Discovery Year 7. Session 7. Week 5.
Discoverers continued to make heroic moves this week, progressing on their goals as the year comes to a close.
Growing Curiosity
In this week’s Explore-guided mini-quest, Discoverers used Scratch to block code games. Challenged to create an excellent final product, the Discoverers considered strategy, player motivation, and visuals as they designed their games. Collaboration was high, as fellow travelers game tested, gave feedback, and supported each other with various approaches to the coding.
Discussing Independence Day
As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Discoverers spent the week exploring an idea that reaches beyond a single moment in history: Is a declaration enough, or is it the work that follows that gives a declaration its meaning? Through a historical timeline stretching from the events leading up to the Declaration through the British surrender at Yorktown and beyond, learners considered the difference between making a bold commitment and living it out. Drawing on their own "King George" colonial simulation from earlier this year, they reflected on whether freedom was won by a declaration alone or by the perseverance, sacrifice, and daily actions that came before and after it.
The week concluded by looking beyond 1776. After reading What Can a Citizen Do? by Dave Eggers, learners traced the many moments throughout American history when citizens continued expanding the nation's promises—from ending slavery and securing voting rights to advancing civil rights and other freedoms. They discussed the responsibility each generation inherits: not simply to celebrate the Declaration, but to contribute to the unfinished work it began. As families celebrate Independence Day this weekend, Discoverers are encouraged to reflect on a simple but challenging question: What can one citizen do to help write the next chapter of America's story?
It’s hard to believe we’re one week away from the end of Year 7! We look forward to celebrating the Ascent Heroes.