCOVERY GENERAL CURRICULUM
Hands-On Career Exploration with
2 Instructional Levels + Audio Supports
Students Explore Hands-On Jobs and Career Choices to Help Discover their Future
ALL 22 KITS INCLUDE:
• Student Activity Worksheets: Further support academics
• Electronic Files: Word, PDF & PowerPoints: For easy technology
• Academic Integration: Basic English, math and science
• Instructor’s Notes: Assist in easy planning
• Real Equipment, Tools & Materials
• Student Instructions: Fun, engaging step-by-step activities
• Assessments: To assist with progress monitoring
• AND so much more!
WHAT IS ADAPTED PROJECT DISCOVERY?
Hands-On Career Exploration General + Adapted Curriculum
4 Instructional Levels + Expanded Supports
An expanded version of Project Discovery for ALL students!
From students accessing grade-level curriculum to students with autism, mild, moderate, severe, and significant support needs.
ALL 22 ADAPTED KITS INCLUDE:
• 20 hours of instruction per kit
• Completion certificates
• General curriculum + Adapted versions of student instructions
• Simplified text & real-life pictures
• Functional academic worksheets
• Aligned with alternate assessments
• Games & manipulatives
• Role plays and situation cards
• Customizable digital files for easy technology
• AND so much more!
BEGINNING ADAPTED KITS
☐ Cleaning Maintenance
☐ Filing
☐ Greenhouse Work
☐ Grocery Clerking
☐ Hair Care & Styling
☐ Mail Handling
☐ Table Service
☐ Child Care
INTERMEDIATE ADAPTED KITS
☐ Animal Care
☐ Autobody Repair
☐ Caregiver
☐ Carpentry
☐ Food Service
☐ Medical Emergency Services
☐ Medical Patient Care
☐ Health & Nutrition
☐ Retailing
☐ Skin & Nail Care
ADVANCED ADAPTED KITS
☐ Construction Trades
☐ Electricity
☐ Law Enforcement
☐ Small Engine Repair
How Project Discovery Works
Project Discovery provides structured lessons and activities that help participants:
- Explore Different Career Areas
- Identify Personal Strengths and Interests
- Understand Workplace Expectations
- Build Confidence in Career Decision-making the Curriculum Can Be Used:
- In Multiple Classrooms at Your School
- In Transition Programs
- In Small Group Instruction
- Classrooms Where Adapted Materials Are Needed
Hands-on Career Exploration
Project Discovery includes:
- interactive lessons
- guided activities
- visual and adapted materials
- structured exploration exercises
These activities help participants actively engage in learning about careers rather than only reading or discussing them.
Is Project Discovery Right for Your Program?
Project Discovery may be a good fit if your program:
- wants structured career exploration curriculum
- needs adaptable materials for diverse learners
- is building or expanding a transition program
- wants to support career awareness before work experience
Congratulations! New Project Discovery Programs
To search for a Project Discovery sites in the midwest, search the locator map below by entering a zip code and search radius to see the results. Contact Email Heidi Johnson, for more information.
WorkLifeReady is an independent representative for Project Discovery in assigned sales territories. Visit the publisher site for more information:
Sales Territories
Project Discovery is available in:
Iowa | Minnesota | North Dakota | South Dakota | Wisconsin
Document Download Links
Project Discovery Teacher Resources
All dark green bold-faced words on this page are live links to current resources for Project Discovery teaching staff.
Remote and Hybrid Learning with Project Discovery
Teacher Videos: We are hard at work establishing a video library showing teachers using Project Discovery in their various classrooms.
Career Exploration Project Discovery Video
By Deb Goodman, Special Education Teacher, North Branch Minnesota
Child Care Career Exploration
Career Exploration Project Discovery Video
By Stacy Johnstone, Special Education Teacher, North Branch Minnesota
Skin & Nail Care Career Exploration
Career Exploration Benchmark Day Video
Table Service Career Exploration
Adapted Project Discovery Video
By Angila Schmidtke, Special Education Teacher, Burnsville Minnesota
Grocery Clerking Adapted
Adapted Role Play Video
Cleaning Adapted
Using System of Least Prompts Video
Child Care Adapted - Video Clip from a Minnesota Workshop
Dr. Amy Spriggs
Associate Professor, Dept. of Early Childhood, Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling, University of Kentucky
Note: The videography was poorly shot, a group of teachers advised and decided the content was good if you overlook the poor videography.
Using Time Delay Video
Child Care Adapted - Video Clip from a Minnesota Workshop
Dr. Amy Spriggs
Associate Professor, Dept. of Early Childhood, Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling, University of Kentucky
Note: The videography was poorly shot, a group of teachers advised and decided the content was good if you overlook the poor videography.
Project Discovery and Achieve Life Skills
Instructional Strategies Document
Project Discovery and Achieve Life Skills curriculum is extremely dynamic, allowing for a broad range of strategies to match educators’ expertise and classroom needs. Instructors can implement this curriculum using a variety of methods tailored to staffing, student numbers, ability levels, and available technology. The instructional strategies scenarios are based on best practices shared by educators currently using our curriculum.
Project Discovery and Achieve Life Skills
Sample IEP Goals and Objectives Document
Written by Project Discovery certified trainer, Nicky Loch
Project Discovery
Academic Correlations Documents
CTE Prep with Project: Discovery
Project: Discovery at Crosby-Ironton MN
