Session 3: Year 8, WeeK 10 In Review
From Haunted Houses to Chemistry Labs: The Power of Learning Through Doing
spark studio
It Just Takes a Spark to Start a Fire!
Welcome back to Session 3: The Phoenix Has Risen! This week, our heroes embarked on a brand-new journey when the Phoenix appeared—leaving behind a mysterious map to guide the future of our learning. The saying must be true: “It just takes a spark to start a fire,” because sparks are flying as curiosity ignites across the Studio!
Our first clue points us toward badges—but what are they, why do we need them, and how do we prove mastery? As we explore these questions, we’re learning that careful listening and attention to detail are key to discovery.
This ties beautifully to our overarching question: “How is the world changing, and how can I grow myself up in it?” A practice we have put into place is caring for ourselves and others through daily Character Coins. Each day, we focus on one trait—challenging ourselves, being respectful and kind, using manners, showing self-control, and helping others.
As the harvest season reaches its peak, we’re reminded of how nature transforms—crisp air, golden leaves, and the glowing moon guiding us into a time of gratitude and gathering. Halloween, too, invites a sense of wonder and change as we celebrate creativity and community. If your family chooses to celebrate, your hero is welcome to dress up on Friday, October 31! Please remember that costumes should be school-appropriate—no masks, face paint, or weapons. Let’s enjoy this season of magic, moonlight, and mindful fun together.
Finally, a quick note: we have several birthdays coming up! Please email spark@theforest.school to schedule your hero’s celebration so that only one birthday is celebrated at a time.
The Phoenix has risen, and our Sparks are glowing brighter than ever!
lower elementary studio
Curiosity, Chemistry, and Creativity
This week in Lower Elementary was full of discovery—from bubbling chemistry experiments to heartfelt Council conversations, to Renaissance inventions and a touch of marketing magic! Learners stretched their minds in every direction, connecting science, art, and real-world problem-solving.
Chemistry: Mixing Curiosity and Color
Learners became scientists this week—experimenting with how substances interact and transform. They practiced patience, observation, and teamwork as each reaction sparked new questions and wonder.
Council: Building Our Community
Please congratulate our Session 3 Council!
Marketing: Sharing Our Work
As we prepare for future Exhibitions, learners explored how to tell their stories and share their work creatively. They discussed what makes people curious and how ideas gain power when communicated clearly.
The Renaissance: A World Awakens
Our Renaissance journey continued as learners imagined what it was like to live in a time of exploding creativity and invention. They discovered how one idea—or one brave thinker—can change the world.
Spirit Week Next Week!
Get ready for a week of fun and celebration! Each day will have a special theme—stay tuned for details and encourage your learner to join in the spirit of community and play! Check the Facebook page!
Inventure Lab Sign-Ups Are Open!
Check the Facebook page for an update on Inventure Lab! Consent forms are due October 31!
Looking Ahead
Next week, we’ll continue connecting Renaissance ideas to our modern world—exploring how curiosity and creativity still shape the way we learn and live today.
upper elementary studio
Kicking Off a New Adventure in Learning!
Welcome back! We hope everyone had a wonderful fall holiday and some well-deserved rest, because we launched right into some exciting new learning experiences this week.
In Quest, learners began with a blind water taste test comparing tap water, Fiji Water, and filtered water. They recorded both numerical and qualitative data, then came together to analyze their results. The taste reviews were wildly mixed—one learner even described Fiji Water as “toilet water” before learning which sample it was! From there, we launched our new Quest: What’s Really in Our Water? Over the next few weeks, learners will conduct water quality tests, run experiments, design DIY filters, and ultimately pitch a solution to Forest about how we can help everyone stay better hydrated during the day. For Exhibition, they’ll guide parents through their own water quality testing experience.
In Civ, we’re turning our focus to the Middle East during the medieval period, starting with the origins of Islam and the life of the Prophet Muhammad. Learners are creating detailed maps of the early Islamic empires while also exploring the art of fantasy mapmaking—one of Hadrian’s favorite hobbies!
In Story Arts, the Studio is transforming into a team of graphic storytellers. Each learner is developing a comic book that teaches the seven major traits of leadership. To kick off the process, they met with real-life illustrator and former Cartoon Network director Tyson McAdoo, who shared insights into the craft of visual storytelling. Afterward, learners began brainstorming their own characters, plots, and artistic styles.
