Discovery Year 7. Session 6. Week 6.
Prepping, pitching, and resetting were the focus in the Discovery Studio this week.
Exhibition
This week in Discovery, the studio buzzed (literally and metaphorically) with anticipation as learners prepared for Exhibition — a celebration of curiosity, craftsmanship, and the journey through our Edison’s Lab quest. Families who joined us experienced far more than finished projects; they stepped into a living laboratory of experimentation, persistence, and systems thinking.
Throughout the session, learners explored the science of electricity through hands-on engineering challenges inspired by the innovation culture of Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park lab. Exhibition culminated in a live Electrify Ascent Tournament where Quest Teams focused hard on three challenges, offering visitors a look into what Quest time has looked like this session, including the focus, innovation, and stick-to-itiveness the learners have practiced all session.
Looking Forward
Discoverers had an especially meaningful discussion this week centered around the proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir project in Texas. Learners wrestled with difficult tradeoffs involving water access, environmental impact, economic growth, land rights, and long-term sustainability. Rather than searching for “correct” answers, they practiced listening deeply, defending claims with evidence, and considering perspectives different from their own.
As a studio, we also reflected on the quality of our discussions and identified a new bonus Rule of Engagement for Session 7: Build on each other’s points. Learners noticed that the strongest conversations happened when participants didn’t simply wait for their turn to speak, but instead actively connected ideas, extended reasoning, and helped move the group’s thinking forward together. Discoverers are energized to strengthen this skill next session as they grow not only as independent thinkers, but as collaborators in discussions.
Thank you for supporting your learners through another session of hard work, challenge, and discovery. Exhibition was a reminder that the true product of the studio is not simply what learners make — it is who they are becoming.