We believe:
- Learning should be ‘hard fun‘: Kids will spend hours doing something challenging if they’re having fun. Prisma designs curriculum that encourages the enjoyment that comes from being deeply absorbed in an interesting challenge.
- Learning happens through making & doing: Lectures aren’t only boring, they’re ineffective. Kids learn more by making their thinking tangible, instead of regurgitating information. You’ll find Prisma learners constructing models, building websites, designing museum exhibits, and user testing new inventions.
- The deepest learning is driven by intrinsic motivation: When kids are motivated by wanting to improve because they care about what they’re learning, they’re more willing to take risks. Prisma learners take pride in what they create, seeking feedback from peers and mentors until their work is their personal best.
- Learning isn’t one size fits all: The Prisma curriculum is personalized in two ways. First, we personalize to learners’ interests, giving opportunities to tailor their learning to their passions and curiosities. Second, we personalize to learners’ abilities, supporting them in learning at the pace most appropriate for them.
- Learning should have a purpose in the real world: Prisma learners never need to ask “Why do we need to know this?” We help kids draw connections between what they are learning today and how this knowledge is applied in real contexts by real people.
- Learning happens in community: Sharing their learning helps learners clarify and refine their ideas and motivates them to produce their best work. We build intentionally small cohorts of learners that get to know each other well. We also build a global community, allowing learners to build relationships with kids all over the world.
- Kids should learn how to think, not what to think: To develop the critical thinking skills they’ll need to thrive, Prisma learners analyze diverse viewpoints and perspectives. We encourage kids to ask questions; we seek their input; and we deeply value their freedom of expression.