2010-2011 Early Career Fellows Program
The Fred Rogers Center Announces its 2010-2011 Early Career Fellows Program
Technology and media, when used creatively and responsibly, can become powerful tools for learning.
The Fred Rogers Center announces an exciting fellowship opportunity for early-career producers, animators, technologists, writers, artists, musicians, educators, and others, interested in creating exciting, high-quality media inspired by the legacy of Fred Rogers. Through the ECF program, the Fred Rogers Center acts as a catalyst for innovation in media- and technology-based work that advances early childhood development and learning.
In 2010-2011, Fellows will create projects to be used in a new, national initiative of the Fred Rogers Center. The Fred Rogers Center Early Learning Environment is being developed as a virtual community of teachers, home-based caregivers, and families who will be empowered by compelling technology and media-based resources to provide literacy-rich experiences for children from birth to age 5. The Early Learning Environment (.pdf) will use “edutainment” (educational entertainment) to deliver resources, and to encourage interaction, in a variety of engaging ways.
Four Early Career Fellows, nationally selected, will be awarded a $15,000 stipend each. Support also will be provided for expenses related to the Fellows’ work. Fellows will spend one year on the development of their projects, which will be featured online through the Early Learning Environment. In addition to the visibility provided by the Early Learning Environment, Fellows will have the opportunity to present their work at the Fred Rogers Center’s next Fred Forward Conference, in 2012. The new group of Fellows will also become part of an online community to be established by the Fred Rogers Center for ongoing professional development and networking among current and former Fellows.
Program Features
—Fellowships will begin in December 2010 and will end in November 2011.
—The four Fellows will work on both individual and collaborative projects.
—Fellows will work with the Fred Rogers Center, and with each other, mainly through electronic communications. Two on-site meetings will be held at the Fred Rogers Center in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, over the course of the year. (Fellows’ travel expenses for these on-site meetings will be covered.) Fellows will be expected to create new, web-based projects including, for example, games, music, videos, artwork, and other creative applications of media and technology.
—Fellows’ projects for the Early Learning Environment will emphasize the importance of positive engagement, conversation, and social interaction between parents, teachers, caregivers and children from birth to age 5. The following are examples of current web resources that capture the spirit of potential ECF projects
—A sample video, Parentese: http://www.pbs.org/parents/earlylearning/parentese.html
—A sample web application, Literacy House: www.famlit.org/activities/house/
—Fellows’ projects will be reviewed by Fred Rogers Center staff, and by the Center’s Advisors and partners, to provide guidance and to ensure alignment with guidelines for quality and program expectations.
Opportunities
—Focused application of artistic and technical skills to improve early childhood development and learning.
—Orientation to the Fred Rogers Center, the work of Fred Rogers, and the Early Learning Environment at a weekend Fellows retreat for project planning, December 10–12, 2010.
—Access to the Fred Rogers Center’s resources and facilities, including the Fred Rogers Archive, as well as the Center’s national network of partners and contacts.
—Organized, regularly scheduled networking opportunities for peer interaction and discussion with other Early Career Fellows.
—Presentation of Fellows’ projects at the 2012 Fred Forward Conference, to be attended by national experts in children’s media, technology and new media, and early childhood education.
—Participation in feedback on the ECF experience for use by the Fred Rogers Center in ongoing program refinement.
Eligibility
—The legacy of Fred Rogers, the mission of the Fred Rogers Center, and the vision for the Early Learning Environment must be motivating factors for all applicants. The Fred Rogers Center encourages applications from individuals working in diverse fields and creative media: animators, artists, children’s publishers, educators, graphic designers, media producers, musicians, puppeteers, technologists, and others.
—Applicants should be at an early stage in their careers (5 years or less). Eligible applicants also include those completing graduate programs by Summer 2011.
—Applicants should be interested in developing projects to educate parents, teachers, and child care providers about early childhood learning (focusing on children from birth to age 5).
—A degree or professional experience in, or related to, early childhood education or early childhood development is not required.
Application
—For individuals interested in applying, download Application.
—Submit your application by sending all required materials via email to info@fredrogerscenter.org.
—All application materials must be emailed by October 11, 2010. Incomplete applications, applications submitted in print form, and applications received after October 11, will not be considered.
Selection
—Applicants should propose concepts for potential projects to be developed for the Early Learning Environment during the one-year term of the Fellowship. Actual projects to be approved for development will be determined during the orientation retreat for Fellows.
—Rogers Center staff and a panel of experts will review applications based on selection criteria, including but not limited to, the creativity, feasibility, and potential application of the proposed project concept; the extent to which development of the concept would employ new media/technology; a well-articulated understanding of the mission of the Fred Rogers Center, the legacy of Fred Rogers, and the vision and purpose for the Early Learning Environment; a proven academic or professional track record; and the extent to which the Early Career Fellowship would advance professional and personal goals.
—Phone or Skype interviews for the ECF finalists will be held November 8-10, 2010 and will be scheduled individually with applicants.
—The Fred Rogers Center will select four Fellows from across the continental U.S. All individuals will be notified of the status of their applications by telephone before appointments are publicly announced by the Fred Rogers Center.
—Final selection of the 2010-2011 Fred Rogers Center Early Career Fellows will be publicly announced on November 15, 2010.
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The Mission of the Fred Rogers Center
Staying true to the vision of Fred Rogers and emulating the guiding principles of his life’s work, the mission of the Fred Rogers Center is to advance the fields of early learning and children’s media by acting as a catalyst for communication, collaboration, and creative change. The Center’s mission is grounded in principles that are central to Fred Rogers’ unique legacy—a commitment to values-based and value-added work; authenticity in relationships with collaborators and with the children and families whom the Center ultimately serves; and curiosity and innovation in anticipating trends and advancing opportunities for truly child-centered, responsible uses of technology and new media.
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For additional information about the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media, visit our website at www.fredrogerscenter.org, our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FredRogersCenter/, and our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/rogerscenter/.
*For further information about the ECF Program or application process, please email all questions and inquiries to: FRCECF2010@gmail.com.
The Fred Rogers Center looks forward to receiving your application for
the 2010-2011 Early Career Fellows Program.
We appreciate your interest in the Fred Rogers Center!
