They used their argumentative writing skills to craft a final Pitch Presentation for their invention. At the end of the cycle, learners had the opportunity to submit their design to the Biomimicry Institute’s Youth Design Challenge.
Propose solutions to ecosystem impacts of environmental change; Analyze plant and animal structures that impact survival and behavior
Define a design problem, develop a model for iterative testing, and create a design solution that addresses a real-world problem
Structure arguments, support claims, refute counterclaims, and present coherently and compellingly
In this theme, Prismarians wrote journalistic articles, became detectives, and searched for clues to solve these mysteries, building evidence models, recording podcasts and filming videos.
Evaluate credibility, reliability, and accuracy of sources; Recognize and analyze bias across sources; Organize and present findings and analysis
Learn, troubleshoot, and use new digital creation tools to create original works or responsibly remix new creations
Construct a model representation based on evidence that describes unobservable mechanisms and portrays shifting variables
Learners explored the tremendous power of our planet’s natural forces. How can these forces bring us both beauty, in the form of natural wonders, and destruction, in the form of natural disasters?
Learners chose from Earth Experiment, Earth Art, or Earth Advocacy projects, and in Co-Lab they worked in teams to travel to Ventis, a town without a power source, and mapped out a plan to save the day. They also wrote poems filled with figurative language inspired by nature in their own backyards.
Analyze and interpret data, construct arguments, and make predictions about how geoscience processes have changed Earth over time
Record and interpret data; Use descriptive statistics to identify changes over time; Analyze and interpret data as evidence to inform theory
Craft: analyze, and choose intentional language; Figurative language; Poetic form and structure
In 2023, the world population was estimated to hit 8 billion. Kids today will have more opportunities than any generation before to learn from and collaborate with those who live thousands of miles away.
The 8 Billion Stories theme presented an expansive menu of options for learning about global cultures through various forms. Learners shared their own cultural story through dance, film, art, or theater.
Describe the elements (language, norms, rituals, symbols, values, and beliefs) of one’s own culture and the culture of others
Analyze performances and determine elements of the culture of the artist; Study, develop, and refine performance techniques
Examine a topic through content selection, organization, and analysis; Use language to deepen meaning and engage audience
We end each year with a service learning focused theme that gives learners an opportunity to utilize the skills they’ve learned in a way that makes a positive impact in their local communities.
Regardless of what our learners do in the future, we believe that the ability to extend compassion, listen empathetically, and build community will prepare them to be leaders in this world.
Develop an action-oriented approach to problem-solving and see how we each can make a difference, including kids!
Work with local stakeholders and community advocates to ideate and execute a service learning project.
Read the autobiography or biography of a changemaker; Plan and conduct an interview with a local changemaker; Use the interview to write a Changemaker Profile.
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