Prediction & Team Building 

Session 1

This quest is meant to help:

• Equip Heroes with tools and confidence that will help them throughout the year and on their Hero’s Journey

• Equip Heroes with a deeper understanding of self and others

• Instill a deeper understanding of working on a team and the the value of collaboration

• Inspire an appreciation for process and intentionality

• Inspire a deep curiosity of the Hero’s Journey through heroes’ stories

• Create laws and guidelines to govern their studio by

Music Journey

Session 2-a

On this quest, Heroes will unlock their inner musicians as they discover beats and rhythm, the piano, and the ukulele. At the end of this journey Heroes will create their own solo master piece or join as a band to showcase their new discovered skills. 

Colonial Acton

Session 2-b

Heroes imagine that Acton Academy is a British colony. They must pay taxes to King George and are subject to royal proclamations and taxes. To end Colonial Acton, Heroes must draft a Declaration of Independence.

Not to include the preschool/kindergarten studio.

Putting themselves in the shoes of frustrated British colonists being ruled by King George gives Heroes an opportunity to:

• Feel the resentment and frustration of having to obey a distant and seemingly unfair ruler who knows little about their way of life;

• Understand the need to compromise and join together as one in order to have any hope for winning a war against a larger power; and 

• Weigh the possible outcomes of two choices and make a decision with real-life consequences.

The Human Body

Session 3

Take a trip through the human body and discover the wonders of the following systems:
Cardiovascular
Digestion 
Endocrine
Immune
Nervous
Respiratory 

Life in Athens

Session 4

In this quest, students become heroes living in Ancient Greece. Using their imaginations, they enter into life in Athens and explore the city by completing challenges in different areas.
 

The goals of this quest: 

• To ignite a curiosity about the world and civilizations that came before us

• To inspire real debate about philosophical concepts

• To explore the roots of Western civilization

• To find joy in combining artistic creativity with core skills

Geography & Culture

Session 5

This quest is meant to expose Heroes to geography and diverse cultures, helping them become more informed citizens of the world.
They will create a National Geographic-type magazine about locations and cultures they explore. 

Architecture

Session 6

In this quest, Heroes play the role of architects designing ideal school buildings. Challenges take Heroes through the process of: research, design (drafting/sketching), and construction (model building). Heroes will learn about architecture as a calling, scaling and applied mathematics, precision and attention to detail, and working within creative constraints. 

Animal Keeper

Session 7

This quest places Heroes in the shoes of an animal keeper. During the quest, Heroes will assess the enrichment needs of animals in a local shelter. After creating an accepted proposal, Heroes will build enrichment activities for the animals. They will also create “information” cards for visitors or families who might be adopting the animals.

Game Design

Session 8

Heroes will have the opportunity to learn about game design, experimental vs. theoretical probability, calculating probability, elements of game design, attention to detail, and working with customer feedback.
 

The goals of this quest include:

• Introducing the Heroes to game design as a calling and the heroes who chose it

• Inspiring a love of design and creation

• Inspiring a curiosity about probability in the real world

• Instilling a deeper understanding of the iteration process and the importance of taking a deliberate path towards excellence

Survivor

Session 9

Heroes will explore the basic needs of human survival, water cycle, fire, navigation, knot-tying, first aid and plant identification. They'll explore and understand the differences between a “want” and a “need” and put themselves into new, challenging situations that push them to the edge of their challenge zones. In the exploration of self identity and self-knowledge as a basic human need, Heroes will learn their Love Language, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the traits they love most about themselves.

Team Building & Communication

Session 1

Heroes become acquainted with each other, learning each other's strengths; as well as how to communicate and work together to build a strong community. They begin to create laws and guidelines that govern their studios. 

Experiencing History:

US Citizenship

Session 2

In this quest, Heroes immerse themselves in the history of immigration in the United States and experience what it’s like to be someone seeking to become a naturalized citizen. Through a series of challenges, they assume the role of immigrant and prepare for a naturalization test as well as learn about America's government and laws.

Laws of Physics: Newton’s Toy Workshop

Session 3

On this quest, Eagles use physics to become toy designers. They take on the title of “scientist” as they explore concepts in physics such as gravity, thrust, momentum, displacement, elasticity, and mechanical advantage. As toy designers, they take on the different challenges each week that provide a tactile understanding of physics. 

Jacques Cousteau Marine Science

Session 4

Eagles take on the title of NASA Earth Explorer as they examine the following questions: What is life like in the ocean and how is it interconnected? Is it more important to explore or to invent? What problems are facing our oceans, and what are the possible solutions? As scientists, they learn to observe with intentionality and embrace their curiosity. Using their imaginations, they are challenged to bring the marine ecosystems into their studio, curating an environment of wonder about the natural world.

STEM

Session 5

On this quest, Eagles embark on a journey to learn the basics of coding, a journey that culminates in a real-life exploration of the world of robotics.

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Goals of this quest include:
 

• Gaining a basic understanding of programming concepts and how they apply to the real world in non-coding scenarios (concepts include algorithms, loops, conditionals, variables, and events)

• Honing and developing problem-solving skills through “debugging”

• Developing an awareness and curiosity about the role technology currently plays and will play in their lives

• Learning about innovators and disruptors throughout history in various technology-related fields.

Chess Quest

Session 6

 Heroes get to experience the benefits of playing chess firsthand and to apply those skills to other parts of their lives as well. The benefits of regularly playing chess are plentiful and include: increase in strategic thinking, creativity, foresight & planning, memory, reading skills, and communication.

Loving Mother Earth

Session 7

Is decreased self-sufficiency a good or bad sign for humanity?

In this quest, Heroes become gardeners, and they take on the title of “scientist” as they explore plant science, including cellular biology, photosynthesis, decomposition, capillary action, germination, and pollination. As gardeners, they take on the responsibilities of planning, building, and raising a garden, then observing it and maintaining it with diligence.

Entrepreneurialism

Session 8

Heroes will actually start a business (create, market and sell a product), run a checkbook and create financial statements (P&L and balance sheet).