Explore Year 6. Session 5. Week 4.
For more from Session 5 Week 4, click here: Explore Session 5, Week 4 photos & videos
For more from Session 5 Week 4, click here: Explore Session 5, Week 4 photos & videos
For more from Session 5 Week 3, click here: Explore Session 5, Week 3 photos & videos
This week in the studio was packed with exploration, deep thinking, and hands-on learning. From honing survival skills in Quest, to finding flow in Art, and diving into meaningful discussions, every learner had an opportunity to grow in new ways.
This week’s Survivor Quest focused on one of the most essential survival skills—water! Learners in Explore researched the many different parts of the water cycle, then built a model to illustrate their findings. To put their knowledge into practice, they constructed solar stills to collect water through condensation and used sand, gravel, and coffee filters to purify murky water collected from Shoal Creek last week. Once they completed their Quest challenges, they switched gears to another essential survival skill—fire-making! They practiced using flint and steel, magnifying glasses, and even friction with sticks to create fire.
This week in art, Explorers took their creativity outdoors with a yarn bombing project! They gathered sticks from around campus and wrapped them in bright-colored yarn, transforming them into vibrant sculptures and mobiles.
In PD, Explorers worked on improving their control of the basketball while dribbling. They pushed themselves to their limits, running extra laps and creating their own dribbling challenges, all while cheering each other on.
For more from Session 5 Week 2, click here: Explore Session 5, Week 2 photos & videos
To wrap up the week, the Explorers took a trip to Shoal Creek, but this wasn’t just any outdoor adventure. They collected water from the creek, preparing for next week’s challenge in Survivor Quest: water filtration. Soon, they’ll put their engineering and problem-solving skills to work, figuring out how to turn murky creek water into something safe to drink.
With every challenge—whether in survival, art, or athletics—the Explorers continue to develop resilience, creativity, and teamwork. Next week promises new obstacles and discoveries, and we can’t wait to see what they accomplish!
For more from Session 5 Week 1, click here: Explore Session 5, Week 1 photos & videos
QUEST
In Session 4, learners in both the Explore and Discovery studios rose to the challenge of Chess Quest! Learners ins each studio chose a superpower, such as focus, strategy, and self-motivation, they wanted to grow during Quest. Over the course of the 6 weeks of Session4 they learned about each piece and how they move, they practiced notating each game they played, they were introduced to chess clocks, and they played in chess tournaments. Each Quest day, the learners were challenged to play a 30-minute timed chess game and notate each move. On one day, the learners played a game of human chess! Many learners shared that the timed games felt more thrilling and intense. During Socratic Discussions, Heroes explored topics like sacrifice in chess, the dynamics of fast vs. slow thinking, and the critical role of rules in games.
EXHIBITION OF LEARNING
At the Session 4 Exhibition of Learning, Explore and Discovery learners played their final tournament, a 30 minute game based on their rankings, in front of their guests. They silently and strategically played their opponents and notated every move. After their games ended, learners showed their guests some of the studio tracking visuals they use in their studios, such as their year-long maps of their Big Session Goals. After this learner-guided tour, the Explore learners shared their reflections from the session in their Showcase Presentations and fielded questions from their guests.
FRIDAY OUTINGS
Explorers visited the downtown Austin Public Library on a few of their Friday outings and had fun playing regular, and giant, chess. They also did not let the cold bother them as they hiked and splashed around at Bull Creek District Park on multiple occasions!
See you in Session 5!
This Week in the Explore Studio
The Explore learners took on the role of immigrants applying for U.S. Citizenship in Citizenship Quest, dove deeper into their prewriting in Writers’ Workshop, and created prints in Art.
QUEST
On Monday, each Explorer drew the name of a country from a jar and took on the role of an immigrant from that country. They researched facts about their country, then began their deep dive into facts about the U.S. to prepare to take their Naturalization test next week! The Explore learners practiced together to memorize the Preamble, the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem, with some making flash cards to memorize U.S. states and capitals.
WRITERS’ WORKSHOP
Explorers continued the process of prewriting in order to prepare for interviews with relatives to write their biographies. The learners sat in a circle during the work time to collaborate and support each other with being prepared for the final step on Tuesday.
ART
Working alongside Discovery learners, the artists in Explore carved designs they created into rubber pads and rolled on ink to stamp their block print onto handmade paper.
FRIDAY OUTING
On Friday the Explorers traveled to Pease Park and spent their whole outing climbing a beloved tree and playing in the fallen leaves. They stepped out of their comfort zone and bravely climbed higher than they had before, cheering one another on as they climbed.
For more from Session 3 Week 1, click here: Explore Session 3, Week 2 photos & videos
This Week in the Explore Studio
The Explore learners researched the history of immigration in the United States in Quest, practiced new techniques in Art, and found flow in their Work Cycles.
QUEST
Explorers looked to the past to create immigration infographics about the history of U.S. immigration. The Explorer learners worked in groups with Discovery learners to conduct research research and create infographics. Each group chose a decade between 1820 and 2010 and presented their completed infographic to the studio on Friday. Learners found the answers to questions such as, “what countries did the majority of immigrants come from, what languages did they speak, what conditions caused them to immigrate, and what kinds of jobs did they do when they arrived.”
