About SLANT

SLANT: Service Learning Adventures in North Texas, is a service-learning program designed to inspire youth to take up the challenge of improving their neighborhoods and communities in unique and creative ways.  

Service-learning is a proven educational technique which asks youth participants to be involved in all levels of their experience including determining whom and how they want to serve.  Through their service-learning adventure, program participants will create their own learning experience from start to finish.  From creating an anti-bullying campaign and collecting food for pets in animal shelters to planting a community garden and producing a school-wide health fair, participants are empowered to tackle a variety of challenges in their schools and communities.

History

 In 2009, Big Thought was selected by The North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee to design and manage the youth service initiative SLANT 45: Service Learning Adventures in North Texas.  The program operated February 2010 – January 2011.  SLANT 45 was designed to inspire kids to be heroes in their own community and to leave a legacy of service for North Texas children long after the game was played.  By the end of the program in January 2011, 44,140 youth had logged more than 445,000 hours of service to their communities.

Because of the overwhelming success of SLANT 45 and an increasing interest expressed by program participants, Big Thought decided to continue the program on a local level as a constant reminder that when kids are given a compass and the power to spark change, they can shatter any expectation and master any challenge.