EYAA is an abbreviation for EDISON Youth Achievers Award.
The EDISON Youth Achievement Award is designed to promote and recognize achievement, critical and creative thinking and service in Malaysia’s youth, ages 13 to 20. The EDISON Youth Achievement Award provides a unique opportunity for young people to set and achieve personally challenging goals that build character and foster community service, personal development and citizenship.
To earn an EDISON Youth Achievement Award, participants set and work toward individual goals in four program areas :
•voluntary public service
• personal development
•physical fitness
• expeditions/explorations.
Participants can earn bronze, silver and gold certificates. They can also go on to earn bronze, silver or gold medals according to the number of hours they have completed for each program area.
Program Requirements :
▪ Writing a goal and working toward that goal for each program area
▪ Completing a set number of hours for each program area (number of hours required depends on the level of the certificate or medal)
▪ Filling out the record book and time sheet
▪ Keeping a journal on the program areas
▪ Making a portfolio about the process the student went through to receive the awards
▪ Presenting the portfolio
Program Benefits :
▪The EDISON Youth Achievement Award is a program of activities geared to the development of the individual
▪The program is well – balanced, containing four diverse program areas that encourage youth to explore new areas and learn more about themselves and the world around them
▪Participants learn civic-mindedness and develop character (see listed leadership and teamwork skills below) through their experiences
▪The Award encourages leadership skills such as setting goals, self-discipline, responsibility, a desire for growth, a desire to serve others, perseverance, resilience, initiative, vision, courage, etc.
▪In addition to setting goals and meeting a certain number of hours in the four areas, the program requires reflection and a portfolio and presentation. These requirements help participants think about and understand their progress, growth and use of critical and creative thinking skills. As they reflect on each level they can see how far they have come and move on to set higher levels for growth
▪Six levels of the Award provide tangible evidence of success and effort on the part of the young person. This special recognition can act as a strong motivation. The program can also be used as a record of achievement in their college, scholarship, or job applications
▪The use of advisors and validators builds up a list of references that participants can refer to for school and job applications
▪Provides an opportunity for young people to form relationships with adults who will encourage and support them along the way to earning an EDISON Youth Achievement Award
▪The Award empowers young people to take a greater responsibility for their own lives, to discover new talents, to advocate on behalf of others, and to take positive action in the community
▪The EDISON Youth Achievement Award program dovetails nicely with extra-curricular activities in schools, and various youth programs. The Award can act as a value-added component for the personal development of young people
▪ The program establishes a sense of self-confidence, and helps to enhance critical and creative thinking skills. In fact, it gives meaningful and real-life opportunities for young people to use them
▪Because participants have the option to do things in groups, skills for team work are developed, such as negotiation, empathy, motivating others, organization, communication skills, etc. All these are traits that are valued by employers and institutions of higher education.
How are adults involved?
Adults play the roles of advisors and validators. Advisors meet with students at least 2 times a month to help them decide activities to do in each area and set goals. They also coach students on journal writing, keeping their time sheet, filling out the record book, making a portfolio and making a presentation about their portfolio when the student is ready to receive an award. They may also discuss life and leadership skills during meetings. Validators help confirm that the student has reached the goal set and offer advice in that specific area along the way.
