Frederick Johnson

Johnson believes that students with meaningful job skills have a better chance of becoming productive citizens in society than those who don't have any. His program idea, "The Data Collection Squared Project - (DC)2", gives students who have made poor choices in the past an opportunity for a successful future. Between 25 and 30 students in grades seven through 12 will convert book knowledge into actual job experience by participating in hands-on experiments and activities in the field. Students who have become a part of Columbia's juvenile justice system will be afforded an opportunity to interact with real field experts who will conduct lectures and demonstrations and help collect data using equipment and supplies actually used on the job. In addition to acquiring the performance skills to secure a meaningful job, the project also incorporates core areas of learning such as biology, science, math and physiology into development training. After completing the program, students will have the skills they need to explore careers suited to their individual strengths. Johnson hopes to expand the project to another 300-350 students throughout the district. He lives in Columbia.