Welcome to a new school year full of exciting opportunities and challenges!   The team is thrilled to see our Upper Loopers returning after a well deserved summer break, and delighted to meet our new high school learners that have joined us this year!

Welcome to a new school year full of exciting opportunities and challenges!   The team is thrilled to see our Upper Loopers returning after a well deserved summer break and delighted to meet our new high school learners that have joined us this year!

You should have already received a welcome email recently from your learner's Advisor.   This Learning Designer is your family's advocate and a main source of personalized academic and pastoral support, so please reach out to them if you have any questions about things such as Beyond the Walls trips, understanding Headrush and learner performance, and anything else having to do with your learner's success.

We are pleased to announce that our Chinese and Spanish Language Labs will be ready to begin next week.   We thank you for your patience and understanding as we sorted out various logistical details to coordinate our Language Labs.  

Our 2 Learning Labs in Quarter 1 are both biology heavy. 

• One lab is called Biomimicry, and its Driving Question is "How can we use inspiration from nature to solve a human design problem?"   
• Our second lab is centered around genetics and is called Genetic Engineering, and its Driving Question is "How can we engage the masses on the ways genetic engineering has enhanced and disrupted humanity?"

I am pleased to share a few words and images directly from the team regarding what has been going on lately in the loop!

LeLAB A - Biomimicry, with Joseph, Chrissy, and Michael 

• Learners have made a successful start to their project by defining what biomimicry is and presenting different examples to their peers.
  
  
• They completed a workshop on observational drawing and then practiced these skills on our first Beyond The Walls trip at SeaLife Bangkok.
  
  
• This was one of many trips where learners will observe different biological forms as inspiration for their nature inspired solutions to human design challenges.

LeLAB B - Genetic Engineering, with Gideon, Yi Lin, and Matt

• Our learners started the Learning Lab by examining plant and cheek cells under microscopes. Learners then created physical models to share their understanding of Microbiology with peers.
  
  
• To answer the Lab’s first research question, “How can we use animation to understand cell division better?” the group learned how to create stop motion animations using mobile apps and physical objects. These skills were applied in creating their cell division animation plus the consideration of their target audience.
  
  
• We finished off the week with Khun Thunchanok Yaikhan who is a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Medicine at Mahidol University, Sririraj hospital.
  
  
• She shared her research knowledge and experience working with bacteria and even brought along some (dead) bacteria samples for the learners to observe. Check out our reel for a live-action recap of Week 1! 

Power Hour with Coach Joe & Coach Thomas

• We began the year with Ultimate Frisbee. We used this activity to promote community building and to get to know and work with our fellow learners, as it requires both collaboration and leadership skills.
  
  
• We begin our Power Hour with an explanation of why we stretch (injury prevention) and some basic anatomy and kinesiology lessons. This provides answers to the question of why we often get a deeper stretch on the second and third attempt.
  
  
• After a few weeks of acclimating to the program, more personalized fitness options will be offered for those learners who are ready to take their fitness to the next level!  

Beyond the Walls Training Mission: Chinatown

• For our first Beyond the walls trip of the year, learners explored the culturally rich area of Bangkok’s Chinatown.
  
  
• In teams, they took part in challenges to help develop a sense of community while developing awareness of the norms and protocols of an Upper Loop Beyond the Walls trip.
   
• The experience has helped us to establish a culture of independence, and practice essential life skills such as navigation, budgeting, collaboration, and time management.

By Jarret Voytilla