Session 5, Week 5
Sitting with a group of Fire Studio Heroes the day before Exhibition, in the middle of the final push to finish coding, stories, characters, and badge requirements, you could almost hear the hum in the air. One Hero paused and said his legs felt strange — like he needed to focus, but couldn’t sit still. His teeth were nearly chattering from the energy building inside. Without missing a beat, another Hero suggested, “Let’s do jumping jacks,” and just like that — 100 jumping jacks later — they were back, smiling and ready to dive in again.
That’s Exhibition Week. The energy shows up in different ways for different Heroes. For some, it’s a sudden surge of focus after weeks of slower pacing — and it’s amazing to see what can be accomplished in that final stretch when they lock in with a partner and go for it. For others, it’s the added charge of leadership — balancing team responsibilities while still working to meet personal goals.
Exhibition Week always brings it — that unmistakable buzz you can feel the moment you walk into the studio. Studios are alive with movement, ideas, deadlines, teamwork… and a whole lot of energy that almost feels electric!
In the Spark Studio
You can feel the energy of spring! A spring highlight this week was a CHOICE parent bringing their young chicks in for a visit. Heroes flocked around to pet and hold them.
Every Thursday we have a Town Hall. Spark heroes bring up concerns to their fellow travelers and brainstorm solutions together. Sometimes the concerns are simple, sometimes more complex. This week one hero brought up the concern that people were wearing their muddy shoes in the studio. Heroes dissected the situation to understand what the underlying problem was and then brainstormed solutions. After an extensive discussion the heroes voted on a solution. They then spent the day holding each other accountable for the decision they voted on. This kind of awareness and discussion followed by action doesn’t happen the first week of school. It’s beautiful to watch the progression.
During CHOICE work cycle this week Spark heroes learned about decomposition and different decomposers like worms, bugs, and fungi. They explored how mushrooms are connected underground. That day’s challenge was to connect something to another thing; it pushed many heroes to think differently. It was great seeing the moment they “got it”!
Heroes met Edvard Munch and discussed Expressionism while observing his most famous piece, “The Scream”. Several heroes were excited to share they had seen the piece before! Heroes were then invited to show an emotion using air dry clay. Many chose to show ‘surprised’ or ‘happy’, one hero made ‘happy crying’.
Heroes worked hard trying to finish their last week of challenging goals before break.
Exhibition preparation and practice is always exciting!
In the Fire Studio
The week of Exhibition is always a favorite time to watch the studio buzz as a whole. Everywhere you turn, you hear, “Can I help with anything?” — Heroes stepping in, supporting, and lifting each other up without being asked.
Heroes even practiced cheering each other on and giving support this week: One hero stood on a stool and held stuffies out with each arm for five minutes, each time his arms started to drop the heroes cheered him on!
One Fire Studio moment that captured it all: a hero with just 20 minutes left in the day, staring at a long list of unfinished tasks. The stress was visible — shoulders tight, energy overloaded. But instead of shutting down, he chose to pause, looked again, and broke the list into TWO doable next steps. You could almost see the shift — from overwhelmed to focused as that excess charge released with an exhale. He settled and got to work.
Even during Creator time, that same energy carries through, with Heroes asking for just a few more minutes to finish an art piece, so close to bringing their vision to life.
Finishing up session goals and playing their last games of chess brings its own kind of energy.
While the energy leading up to Exhibition is certainly electric, that energy is also sprinkled with quiet moments of reflection in the final week of the session. Heroes hold up a mirror to the previous 5 weeks and notice the details: How did you and your Running Partner help each other along the journey this session? What was helpful, and what do you wish you or your Running Partner did more excellently? How did your Squad Leader and Squad Members help you use your freedom to work hard and grow? What are you proud of about your contribution to the Exhibition? Your Core Skills goals? What was especially enjoyable or fun about the session? Young heroes learn how to reflect–an advanced developmental skill–with regular practice and support along the way.
The energy of the actual Exhibition is alive as heroes get to celebrate all their hard work with their parents and grandparents!
And then, just as quickly as the energy builds, there’s a shift. After Exhibition, Creative Writing wrapped up with a Tea Party where Heroes shared the stories they’ve been working on all session. They were given a choice — a game or the Tea Party — and, surprisingly, they voted for the Tea Party. A quiet, meaningful moment to sit, listen, and celebrate each other’s words. Maybe exactly what was needed after such a high-energy week.
In the DELTA Studio
You could feel the roller coaster ride of energy this week. Monday and Tuesday were focused days putting in a lot of effort to get everything ready for the Exhibition.
The heroes were excited to show off their Quest projects from this session and the feedback from parents was that the heroes’ passion really showed!
On Wednesday we took a field trip to Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Chocolate factory. It was fun and interesting to hear the way hard work and excellence have shaped that company… the chocolate tasted pretty good too (except that one piece which had zero sugar added!
After indulging in the chocolate, we went to the new park in Farmington to do our Misogi challenge and to enjoy some sunshine and play. The heroes pushed themselves VERY hard for 30 minutes – many of us were sore the next day – and then we stayed and played! Well earned relxation!
Thursday was a day of reflection and closure. It’s an interesting energy. Heroes are tired and yet are asked to push themselves in a different way. Despite their resistance, most heroes were still writing when the reflection time was over. The hope is that they are building a skill of self reflection that will bless their lives for years to come.
And along with everything else going on this week we had memorable and learning experiences at the Constitution Bee! What a week!
Exhibition Week is electric — full of last-minute problem solving, creativity, leadership, pride, chaos and a lot of fun! Somehow, in the middle of all that movement, the Heroes find their rhythm, support each other, and bring everything they’ve been building to life. The clean up and reflection after Exhibition requires its own kind of energy. That’s the beauty of it all. The surge, the teamwork, the push to the finish… and then the calm. Welcome break week!