Stepping into our Challenge Zone!
The Challenge Donut
Learners baked donuts to explore the idea of comfort, panic, and the challenge zone. The chewy part of the donut, where real learning happens, is often called the Learning Edge or Zone of Proximal Development which is the line between comfort and challenge. Learners placed themselves as “sprinkles” on the donut with examples of challenges they’ve faced recently. Even the baking became a lesson: ingredients weren’t always measured correctly, a batch had to be restarted, and yet the smell of warm donuts kept spirits high. The coconut glaze at the end was a sweet reward.
Work Cycle
Work Cycle time has become something learners truly protect. They set specific, measurable goals in Beast Academy, Typeclub, Lexia, and their own projects, then circle back to share what they achieved against one of the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Tough) components. Sometimes they fall short, sometimes they’re right on target, and sometimes they go beyond what they planned. What matters most is the growing ownership and understanding of their abilities — and the drive to push themselves higher, especially in areas connected to their bigger badge goals.
Physical Development
PD brought out new leaders this week. On their second day, learners took charge: One coached volleyball, another led basketball, and a third learner designed a speed and agility course with timed results. During reflection, they shared how much they loved leading, while their peers shared how much they valued being coached by friends.
More Highlights
The week was also filled with Team Building Challenges (some still waiting to be conquered), Game Time (with Life and Chess as classics), the introduction of Poetry and Contour Drawings, and a new Studio Maintenance system that prizes excellence over speed. This system encourages both small squad and full Studio collaboration, while offering constant reflection on how the environments we shape end up shaping us in return.
This is only the beginning, and we can’t wait to see all that unfolds as we continue on this “Build the Tribe” quest!
Click here to see some pictures of this week.
