Session 7: Year 8, WeeK 33 In Review
From Cabinets to Red Carpets: A Week of Purposeful Work
spark studio
This week was full of building, creating, and celebrating!
Our learners dove headfirst into construction, framing out the lost and found cabinet with real tools and real teamwork. They practiced pre-drilling, measuring with tape measures, sanding, and handling drills with confidence. Collaboration was at the heart of every step — this project simply could not happen without every set of hands working together.
We also paused to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style, learning the Mexican Hat Dance and bringing plenty of energy and joy to the Studio!
Our Monet study is in full swing, and the excitement is building — learners are preparing to be transported straight to Monet's garden in France. The beauty and intention they are pouring into this work is something to look forward to.
Of course, we saved some of that heart for you. Learners have been lovingly working on their Mother's Day gifts, and we hope the lasting bouquets bring a smile every time you see them. They were made with so much care.
As we move into the final weeks of the school year, learners are working diligently to complete projects and demonstrate mastery of their goals. There is a wonderful sense of focus and pride in the Studio right now — we are finishing the year strong, and we could not be more proud of how far each learner has come.
Finally — next week our letter is J, just like jam! We are absolutely jamming into the end of the year! 🎶
lower elementary studio
This week was all about practice, precision, and persistence as learners continued preparing for their final Super Science Heroes videos while exploring the art, values, and structure of medieval Japan.
In Civilization, learners explored Japanese culture and feudal Japan through hands-on making, reflection, and role-based challenges. They chose from activities such as folding origami, designing samurai clan crests, painting ink landscapes, or creating Zen-inspired garden plans. Learners also studied the Kamakura Period by exploring Japan’s power structure, imagining a day in the life of someone from feudal Japan, or creating a Warrior Code poster for a young samurai-in-training. These experiences helped learners understand how art, values, leadership, discipline, and social roles shaped medieval Japanese life.
In Quest and Story Arts, learners are working hard to finalize their Super Science Heroes scripts and ensure their science explanations are accurate before recording begins next week. In Quest, learners continued practicing their experiments and receiving peer feedback on the quality and clarity of their science concepts. In Story Arts, they revised their hook, science explanation, teaching message, slogan, and ending, then shared their improved scripts with a new group for Spinach feedback. After using peer and Guide feedback to make final revisions, learners practiced timing their scripts to make sure their videos are clear, accurate, engaging, and within the 2–3 minute goal.
Other News: We are continuing to see movement on our Behind, On Track, and Ahead Badge Plan Progress Board as learners make steady progress toward their goals. Many learners are excitedly completing book reports for their Reading Badge and locking in to finish Zearn and Lexia requirements. These are excellent examples of our Session focus: “Keep going when it’s hard.”
Question of the Week:
When you are practicing something important, how can persistence help you improve, even when your first try is not your best?
Each hero who shares what their family discussed with their Guides on Monday will earn 100 points toward next week’s Work Plan.
upper elementary studio
This week in Upper Elementary felt like a perfect collision of creativity, technology, storytelling, and teamwork. Between recording music in a professional Studio, learning new 3D modeling tricks, producing podcasts, and pushing hard toward Exhibition deadlines, learners had an exciting and very full week. There is a real sense now that Exhibition is approaching quickly, and heroes are beginning to feel both the pressure and the excitement of bringing all of their work together.
Field Trip to The Music Garden
One of the highlights of the week was our field trip to The Music Garden. This trip connected beautifully to the musical work learners have been doing over the last two sessions through songwriting and our play production. The Music Garden is a music learning center and recording Studio where both groups had the opportunity to step into a real Studio environment and create live music with guidance from our Guide, Michiah. Learners experimented with recording techniques, layering sound, and performing in the Studio setting. The team there also generously gave every learner a $100 voucher that can be used for a private recording session to work on songs or podcasts in the future. They also shared information about their music production summer camps. It was exciting to build a connection with a local creative organization that is eager to continue collaborating with our learners moving forward.
