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TLE is a not-for-profit organization formed in July 2011 to facilitate the administration
of Exchange City and EarthWorks. Exchange City and EarthWorks have specialized in
the development of unique learning experiences for educators, students, and families
in the Kansas City area since 1980. Our guiding educational philosophy is that individuals
learn best from experience through an immersive role-playing activity called experiential
learning. Our innovative experiential learning model ensures that learning experiences
are memorable, highly personal and interactive. These engaging and exciting experiences
unfold over time and make connections with prior and future learning. Experiential
learning has natural consequences and provides outcomes that are real and purposeful
Each academic school year nearly 15,000 students, 500 teachers, and 3,000 parent
volunteers from almost 300 schools participate in our school-based programs in Kansas
City. These two innovative programs include curriculums that prepare students in
the classroom for an incredible on-site experience at one of our state-of-the-art
venues. Our programs are unique because they provide classroom curricula as well
as a capstone experience where students can put their learning into action for a
deeper level of engagement and learning. From their conception, Exchange City and
EarthWorks continue to impact, inspire, and touch the lives of students on a daily
basis. TLE is dedicated to the continued success of these two important programs.
Exchange City – the city’s first truly experiential learning initiative – was built
in 1980 to teach fifth and sixth grade students about the opportunities and responsibilities
of citizens in the American free enterprise system. Exchange City is a mock city
made up of 14 businesses, including retail shops, government offices, media organizations,
a restaurant, a technology center and more. The city comes to life when young people
take on the roles of business people and civic leaders who work together to create
a thriving metropolis. Entrepreneurial teams collaborate to develop partnerships
and business networking.
EarthWorks, one of Kansas City’s most innovative and effective experiential science
education programs opened its doors in 1996. EarthWorks is an underground laboratory
realistically displaying five Midwestern habitats: soil, prairie, pond, cave and
forest. The laboratory comes to life when young people take on the role of scientists
who work to determine the health of a habitat. Scientific teams collaborate to determine
the health of a habitat as they investigate the necessary components that allow
a habitat to sustain life.
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Mission
Exchange City & EarthWorks…Experiences that Last a Lifetime.
Brand Identity
Empowering Learners, One Experience at a Time!
Core Values
Investigative, Experiential, Curiosity, Discovery,
Learner-Centered, Inquiry-based, Open-ended
Core Purpose
To stimulate a passion for learning through creating authentic, relevant, engaging and memorable experiences.
Guiding Philosophy
Individuals learn best from personal experience…Hands-on, minds-on.
Key Components:
Memorable
Personal and Individualized
Unfolds Over Time
Makes Connections
Natural Consequences
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