Altruism: a true motivator
al·tru·ism [al-troo-iz-uh m] –noun
1. The principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others
It is relatively easy to motivate someone with a dangling carrot if that carrot directly benefits them. However, would that same person be as motivated if that carrot only benefited another? In the end, the answer comes down to the individual. But, we were happy to discover that as a whole, today’s students (tomorrow’s leaders) truly have an altruistic spirit about them.
During the winter holiday, Apangea Learning held a national contest to encourage students to use SmartHelp over the winter break. Unlike previous contests, this contest did not have students competing one-on-one for prizes such as iPods and Nintendo DS Lite. Instead, it had a new twist: altruism.
During this season of traditional goodwill and giving, students would now work together as a class to compete against other classes not for gadgets or pizza parties, but for the opportunity to help complete strangers. Apangea Learning would donate $1,000 to the charity of the winning class’ choice.
The participation in this contest was phenomenal.
Since that contest, Apangea Learning has held additional altruism contests that yielded equally impressive student participation. Winners of these contests (and the charities they chose) include:
- Bill Arnold Middle School (TX): Leukemia and Lymphoma Society North Dallas Chapter
- North Kenwood/Oakland Middle Campus of the University of Chicago Charter School (IL): Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
- Southeast Local Middle School (OH): Akron Children’s Hospital
The students altruistic spirit did not go unnoticed. Click the following links to view a few of the stories that ran as a result of the students’ efforts:
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KDAF Dallas/Fort Worth -CW 33 News at Nine: Arnold Middle School Donates to Charity
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