From Ancient Civilizations to Future Innovations

spark studio

A Big Thank You & A Sneak Peek at What’s Next!

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us on our research journey to LEGO Discovery and Ethridge Park! Thank you for keeping us safe. Your support and participation have been invaluable, and we’re thrilled to announce that we’re ready to bring our ideas to life and begin creating our all-inclusive parks out of LEGOs to present at our upcoming Exhibition on Thursday, February 13, from 8:30–9:45 a.m. We couldn't have reached this stage without each of you, and we’re excited to see what we create together.

As we continue to work on our project, we’re still in need of extra LEGO pieces. If you have any LEGOs that you're willing to donate, we’d greatly appreciate it! Every little brick helps us get closer to our goal.

We also wanted to share a bit about how we celebrated Lunar New Year here at our Studio. In honor of this special occasion, we paraded as a dragon through each Studio, handing out oranges as a symbol of prosperity and health for the year ahead. It was a fun and meaningful way to ring in the new year together.

Fun Facts:

It’s the biggest holiday in Asian culture.
It’s also called the Spring Festival.
Various Asian cultures have different zodiacs and traditions. This year is the Year of the Snake.
The dates change every year. After many years of debate, it was decided that it should follow the traditional Chinese lunar calendar.
It’s a time to gather with family and honor ancestors.

Finally, this upcoming week’s letter is "U"—a perfect reminder of all the unique, unified efforts that make our projects so special.

Thank you again for being a part of this journey. We can’t wait to continue building with you!

lower elementary studio

Our learners delved into a variety of topics that are both thought-provoking and practical, while also reinforcing the core values of kindness, respect, and creativity.

In Launches, we focused on the importance of greeting others and treating everyone with kindness and respect. This wasn’t just about good manners but about fostering a positive and inclusive environment for all.

In Quest, we explored common health conditions that affect pets and pet parents who are unhoused. Learners researched affordable ways to treat these conditions, demonstrating empathy and problem-solving skills in the process.

In Civ, we traveled back in time to Ancient China, where we learned about the fascinating trade routes of the Silk Road. We explored how these routes impacted civilizations across continents, shaping cultures and economies. We also uncovered the mystery of the Terra Cotta Army, an incredible historical anomaly that sparked curiosity and deep discussions.

In Story Arts, learners had the opportunity to hone their entrepreneurial skills. They practiced delivering elevator pitches in a Shark Tank-style competition, refining their ideas and tailoring their communication into a compelling pitch. This week, they advanced to Phase 2, where they took their prototypes and pitches to the next level, developing innovative solutions and gaining confidence in presenting their creations.

It’s been an inspiring and productive week, filled with meaningful lessons and creative challenges. We look forward to seeing how these experiences continue to shape our learners' growth!

Thank you for your continued support, and we can’t wait to share more updates with you next week!

upper elementary studio

This week, our learners have stepped into a new era of human innovation—the Iron Age! Through hands-on activities and engaging discussions, they are uncovering how this technological leap shaped civilizations.

In Quest, they have continued developing their pet first aid kits for Project Street Vet. Following the design thinking process, learners have drafted and refined their 1.0 and 2.0 prototypes, incorporating feedback to improve their designs. Their dedication to creating meaningful solutions is inspiring!

Meanwhile, in Story Arts, learners have been crafting pitches for The Guide Tank, where they are drafting proposals for future field trips. This experience is not only sharpening their persuasive writing and public speaking skills but also empowering them to take an active role in shaping their learning experiences.

As we cross the threshold into the second half of the year, we encourage you to sit down with your hero and review their Badge Plan. If they have missing challenges—whether due to absences or choices made during challenge times—please work with them to set clear goals for catching up. For challenges that cannot be made up (such as group projects or labs), reach out to Gage or Kenynon for alternative opportunities.

Thank you for your continued support in fostering responsibility and ownership of learning. Let’s make the second half of the year just as impactful!

middle school studio

At our Studio, each week is an opportunity for growth, creativity, and collaboration. This past week was no exception, as our heroes engaged in hands-on projects that connected history, storytelling, and real-world problem-solving.

We started the week by preparing for a video call pitch with Project StreetVet, an organization that provides veterinary care for pets of people experiencing homelessness. Our team refined the design of the pet care kits they distribute, aiming to make them more cost-effective and comprehensive. The big day arrived when we hosted the video call, presenting our updated designs and receiving real-time feedback on how to improve the kits. They appreciated our thoughtful approach and even complimented us on our verbal communication skills—a huge win for our team!

In Story Arts, heroes wrote the first full drafts of mini-biographies about their peers in the Studio. Using Writable, they provided thoughtful feedback on each other’s work, strengthening both their writing and collaborative skills.

In Civilization, we analyzed the diets of ancient Egyptians to uncover class differences. By creating food pyramids for both upper- and lower-class Egyptians, we gained insight into how access to food reflected social hierarchies of the time.

To close out the week, we returned to our pet care project. Using feedback from Project StreetVet, we revised our pitches, researched common pet health problems, and explored solutions to make our kits even more effective. This second round of improvements brought us one step closer to making a real impact.

From refining our communication skills to applying research for real-world change, this week showed us the power of learning through doing. We can’t wait to see where our projects take us next!

high school studio

This week in the Studio, we honed in on Quest, bringing the bike experience for Trilith back into focus. Our learners revisited the core purpose of the project and realigned their efforts to ensure a meaningful impact on the community. Through discussions and planning, we explored how we can encourage more people to embrace biking as a daily habit while overcoming common barriers.

Beyond Quest, we also took a step back to reflect on the Studio habits that help develop self-directed learners and leaders. As we move further into the school year, it's crucial for heroes to cultivate independence, accountability, and a proactive mindset. We explored strategies that will help them take ownership of their learning journey, manage their time effectively, and work toward mastery with confidence.

To put these ideas into action, every learner mapped out their plan for the remainder of the year. This wasn’t just a casual exercise—it was an essential step in ensuring they meet their goals and deadlines. Each learner created a detailed roadmap and submitted it to the Guides for confirmation, reinforcing the importance of follow-through and personal responsibility.

Additionally, the science lab signup deadline has passed. If your hero has not yet scheduled their lab sessions, they are now responsible for finding an available time to complete this requirement. Science lab pages are a necessary component for earning credit in their science course, so please encourage them to take the initiative. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Brittney or Eleah.

As we push forward into the next phase of the year, we’re excited to see our learners take charge of their growth, sharpen their leadership skills, and continue making meaningful progress. Stay tuned for more updates as they bring their projects to life!

Session 5: Year 7, WeeK 26 In Review