Quest
In Quest, learners continued expanding their 3D modeling abilities and began discovering more advanced techniques through experimentation and tinkering. One particularly exciting breakthrough came from Saint and Calvin, who figured out how to turn a 2D image directly into a 3D STL model file. This opened up a whole new world of possibilities for future projects. We also had Akhari visit on Wednesday, and after some troubleshooting and adjustments, we officially got our 3D printer up and running. Learners are extremely excited to begin bringing their digital creations into the physical world.
Story Arts
In Story Arts, learners moved from drafting into full podcast production mode. After recording their episodes, they began experimenting with editing, timing, pacing, sound effects, and music. It has been exciting to watch learners start thinking like producers — considering not just what they say, but how it sounds and feels to a listener.
Civ
In Civ, work on our Story of the World game, The Silk Road, continues to intensify. Every group now has assigned responsibilities connected to both Civ and Exhibition, and learners are deep into designing cards, pieces, mechanics, artwork, and gameplay systems. The pressure is definitely building, but so is the momentum.
As we head toward the end of the year, there is still much to accomplish. Learners are balancing Practicals, Exhibition preparation, Badge Plan completion, and project work all at once. After Exhibition, heroes will also complete their AARs and Dream Team meetings as part of reflecting on the year and planning forward. It’s a busy season — but this is where it all comes together.
middle school studio
Reflection, Revision, and Real-World Connection
This week in Middle School was full of meaningful work, thoughtful reflection, and moments that reminded us why learner ownership matters.
In Quest, learners continued developing their Exhibition deliverables for their Interior Design project. Teams worked on strengthening pieces such as floor plans, group design pitches, concept boards, budget priorities, materials and equipment shortlists, 3D models or sketches, storage plans, personal design rationales, and individual visual contributions. As Exhibition gets closer, learners are practicing the important skill of taking an idea from “started” to “clear, polished, and ready for an audience.”
In Story Arts, learners moved into the exciting stage of filming for their Short Film project. After weeks of brainstorming, writing, revising, and preparing, teams began bringing their stories to life on camera. This required collaboration, focus, flexibility, and problem-solving as learners worked through the real challenges of production.
We also made time for Circles this week, giving learners space to listen, share, and build trust with one another. These moments help strengthen the Studio culture and remind learners that community is built through honesty, respect, and presence.
Learners also spent time preparing for upcoming Practicals, specifically in Empathy and Goal Setting/Reflection. This preparation gave them the chance to think deeply about how they show care for others, how they set meaningful goals, and how they reflect on their growth. These are not just school skills; they are life skills.
On Friday, May 8, learners hosted a Dream Team Lunch where they shared updates with their Dream Teams. This was a meaningful opportunity for learners to communicate progress, celebrate growth, receive feedback, and invite support from the people who are walking alongside them in their journey.
Across the week, Middle School learners practiced what it means to revise, reflect, connect, and keep going. Whether they were filming a scene, refining an Exhibition deliverable, preparing for Practicals, sharing in Circle, or updating their Dream Teams, they were building confidence as self-directed learners.
We are proud of the way they are stepping into the final stretch of the year with creativity, courage, and ownership.
Onward.
high school studio
“Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience.” — Robert McKee
This week in the High School Studio, heroes stepped into the role of filmmakers as they created “A Day in the Life” documentaries centered around activities and passions they care deeply about. Learners spent time planning, filming, editing, revising, and preparing their final documentaries for a special red carpet showcase in the Studio. Their focus, creativity, and persistence paid off as heroes proudly premiered their work and celebrated one another’s storytelling and growth.
As the school year begins to wrap up, there was also a major focus on accountability, ownership, and finishing strong. Heroes spent significant time presenting Practicals, submitting final work for approval, and making progress toward completing Badge Plan requirements. This season of the year always asks learners to balance creativity with responsibility, and many heroes rose to that challenge this week.
A few important reminders as we head into the final stretch of the year:
Graduation is next week!
Senior transcript meetings will take place throughout the week to ensure all coursework is approved and graduation-ready.
All other hero work is due by May 15, with transcript meetings for remaining learners to follow shortly after.
The High School Studio Six Flags trip will take place on May 26. We will leave Forest at 10:00 AM and arrive back at Forest at 3:00 PM.
We are incredibly proud of the effort, growth, and resilience heroes are showing as they close out the year.
Onward.