Research That Informs Our Approach

Research that Informs Our Approach

At Vana Lab, our approach is more than innovative—it’s deeply rooted in a wealth of evidence-based research from leading experts in adolescent development, communication skills, and success habits. Our program is designed to equip every teen with the skills they need to thrive. Here’s how our approach is informed by the latest research and thought leadership:

PERSONALIZED LEARNING:
Tailored for Every Child

Supporting Research:

Self-Determination Theory: Grounded in the work of Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, Self-Determination Theory (course) emphasizes the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in fostering intrinsic motivation. We incorporate these principles to ensure that learning is personalized and empowers each child to take ownership of their growth.
Personalized Learning: A study by the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation (pdf) shows personalized learning approaches to be highly effective at engaging students. Data collected from 62 schools that implemented personalized learning strategies demonstrated that students became more engaged and took ownership of their learning process.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Learning Beyond the Classroom

Supporting Research:

Project-Based Learning (PBL): Drawing on “Core Practices for Project-Based Learning” by Pam Grossman and Zachary Hermann, and best practices from PBLWorks (pdf) our PBL approach engages teens in real-world challenges that enhance retention, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Real-World Relevance: Ken Robinson’s insights from “Creative Schools” emphasize the importance of connecting academic content to real-world applications, ensuring that our teens are prepared for the future.
Critical Success Habits: The skills we teach were chosen from core skills corporations value, the 16 Habits of Success based on research from Stafford-Brizard (pdf – 2016), The Frostig Center Success Attributes (pdf), and Peg Dawson’s work on Executive Functioning (pdf).

PEER-POWERED LEARNING:
The Strength of Community

Supporting Research:

Developmental Relationships: Research from the Search Institute’s Roots of Positive Youth Development report (pdf) underscores that “nothing—nothing—has more impact on a child’s life than positive relationships.” This is supported by studies showing that as developmental relationships increase, so do positive youth development outcomes (Scales et al., 2019). “What makes youth programs and settings successful is not so much features of programs as it is the qualities of the relationships in those programs.” (Li et al – 2012)
Vicarious Experience: Albert Bandura’s research (pdf) found that seeing someone else succeed, especially when you identify with that person, can significantly enhance your motivation and belief in your own ability to achieve similar results. We designed the Vana Lab experience to increase exposure to effective role models.
Social-Emotional Learning: The Wallace Foundation (pdf) highlights that adolescence is a critical period for developing social and emotional skills, which are essential for academic success and personal well-being. In programs where developmental relationships are prioritized, students have shown a 30% improvement in their social-emotional skills, leading to better academic performance and stronger peer connections (Search Institute – pdf).

PERPETUAL GROWTH:
Lifelong Learning and Adaptation

Supporting Research:

Growth Mindset: Carol Dweck’s research on the “Growth Mindset” (video) emphasizes the importance of cultivating a mindset that views challenges as opportunities for growth. This mindset is essential for fostering resilience and a love of learning.
Lifelong Learning: Drawing on insights from Adam Grant’s “Hidden Potential” and Seth Godin’s “Stop Stealing Dreams,” our curriculum is designed to instill a passion for lifelong learning, ensuring that our teens are equipped to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world.

The Impact of Skill Development on Long-Term Success

The skills we focus on—and how they are delivered—have a profound impact on your child’s long-term success. Here’s the research that backs our approach:

Success Habits and Sense of Purpose: Programs designed to cultivate success habits and a strong sense of purpose, such as those described in “The Science of Summit,” result in a higher likelihood of students persisting to reach their goals. By instilling these habits early, we help our your child stay committed and motivated.
Communication and Collaboration Skills: Research by Chen et al. (2017) shows that enhancing communication and collaboration skills in middle school students leads to significant improvements in both academic performance and social-emotional well-being.
Critical Thinking Skills: Studies by van der Stel et al. (2018) demonstrate that fostering critical thinking in middle school students leads to significant improvements in academic achievement.
Mindsets and Academic Performance: According to McKinsey (pdf – 2017), student mindsets have a greater impact on academic performance than socioeconomic background. At Vana Lab, we focus on developing positive mindsets to ensure your child is equipped to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential.

Inspired by:

Our approach is informed by research and best practices from the following organizations and institutions:

Additional Resources:

The following research and books have been instrumental in shaping our approach:

Self-Determination Theory by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan
Adolescent Developmental Psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (various sources)
Self-Efficacy Research by Albert Bandura
Smart but Scattered (Executive Functioning) by Peg Dawson
Creative Schools, The Element, and You, Your Child, and School by Ken Robinson
Helping Children Succeed and How Children Succeed by Paul Tough
Hidden Potential by Adam Grant
Core Practices for Project-Based Learning by Pam Grossman and Zachary Hermann
The Path to Purpose by William Damon
Success Attributes by The Frostig Center
Mindset by Carol Dweck
Lighting Their Fires and Real Talk for Real Teachers by Rafe Esquith
How to Raise Successful People and Moonshots in Education by Esther Wojcicki
Grit and Character Lab by Angela Duckworth
Stop Stealing Dreams (What is School For) by Seth Godin

For a comprehensive list of research citations, please see this link.