We’re also thrilled to welcome Mika to our Studio community! Mika recently moved here from Dubai and speaks Arabic, Spanish, and French. She’s already shared her knowledge of Islamic culture, led shout-outs in front of the Studio, and taken on several drawing requests from new friends. She’s been an amazing addition to our crew.
It’s shaping up to be an inspiring session full of creativity, curiosity, and collaboration. We can’t wait to see where it takes us next!
middle school studio
It’s been another full and exciting week for our Middle School heroes! Between hands-on chemistry experiments, rich Civilization discussions, and creative branding projects in Story Arts, learners continue to make incredible progress toward their Session Three goals.
Learner Check-Ins
A reminder that check-ins happen every other week for each Middle Schooler. The schedule is posted on JourneyTracker, so heroes can easily see which day of the week their check-in will take place. This is a great time for learners to reflect on progress, reset goals, and celebrate growth in their personal learning journeys. Guides will email families if their hero misses a check-in and will plan to make it up within a week of the missed check-in.
Quest: The Chemistry of Commerce
In partnership with the Children’s Business Fair at Trilith, The Forest School is calling on our young entrepreneurs to blend science and business savvy as they develop their own chemistry-based products for market.
In The Chemistry of Commerce, Middle Schoolers take on the role of chemists and product designers, creating original goods like bath bombs, lip balms, air fresheners, natural dyes, slimes, and cleaning solutions. Over five weeks, teams explore how chemistry powers real-world products through experiments involving chemical reactions, solubility, pH, and emulsification.
Learners work in collaborative R&D teams to test, refine, and document their formulas, applying the scientific method and making adjustments based on trial results and peer feedback. At the same time, they’re beginning to craft business plans—covering branding, ingredient sourcing, cost analysis, and packaging—in preparation for their product launch at the Children’s Business Fair later this year.
Each group of three includes at least one hero with past Business Fair experience, bringing valuable insights into what it takes to attract customers and achieve success. By allowing heroes to choose one teammate, Guides are balancing structure and choice, helping each team thrive both scientifically and creatively.
Civilization
This week’s Civilization discussions dove deep into misunderstandings about monarchies during the Middle Ages and the key figures who shaped ruling systems during that time. Heroes explored how power, loyalty, and leadership influenced society, drawing parallels to modern governance and decision-making.
Story Arts
In Story Arts, we kicked off storytelling through branding, connecting narrative design to the real-world products heroes are developing in Quest. Using the Story Arts Collective course led by Shivani Kapoor, learners are beginning to craft brand stories, design visual identities, and explore how storytelling makes products memorable and meaningful—skills they’ll bring to life at the Children’s Business Fair.
Save the Date: Homecoming Dance
Don’t forget—our Homecoming Dance is this Saturday, October 25! We can’t wait to see everyone dressed up, dancing, and celebrating together.
high school studio
Session 3 Is Underway!
We’ve officially opened Session 3, and there’s a contagious energy in the Studio as our heroes dive into their newest Quest: The Haunted House Project! This Quest challenges learners to design, build, and operate a fully immersive haunted experience, and it’s shaping up to be a thrilling adventure for both the creators and the future guests.
Our heroes are taking charge of every detail—from storyboarding the theme, designing the set, and managing the lighting and sound to creating costumes, makeup, and marketing campaigns. Each day brings new discoveries and new challenges, and they’re rising to the occasion with creativity, persistence, and teamwork.
We’d love your support as we bring this vision to life! We’re still in need of some donated items to help complete the Haunted House build. Please check your email for a follow-up list of specific items. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference and helps our heroes turn their ideas into reality.
Beyond the excitement and buzz, this Quest has a deeper purpose. Our learners are practicing collaboration, communication, critical listening, and decision-making in real time. They’re learning how to follow directions and respect leadership while also stepping into autonomy—a key developmental balance for adolescents discovering their voice and agency.
While Quest remains our main focus this session, the Studio continues to run on its regular rhythm. Heroes are still engaging in Practicals, attending check-ins as needed, and taking responsibility for Studio maintenance to keep our shared space productive and welcoming.
As we move further into the session, the creativity, leadership, and joy within our community continue to grow. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to experience the Haunted House—a true celebration of imagination, teamwork, and the power of learning through doing.