ART
The learners in Explore began their journey of block printing by trying their hand at carving potatoes. They created designs on tracing paper, carved their design into a potato, applied paint, and made their first prints!
OFF-CAMPUS WORK CYCLE
On Friday, Explorers ventured off-campus to the Central Austin Public Library. They found flow in their silent work cycle and shared excitement over discovering new books, which they then checked out with their library cards. We will definitely be back!
For more from Session 3 Week 1, click here: Explore Session 3, Week 1 photos & videos
The Explore learners ended Session 2 with a sense of accomplishment, reflection, and celebration. Through service, creativity, and connection, they showcased their growth and learning.
On Thursday, Explore and Discovery entrepreneurs hosted an outdoor Trade Show. Learners presented their business ideas, complete with engaging pitches, prototypes, and insights into pricing and profit margins. Guests evaluated the presentations as learners competed for titles like Best Pitch, Best Branding, Most Original Business, and Most Viable Business. The event was a celebration of entrepreneurial creativity and innovation.
Inside the studio, Explorers invited guests to delve into their Writers’ Workshop journey. Learners shared their persuasive writing pieces, explaining their topic choices and presenting key research findings. Guests observed a reflective Socratic Discussion, where learners discussed their writing process, highlighted challenges, and celebrated their personal growth as writers and thinkers.
Explore learners prepared thoughtful Showcase Presentations to share with the Discovery learners. In these presentations, they reflected on their Session 2 Big Wins, the challenges they encountered in their work, and the strategies they used to overcome those challenges. Discovery learners listened attentively, took notes, and asked insightful questions, creating a collaborative space for reflection and dialogue.
Embracing the spirit of community, Explore learners prepared and hosted a heartwarming Fall Feast for the Spark learners. They worked together to make vegetable soup, chopping vegetables and measuring ingredients. During the feast, Explorers served warm soup and cider to the Spark learners, fostering connection and joy through their acts of service.
The week concluded with a visit to Bull Creek, where learners scaled rocks, splashed in the water, and celebrated the end of an incredible session surrounded by nature.
Wishing the Explore community a restful and refreshing fall break!
For more from Session 2 Week 6, click here: Explore Session 2, Week 6 photos & videos
This Week in the Explore Studio
The Explore learners honed their entrepreneurial skills in Quest, embraced artistic flow in Art, and made strides in Writers’ Workshop. A visit to Bull Creek capped off the week with adventure and discovery!
QUEST
This week, Explore entrepreneurs reviewed the essential elements of an excellent pitch as they prepared for their upcoming Exhibition Trade Show. They drafted pitches, rehearsed them aloud, and exchanged warm and cool feedback with Fellow Travelers. After refining their presentations, the Explorers elected an Exhibition Planning Committee. Creativity came alive as learners began designing banners and signage for their booths, setting the stage for a dynamic showcase of their ideas. On Friday, a Guest Hero in Entrepreneurship visited Ascent to share his Hero’s Journey with the Discovery and Explore leaners.
WRITERS’ WORKSHOP
The authors in Explore advanced in their writing process, completing drafts and preparing for the critical stage of final editing. Focused and determined, they worked toward refining their pieces, laying the groundwork for polished and impactful, Persuasive writing.
ART
In Art, the Explore learners were immersed in the flow of the creative process. They continued painting their canvases, collaborating to mix primary acrylic colors to achieve their desired hues. Learners also supported each other in keeping their studio sacred, sharing responsibility for cleaning and organizing supplies. The artists in Explore completed a writing piece that was “All About the Artist,” to showcase their individual styles and artistic influences.
FRIDAY OUTING
The week ended with a trip to Bull Creek, where the Explore learners let curiosity lead the way. They encountered wildlife, scaled heights, and splashed in the water, celebrating the joy of exploration and the natural world.
For more from Session 2 Week 5, click here: Explore Session 2, Week 5 photos & videos
This Week in the Explore Studio
The Explore learners started prototyping in E-Ship Quest, celebrated achievements in Work Cycles, and added paint to their canvases in Art.
QUEST
This week, the Explore learners dove into the world of prototyping in their E-Ship Quest! Building on their entrepreneurial skills, they brainstormed creative ideas and crafted initial prototypes of their products. This hands-on stage was all about trial, feedback, and iteration as they refined their designs. Learners also practiced giving and receiving constructive feedback, helping each other enhance their prototypes to reach the highest standards.
WORK CYCLE
The Explorers celebrated big achievements in Work Cycles, reflecting on their personal goals and the progress they’ve made so far. They shared milestones they’d reached, along with challenges they’d overcome, and set new objectives to keep the momentum going. There was a sense of accomplishment in the Studio, as learners recognized the growth they’ve experienced individually and as a group.
ART
This week, the studio was filled with creativity and color as Explorers added paint to their canvases! With brushes in hand, they experimented with different techniques and colors, bringing their unique ideas to life. Each canvas told its own story, with learners exploring new styles and expressing their individuality through their artwork.
FRIDAY OUTING
On Friday, the Explorers traversed the creek at Willowbrook Reach, hiked along the trail, and swung beneath the trees.
For more from Session 2 Week 4, click here: Explore Session 2, Week 4 photos & videos
https://youtu.be/FlZIvJ77-g4?si=l47AxlEISQkMmytq