From Libraries to Labs to Live Theater: our learners take the lead

spark studio

Mapping the Future
Final Weeks and Focused Minds:
The final weeks are upon us, and there's a buzz of excitement as everyone is working hard to earn those Badges. It's been inspiring to watch learners realize what it truly takes to accomplish their goals. The journey hasn’t been easy—there have been challenges and moments of real struggle—but that’s what makes each accomplishment so meaningful. As they push through, they’re not just earning Badges—they’re gaining confidence, grit, and a growing sense of independence.

One highlight of our week was our trip to the library. The moment we walked in, everything hushed. Surrounded by shelves stacked with books, it felt like we had entered a world of whispers and wonder. We were on a very important mission: to seek and find words with digraphs. It required sharp eyes, clever thinking, and super quiet voices. It went something like this: “shhh.” And what a success it was!

A big thank you to all of our volunteers who joined us. We love spending time with you and are so grateful for the time, energy, and joy you bring to our learning adventures.

And finally, the letter of the week is “X” for xylophone! We wonder, who knows how to play a xylophone? What else can you think of that starts with or ends with X? We look forward to the week ahead!

lower elementary studio

Pollinators, Pathways, and Purpose
This week, our learners immersed themselves in the world of pollinators! Each learner selected a specific pollinator to study—diving into its behaviors, habitat, and importance to our ecosystem. This deep research is fueling the creation of detailed sculptures, which will soon be installed along our very own Pollinator Path in Trilith and will serve as a public display of science learning and stewardship.

From Script to Stage: Scotland Comes Alive
In preparation for our upcoming play set in Scotland, learners have taken on the exciting challenge of building props that will transport our audience to Dunsinane Castle. This hands-on production work has sparked meaningful conversations about design, historical context, and teamwork. As the vision for our stage design unfolds, so does our understanding of storytelling and collaboration. It’s been incredible to see learners bring scenes to life with their creativity and ingenuity!

History Revisited: Laws, Leaders, and Legacy
This week, we also journeyed into the past to better understand early civilizations. Learners explored Sargon of Akkad, one of the first rulers of a multi-ethnic empire, and dug into the Code of Hammurabi, one of the earliest known systems of law. These studies sparked thoughtful discussion about leadership, justice, and the foundations of society—timely connections as we also build our own Studio culture and shared agreements.

Math That Matters
We kicked off preparing for math practicals this week by connecting mathematical thinking to real-world goals. Learners reflected on how math can help them reach their dreams and how it will be useful in any profession they choose—whether it's managing a budget as an artist, planning to deliver a lecture as a professor, building a plane as an engineer, or any other role. These practical explorations are designed to make math feel relevant, tangible, and empowering before we move into learners doing the hard work of preparing to prove their math mastery.

upper elementary studio

This week, our learners have been immersed in the fascinating world of insects—exploring how they navigate using ultraviolet light and communicate through powerful pheromones. We’ve launched an experiment to discover whether insects prefer certain colors, and we’re eagerly awaiting the results! This data will help guide our decisions about which plants to include in our container gardens along the pollinator trail.

Several learners are still waiting to hear back from Trilith businesses they reached out to, so if you have any connections in the community who might want to support our project, please let us know—we’d love your help!

In Civilization, we’ve shifted our focus to the Middle East as we explore ancient religions. This week, we studied the roots of Judaism, and next week we’ll begin drawing connections to early Christianity. It’s been a thoughtful and meaningful journey into how belief systems shaped early civilizations.

Meanwhile, our young authors are pouring their hearts into their zines! Their creativity and dedication are truly inspiring, and we can’t wait to share their finished work with you at the end of the session. It’s incredible to see how much their writing has grown!

middle school studio

This week was packed with creativity, teamwork, and meaningful reflection as our Middle School Heroes took big steps toward producing their interactive mystery event!

Monday’s Quest Challenge kicked off the week with full production mode. Heroes broke into their assigned teams—Hospitality, Logistics, Costumes, and Story & Acting—to begin building out the live experience they’ve been designing for weeks. Each team tackled real-world roles, coordinating materials, timelines, and deliverables to bring their mystery to life.

On Tuesday in Story Arts, the focus shifted to the power of sound. Heroes explored how music builds suspense and atmosphere, especially during investigation scenes. Using digital and AI tools, they created music for our mystery event. It was a hands-on way to learn how storytelling goes far beyond words.

Wednesday’s production sprint continued with real-world flair. The Costumes & Props team took a trip to Goodwill to hunt for key items to bring their characters and scenes to life. From hats to a safe, Heroes practiced budget-conscious design and improvisation—just like real production teams.

On Thursday in Civilization, we stepped back from the stage and into critical thinking. Heroes discussed how we evaluate the credibility of historical sources. They considered authorship, bias, evidence, and more—all essential tools for research and future investigations, whether in history or storytelling.

Finally, on Friday, each team began preparing to receive expert feedback on their work-in-progress next Monday. Heroes revisited their team deliverables, reviewed their assets, and fine-tuned their next steps to ensure their pitches, props, and puzzles are ready for professional eyes.

Attention 8th Grade Heroes!
Want to be recognized at Commencement for finishing your Badge Plan early? Here's how:

Deadline: Friday, May 9 at 3 PM
Who: Rising High Schoolers Only (8th Grade)
How: Email a Guide with a screenshot of your completed Badge Plan
Perks: You’ll be recognized at Commencement
Plus: You’ll also present to the Studio: “Are you going fast, deep, or broad with your final weeks in Middle School?”

Let’s finish strong, Heroes!

high school studio

Real-World Innovation
This week in the Studio, we dove headfirst into our final Quest of the year—and it’s one that truly pushes our Heroes to think big and solve real problems. We’re thrilled to announce a unique opportunity to partner with Epic Solutions, a cutting-edge company that has invited our Heroes to help tackle complex challenges in medical devices, bio-manufacturing, and food production.

In teams, our Heroes are acting as consultants and visionaries, brainstorming and building tangible systems that could one day improve how people live and thrive. With limited resources and a fast timeline, the challenge demands creativity, collaboration, and quick thinking—all of which our Heroes are embracing fully.

But the week didn’t stop there.

We’ve also been busy behind the scenes with some much-needed housekeeping: reviewing transcripts, finalizing course credits, and supporting each Hero in closing out their sophomore and freshman years with clarity and confidence. Our Guides are working closely with students to ensure that every Badge and mastery credit is accounted for, and that each learner has a clear roadmap going into summer and the next school year.

To support continued growth, we’ve also started building customized summer work plans—ensuring that Heroes don’t just pause, but pivot into the break with purpose, focusing on skill gaps, passions, and personal goals.

There’s a spirit of momentum in the air as we move closer to the finish line. Between bold ideas, real-world impact, and intentional reflection, our Heroes are ending the year just as they began it—with courage, curiosity, and a commitment to growth.

Stay tuned for updates on their innovative pitches and summer goals!

Session 7: Year 7, WeeK 39 In Review