Discovery Year 7. Session 6. Week 5.
This week was spent solving problems, editing and practicing pitches, and imagining the future.
Inside the Studio
This week in Discovery, learners explored big questions about growth, communication, innovation, and humanity’s future.
After beginning the week with IOWA testing, learners discussed growth mindset through the image of a rubber band: just as rubber bands grow stronger through stretching, people often grow through challenge and perseverance.
In Writers’ Workshop, Discoverers joined a community of editors, where each learner took ownership of a specific editing role. Next week, Discoverers will pitch their field trips and vote as a community on the winning idea.
The community puzzle piece saw some incredible action this week as Explorers and Discoverers came together to workshop the layout in preparation for Exhibition next week.
Quest work focused on electricity, engineering, and heroes who use curiosity and persistence to solve real-world problems. On Friday, learners tackled a challenging future-focused discussion about energy production, artificial intelligence, and space-based solar power. They debated whether humanity should focus entirely on fixing problems on Earth or begin resourcing and developing off-planet energy solutions.
From the Discoverers
Discoverers shared a state of their studio during a closing group this week. Here’s a summary of what they see:
-Hero Bucks: As the studio focuses on the Hero Buck system, they are rapidly testing and iterating on new practices and approaches. Learners said:
“Our studio has been doing really good for hero bucks. I think we use them responsibly.”
A learner mentioned how previously she was having to remind people constantly of the process. “Now, I’ve only had to remind like one person a week.”
-Focus and Flow: Discoverers shared observations about how they have been finding flow throughout their day.
“A lot of people have been finding flow in work cycle. Last year during Work Cycle, it was like Mark Rober combined with Mr. Beast. Now it's Mr. Calm combined with Mr. Flow.”
“A lot of people have been working really hard in Quest, and some people started their experiments today.”
To show how hard people have been working, one learner pointed out that recently, “four people have gotten to the top of Discovery Mountain.”
-The ever-important counter-point: One Discoverer shared his opinion about work and play in the studio.
“We need more play. Play improves our brains by a lot.”
IOWA Testing was this week, and it plays many important roles. One of which is a reminder of how grateful guides and learners are for Ascent and the educational model we get to play a part in.