Learner-Led Clubs
- VERSO+, Environmental Club and Business Club also facilitated activities such as activism-themed charades, back drawing-chain and product pitching for all to learn more about the clubs’ initiatives.
- The club leaders also facilitated a Middle Loop Clubs Expo with the Grade 7-8 learners as part of their recruitment.
Quick Updates on Specialty Labs!
Math Lab!
- Math Lab is off to a great start this year! At the end of last year Michael, Heidi and Joe engaged in a book study around the book Building Thinking Classrooms by Peter Liljedahl and are excited to put what they learned into practice.
- This year Joe is leading Algebra 1, Heidi and Joe are leading Geometry, Michael is leading Algebra 2 and students in advanced math topics such as Precalculus and Calculus are working with Heidi.
Research Lab!
VERSO verdict: Mock Trial Challenge
- Grade 9s have begun their research journey by considering: "What does the world need more of?"
- This exploration into our global needs will decipher the topic for our hands-on mock trial where learners will actively argue the different perspectives through their roles on the defense or prosecution team.
- The Diving Question for this project is “How can engaging in a mock trial empower us to seek justice, uncover different perspectives and advocate for matters of personal significance?”
READolution
- Grade 10s are embarking on their thought-provoking journey exploring the Future of Reading.
- They are currently diving into the realm of literature and technology to unravel the mysteries of reading and explore it's evolving landscape.
- This will inform their actions as they work towards this Driving Question “How can a deeper understanding of reading and its future empower us to drive positive transformations in our school environment and beyond?”
Back to the Future
- Grade 11s began to identify problem statements to conduct research on the topic of Healthcare. In this quarter, they are working with the Driving Question “How can a critical analysis of current affairs shape our understanding of the problems that exist today?”
VERTEX Project
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Grade 12s continued their individual research on their topics of interest, ranging from Visual and performing arts, Life Sciences, Social Sciences, and Business.
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In preparation for the “Experts-in-the-Making” series throughout Quarter 1, learners have been using their time to prepare the mini sessions to teach others what they have been researching.
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Similar to Grade 11s, learners are also working in groups to broaden their knowledge and analysis of a secondary topic, which is also on Healthcare.
Power Hour
- Power Hour begins the year with team-based activities, with the aim of building community, teamwork, and communication.
- Thrown in the mix is periods of fitness activities to keep learners physically developing in both strength and mobility.
- This week and last, learners played a series and variation of dodgeball.
Life Skills
- Grade 12 learners explored the range of skills that they will need in postsecondary school. Learners were encouraged to co-create the list of topics that will be covered during this class.
- Top of the list for the learners are Finance skills, Personal Safety, Housekeeping skills, Cooking skills, Understanding basic laws and rights, and Health and Wellness.
- Each week learners will be introduced to a skill and have the opportunity to have hands-on experience where applicable.
1. Fab Lab
- This week's session in Fab Lab had us exploring the questions:
"How do different cultures shape the design choices and patterns we see in fabrics?
What cultural symbols and motifs often find their way into these designs?"
- Our focus was on understanding the depth of culture and how it impacts the world of fabrics.
- During the week, we dove into the concept of culture and each student had the chance to explore their own cultural background.
- This involved researching the origins, significant symbols, artifacts, and important events associated with them.
- To make the world of textile design come alive, we had the privilege of hosting Kamonnart Ongwandee, a talented fashion and textile designer from Thailand.
- She's known for her work in promoting ethical and sustainable materials in fashion, while also raising awareness about the environmental impact of the industry.
- Our session took a hands-on turn as students crafted mood boards that reflected the richness of their cultures.
- Additionally, they got an inside look into the textile design process, various techniques and methods used to create different types of fabrics.
- Exciting news: Kamonnart Ongwandee will be joining us again next week for our 'Beyond the Walls' trip.
- We're going to visit local fabric factories and shops to get a real-world understanding of how textiles are made.
2. F.E.A.R.
(Functional Emotional Animated Robotics)
- With the intention of building a ‘functional, emotional, and automated robot,' learners began their building journey by observing character designs and how emotions can be expressed through facial features and/or character anatomy.
- Learners proceeded to identify three characters they would be interested in building, sharing with one another the feature which they will automate to express their intended emotions for feedback and review.
- As the week progressed, learners gathered knowledge of pivots, linkages, cranks, and power and applied them to a series of build challenges such as a pushing device and robotic eye.
- They completed the week with a visit to King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) Engineering Department Open House to see some inspiration around robotics and the various forms of engineering.
3. Grade 9 MiniLab
- New Upper Loop learners are being introduced to the workflow and process used in Upper Loop with two 4-week labs.
- These labs will ensure new Upper Loop learners get to experience how to read and understand the Future Ready Skills (FRS), various methods to gather and display evidence of their work, the HeadRush software system used to submit tasks and receive feedback, and how Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is delivered in the Upper Loop.
- The first lab is challenging learners to develop, design and construct a bridge out of natural materials.
- In week one toothpicks are the base material, in week two will be chopsticks with the final bridge being made of bamboo.
- Learning how to Organize Time to Meet Needs and Gather Relevant Data to Inform Thinking is the focus of this first MiniLab.
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