Session 5 Signature Learning Experiences
elementary Quest
The World According to Kids
What do our learners want adults to know about being a kid? In this Quest, our learners will bring this to the front and center by exploring questions including “What is it like to be a kid in different parts of the world? What would happen in a world without adults?” For parts of the Session, we will team up with the High School learners who will provide mentorship, research support, and collaborative feedback. Learners will have the opportunity to research organizations and initiatives led by kids both internationally and in their area. They will take on the role as a consultant for one of these groups or develop an initiative for kids of their own.
elementary story arts
Scripted
This learning experience includes a learner-facing mini-series of videos followed by a live Q&A featuring Jeffrey Stepakoff, producer, screenwriter, novelist, founder of Georgia Film Academy, and President of Content Talent South. Stepakoff was the Co-Executive Producer of Chasing Life for ABC Family, Wild Card for Lifetime, and Dawson’s Creek for the WB and has served as a Writer-Producer and/or Writer on Eight Primetime or First-Run Cable Staffs, including the Emmy-Winning The Wonder Years. He has written for two hit Disney films and is ready to share his knowledge of writers' rooms with our learners!
elementary civilization
Global Comparisons
ES will zoom out from specific regions and civilizations within our world and take a global view to better understand the unifying elements that describe the history and humankind. They will compare a variety of past and present societies through lenses such as finance, government, art, music, food, writings, architecture, agriculture, communication, and vocations. Through this, the elementary learners will have a strong framework for describing social groups for future Civilization badges and their own lives.
middle school quest
Art & Creativity
In this Quest we will explore how art impacts the world and how the world impacts art. We'll identify what issues the art world is currently facing and what solutions could be implemented. We'll view various artwork through different lenses and examine it through different perspectives. Learners will engage with a large variety of art in different forms, and see how their own thinking and personal psychology impacts their creativity and relationship with art. They will have the opportunity to take virtual field trip tours of art galleries and hear from expert docents in a virtual exhibit with the organization Embracing Our Differences. Learners will conclude the Quest by creating an Exhibition project related to art and creativity.
middle school story arts
Creative Writing
Learners will go through the entire writing process from brainstorming to publishing as they write their very own fictional short story. Expert writer, editor, and publisher A.E. Williams will join us at crucial points throughout the session to provide guidance and feedback to learners about writing and editing, and share with them what publishers look for. Their short stories will be published in a digital collection and shared with FSO families to enjoy!
middle school civilization
European Imperialism
We will begin by exploring The Reformation and the impact those events had on Germany and other countries in Europe. Next, we'll take a look at how and why Europeans started exploring the world by sea and which countries were the major players in exploration and colonization of the Americas, Africa, & Asia. Learners will examine the impacts of European exploration and colonization on native groups and consider how imperialism completely changed regions' languages, culture, and ways of life.
high school quest
Student & Youth Rights
The Quest will cover a wide range of topics related to youth rights, starting with discussions of issues such as adultism, child poverty, and universal youth rights. Learners will develop their own individual and shared understandings and opinions related to youth rights, and they will shape the discussions in the studio from a youth perspective. Topics covered will include civic engagement, youth employment, education, foster care, voluntourism, expression and identity, violence, youth leadership, and more. Learners will have the opportunity to research youth services & youth-led organizations in their area, and work to support their missions in a learner-designed exhibition project of their choice.
high school story arts
Essay Writing
Learners will craft the art of essay writing. This badge will prepare learners for high school and college-level writing, with a focus on expository and persuasive essay writing. Learner challenges will cover how to map out an essay, crafting a thesis statement, researching and citing evidence, writing a first draft, and how to edit and revise an essay. By the end of the session, learners will have created and revised an essay of their choice (expository or persuasive) to save for their portfolio of work.
high school civilization
What is Culture?
The Studio will cover a variety of topics related to culture, answering such questions as “What is culture?”, “What does it mean to be a part of a culture?”, and “What do various cultures have in common, and what are their differences?” Through a series of lessons on art, music, food, language, and family systems, learners will produce work in a variety of mediums for their challenges, ranging from presentations, to writing, to mixed-media arts, that highlight the key components of culture.