A return to the quest and a renewed energy in daily work (Mar 23-27)

Highlights: How did we turn learning upside down?

• Learners tested their “How-to Manuals” through real-world use, gathering feedback from fellow travellers and revising their work as their ideas came to life.

• Several learners earned new badges, building momentum around goal-setting, progress, and celebration in the studio.

• During their final day at Fulton’s, learners independently planned their time, collaborated on shared tasks, and navigated team decisions and said goodbye to our friends at Fulton's.

• Socratic discussions explored leadership through the metaphor of sheepdogs and examined the tension between keeping promises and following one’s path.

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Several learners earned new badges in their Core Skills this week.

The energy in the studio reflected a growing momentum—learners setting goals, working toward them, and celebrating progress as milestones were reached.

Learners began testing the “How-to Manuals” they are writing for Communications, with fellow travellers trying them out and offering feedback. Manuals evolved through real-world testing, leading to meaningful revisions (and plenty of slime-making along the way). High engagement and buy-in as learners saw their instructions come to life through action.

Hands-on, project-based Quests to master the tools and skills needed to solve problems in the real world

Back in the studio, learners resumed their work on the Cartography Quest.

• Many are now finding coordinates on a map with increasing ease

• Learners are making decisions about which elements of the quest they want to pursue and what is realistic within the remaining time this session

• Exhibition planning began, with learners intentionally incorporating reflections from the previous exhibition into their design choices

The week also included a final day at Fulton’s. Learners put into practice the full range of skills they have been developing:

• Planning their day and creating schedules for work and play

• Collaborating to complete shared tasks such as labelling, staining, and assembling flip-up boards

• Electing leaders and dividing responsibilities based on strengths and interests

• Navigating differing opinions on how to approach challenges

• Managing time and choosing when to take breaks

Deep Socratic discussions about heroes, history, and self-governance to hone critical thinking skills and the ability to powerfully think, write, and speak

Learners began the week by watching a video of sheepdogs at work, using it as a metaphor to explore different roles within a community.

The discussion centered around the risks and rewards of being a sheepdog, a wolf, or a sheep—and what it means to take on responsibility as a leader in the studio.

Later in the week, learners explored a question around promises:

Given a set of facts, would you keep a promise even if it no longer felt like the right commitment?

• Half the studio argued for keeping the promise as a matter of principle, drawing on past experiences where doing so led to meaningful outcomes

• The other half argued for following their interests and choosing to step away from commitments that no longer aligned

Memorable quotes from learners this week: evidence of the model in action

• “I better start doing stuff. I can't just read all day.”

• “Good job, [learner’s name]! You did it!”

• “I want to set a tough goal today.”