RI Experiential Learning Navigator

10/02/2026

RIEXL makes integrating work-based learning into lesson plans easy by connecting educators with employers willing to offer workplace tours, mentorships, class speakers, internships, and more!

On Monday, September 21st, Mike Kudzma, owner of Cranston's Mak Mak Restaurant, shared what it takes to be a restaurant owner to 9th - 12th graders at The MET Highschool.

Mike's presentation wasn't limited to his culinary background. Instead, he centered the business development and entrepreneurial skills involved in keeping a restaurant running. That approach maintained relevance even for students with no interest in fine dining. With 150 students in attendance, that makes a difference!

Sponsored by the Governors Workforce Board
Powered by Junior Achievement of Rhode Island

09/16/2026

We MADE some great connections this week!

On Tuesday we tabled at The New England M.A.D.E. (Manufacturing, Advancement, Development & Expansion) Summit.

From machine shops and shipbuilders to food & beverage producers, robotics innovators, and medical device makers- it really was the region's premiere gathering of manufacturers. We're so grateful for the chance to tell these industry leaders how posting opportunities on RIEXL today leads to the talent pipeline of tomorrow!

Thanks to SBA Rhode Island District Office, the Central RI Chamber of Commerce, Rhode Island Manufacturers Association - RIMA, Polaris MEP, and the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center for cosponsoring!

09/09/2026

We broke our own record! This August was marked by the RIEXL team receiving the most opportunity requests in a single month!

If you're a Rhode Island educator curious about what RIEXL can offer you and your colleagues, invite Kerry to come by for a demo! Just send an email over to [email protected].

09/08/2026

This is RIEXL's second school year actively offering opportunities to Rhode Island educators!

RIEXL.org currently hosts 100+ opportunities on its site. From visiting classroom speakers to workplace tour field trips, these experiences offer both educational relevancy and experiential novelty.

The novelty of these experiences is why students do not forget what they learned from RIEXL. And that memorability is why industry partners value being able to participate! These businesses know being remembered 'for today' builds both a talent pipeline and a customer base 'for tomorrow'.

Through RIEXL, schools get 'real world' education, employers get 'real world' patrons/applicants, and Rhode Island gets stronger.

RIEXL is powered by Junior Achievement of Rhode Island and funded by The Governor's Workforce Board of Rhode Island.

08/28/2026

Back to school doesn't have to be limited to the classroom!

Rhode Island teachers can use RIEXL to make the school year transition seamless. We offer educators career-connected learning from real professionals. Workplace tours, class speakers, internships, mentoring, and more are all available at www.RIEXL.org.



Sponsored by the Governor’s Workforce Board

Powered by Junior Achievement of Rhode Island

08/18/2026

Junior Achievement of Rhode Island and RIEXL had a blast at the Rhode Island Association for Career and Technical Education!

Our team had the chance to present all the (FREE) resources we make available to Rhode Island educators. Middle School educators may feel career-based learning is only for the older grades, so our presentation described how we curate experiences for specific age groups. For example, high schoolers might attend a workshop about operating machinery, where middle schoolers could instead invite a professional as a class speaker. Or, educators could sign up for JA Inspire (jainspireri.org/educators/request), Rhode Island's premiere Career Fair for eighth graders.

To find all that RIEXL has to offer, check out www.RIEXL.org.

RIEXL is funded by the Governor's Workforce Board and powered by Junior Achievement of Rhode Island.

08/11/2026

Thanks for having us, RIASP!

The Junior Achievement of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Experiential Learning Navigator (RIEXL) teams were thrilled to attend the Rhode Island Association of School Principals Annual Summer Summit! This year's theme was 'Empowering Our Leaders, Strengthening Our Schools', with keynote remarks delivered by Dr Miguel Cardona, Former United States Secretary of Education.

In between breakout sessions, our team's table was visited by principals from across the state. We were happy to hand out details for JA Inspire in December 2026- the only statewide career fair for 8th graders. (If you have a class you’d like to sign up, learn more at www.jainspireri.org/educators). Meanwhile, the RIEXL team explained all the resources we have available throughout the rest of year. RIEXL offers Workplace Tours, Class Speakers, Mentorships, and more! It’s a free one-stop-shop to give any lesson plan real-world relevance. All that and more is available here: https://www.riexl.org/opportunities.

If you'd like to follow up with any of our team, don't hesitate to reach out!

Ross Bouchard, Experiential Learning Program Manager, [email protected]
Kerry O'Hara, Educator Relations Program Manager, [email protected]
Justine Caccia, JA Inspire Manager, [email protected]

RIEXL is sponsored by the Governor's Workforce Board and powered by Junior Achievement of Rhode Island.

07/22/2026

Are you one of those educators who set aside some summertime to plan your fall curriculum? RIEXL.org is ready to help out!

Planning the perfect field trip *used to* involve lots of unanswered inquiries and uninspired programming. But with RIEXL, educators can cut through the noise. Our site empowers educators to connect directly with local businesses ‘ready willing and able’ to offer quality educational insight.

Check out all the institutions and employers we can connect your students with at www.RIEXL.org!

06/18/2026

June is RIEXL’s Construction & Manufacturing Month!

We partnered with Nordson to offer a Workplace Tour of their East Providence facility on our site. The partnership was a huge success! Students got a ‘behind the scenes’ look at what full-time manufacturing actually looks like, before having to graduate! This access empowers students to see this work as achievable for them too.

If you know a Rhode Island student looking to ‘get their hands dirty’ with experiential / career-based learning, send them to https://www.riexl.org/opportunitiesgallery!

06/10/2026

RIEXL is dedicating June to highlighting our Construction & Manufacturing Opportunities! Careers in these fields benefit from strong job security, growth potential, and on-the-job training.

If you know a Rhode Island student interested in these sectors, make sure they know about www.RIEXL.org.

Here’s a few to get started:

- YouthBuild Preparatory Academy, Afterschool Program: https://www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/youthbuild-preparatory-academy

- Building Futures, Career Panel: https://www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/trades-career-panel

- Response Technologies, Workplace Tour: https://www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/trades-career-panel

- FabNewport, Internship: https://www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/fab-newport

- JARC, CNC/Welding Trainee: https://www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/cnc%2Fwelding-trainee

- Toray, Mock Interview: https://www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/cnc%2Fwelding-trainee

- We Make RI, Internship: https://www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/we-make-ri%E2%80%99s-manufacturing-exploration-program

Powered by Junior Achievement of Rhode Island

Sponsored by the Rhode Island Governor’s Workforce Board