Explore Year 6. Session 5. Week 1.

Survival, Sculpture, and Sportsmanship: This Week in Explore

This week in Explore was all about resourcefulness, creativity, and teamwork. From mastering survival skills to building nature-inspired sculptures and honing basketball techniques, the Explorers took on challenges that stretched their minds and bodies.

Survivor Quest: Fire, Food, and Traps

Survival is all about using the world around you, and this week, the Explorers dove into essential wilderness skills. They began by researching edible plants and insects, discovering which natural resources could provide nourishment in a pinch. But finding food is only part of survival—catching it is another challenge entirely. Using water bottles, string, paper clips, and cheese, they engineered humane mouse traps, testing their creativity and problem-solving skills.

Knots are another key survival skill, and the Explorers practiced tying four different types, learning when and why each would be useful. The most exciting challenge of the week? Fire-making. After researching how magnifying glasses, flint and metal, and friction from rubbing sticks together can create fire, they put their knowledge to the test. Learners chose a technique and began attempting to start their own fire—an exercise in patience, technique, and persistence.

Art: Sculpting with Nature

In Art, the Explorers turned to the great outdoors for inspiration. On Tuesday, they created sculptures in the style of Andy Goldsworthy, arranging leaves, rocks, and other natural materials into delicate, ephemeral works of art. Then on Thursday, they took on a bigger challenge—working together as an entire studio to construct a large-scale stick sculpture, inspired by Patrick Dougherty. The project required not just creativity, but also communication and teamwork as they figured out how to balance and connect their materials into a unified piece.

 

PD: Basketball Skills and Sportsmanship

On the court, the Explorers brought focus and energy to their physical development. Tuesday was dedicated to skill-building, working on passing, shooting, and teamwork through drills. Thursday was where the lessons truly came to life—scrimmage day. Here, learners not only tested their growing abilities but also practiced good sportsmanship, showing respect and encouragement whether they won or lost.