Week 27 (2017) – Growth Mindset: Revisiting the Fundamentals

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“Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.’ -Henry Ford
This week, our heroes began snapping photos of failures and successes they experienced. There were several times during Project Time that science experiments did not go as expected, or rockets failed to launch properly. However, our heroes kept trying until they understood how to create the outcomes they wanted. We are now creating a failure/success wall in Journey Academy to showcase the Growth Mindset that our heroes are continuing to cultivate!
Apart from experimenting and launching rockets this week, our heroes continued striving towards their session goals and building their community up with it’s newest members.
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We also spent some time revisiting the “WHY” behind Journey Academy. As our heroes are given more freedom, they need to be reminded of the purpose behind the processes that are in place, and how they add value to the studio. This week, our heroes specifically looked at what it takes to be an “independent learner”, and put their thoughts together to decide how to make the studio an even better place to learn.
Some other highlights this week included:
  • Our heroes made paper mache globes to learn more about the Earth and its makeup.
  • We had a visiting hero join us at Journey Academy on Thursday. We are hoping he can join us next year!
  • During Art this week, our heroes began designing creative T-shirts that we will have screen printed.
Interesting discussion topics this week included:
  • Would you want to go to Mars if the United States allowed people to travel there? What if the world was being overpopulated? Would you invest your money into space exploration to make traveling to Mars possible?
  • Have you ever been told you were “too young”? Did it stop you from challenging yourself? Do you know anyone who has done something unexpected (like Sally Ride being the first woman to travel to space)?
  • What is the role of a “Guide”? If you were going on a vacation to Italy and had never been there before, would you rather go alone or take a guide?
  • What made you want to come to Journey Academy this year? What did Journey Academy offer to you? What stops you from experiencing those freedoms?
  • Which science experiments have you completed this week that BEST showed Newton’s 3rd law of energy?
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Week 26 (2017) – Rocket Science Quest

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Ready, Set…BLAST OFF!
This week, we blasted into our newest quest: “The Rocket Science Quest”. To begin, our heroes studied scriptures on creation and were posed with the question: How big is God? Our heroes then had the opportunity to turn the studio into the Milky Way galaxy!
Over the next 6 1/2 weeks, our heroes will be learning physics principles that govern the universe. With a team of their own rocket engineers, they will then build 4 different types of rockets which can be entered into the Rocket Olympics at our exhibition.  The events that take place will include a competition for the rocket that has the longest time in the air, launches the farthest distance, and the one that has the best accuracy (shooting a target).
In addition to beginning this quest, our heroes were eager to welcome two new Heroes to the studio this week! They have been a wonderful addition to our team, and everyone is so pleased they can be a part of our community!
Some highlights this week also included:
  • Our heroes began writing biographies which they will add to our studio library.
  • We began studying geography as a part of civilization this week! This was a fun endeavor!
  • The heroes truly enjoyed our Field Trip to the Roger B. Chaffee planetarium this week!
Interesting discussion topics this week included:
  • What qualities make a hero? What is the difference between a person that is a hero, and someone who is not?
  • What is an experience that you’ve had this week in your challenge zone? Your comfort zone? Is it more fun to be in your challenge zone or your comfort zone? Why?
  • Which of the experiments did you complete this week that best showed Newton’s first law of motion (An object at rest stays at rest)?
  • Would you rather read about a person’s failures or their successes? Why? Which part of the hero’s journey are you most interested in learning about for the person you are writing a biography about?

Have a wonderful weekend! ?☺

Week 25 (2017) – Heroes of the Faith Quest Wrap-up

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Today was a day of reflection and celebration at Journey Academy!
Our heroes agreed that yesterday’s Exhibition has been their favorite yet! ? While some of them said they felt rushed to prepare the week leading up to it, others commentated that they had more than enough time to prepare. Those who agreed they had felt rushed recognized that they can use their time more wisely next session by staying focused during project time, turning things in by the milestone dates for the quest, and holding each other accountable when things start to get off-task. All of the heroes agreed that they would like to run next session’s Exhibition, as it gave them a greater sense of ownership this session.
 To end the day, our heroes came up with a fun challenge for everyone to try over break. To encourage curiosity, our heroes are going to come up with a question they want to explore (it can be related to an experiment they want to try, finding which April Fool’s tricks will work on various people, etc..). After they explore their curiosity, they will share what they learn at our opening launch after break!
Hope you have a wonderful Spring Break! See you back soon!???

Questions this week included:

1. How do you know what a challenging goal is?
2. How do you decide what to work on first when you are preparing for the Exhibition?
3. Danny set 3 session goals: (1)To complete 70% of his grade level on Khan Academy, (2)To have read a total of 4 books, and (3)To have completed a total of 60 skills on No Red Ink. It is the LAST week before the session ends, and Danny has not met any of his goals. He has only completed 50% of his grade level on Khan Academy, read a total of 3 books, and completed 40 skills on No Red Ink. What should Danny work on first and why?
  • Danny’s personality type is a Golden Retriever and his work style aligns with The East. How can Danny’s studio mates use this information to help him reach his goals?
  • Danny has some negative self-talk. What can he tell himself to encourage a growth mindset?
4. What is the most important to you: Preparing for the Exhibition OR meeting your session goals? If you had to choose between meeting your session goals but letting down your audience at the Exhibition, or letting yourself down to please your audience, what would you choose?
5. How did you feel the Exhibition went? Did you feel more prepared for this Exhibition than the last?
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