Session 6, Week 1

As heroes entered the building for the start of Session 6 this week, they hit the ground running. Energy was high, focus was sharp, and the studios were buzzing with the kind of excitement that only comes with a fresh start. Between the launch of ambitious new Quests, crate stacking and a school-wide Elemental Treasure Hunt, it was a fun, high-velocity start to the session.

The hunt was themed after the four elements: Earth, Water, Fire, and Air, requiring heroes to search every corner of the campus. Water clues were discovered near sinks and pipes, while fire clues were tucked away near hydrants and extinguishers. The earth clues even required some real digging! Once the heroes gathered all four elemental pieces, they brought them together at a special prop table to unlock the treasure hidden inside. That collective drive to solve the puzzle carried through every studio as we dove into our new adventures.

In the Spark Studio

The Sparks returned from break with a seeming boost of excitement for learning. They seemed extra curious as they investigated works throughout the studio and equally satisfied as they gained new knowledge. We’ve seen many heroes captivated by telling time on digital and analog clocks, while others have been deep in the library exploring new topics.

This session, our theme is Physics. The method of scientific discovery is create, test, fail, and repeat. The Sparks are just like these scientists. They embrace that cycle over and over again—and they have fun doing it! This week, heroes discussed and explored the mechanics of how to make items move, specifically focusing on pushing and pulling. It was a blast watching them experiment with all the available materials to find different ways to create motion.

We also welcomed some new feathery visitors who added a layer of joy to our investigations for the day. (They were shared with the Fire Studio too!)

To finish out the week, heroes designed their own versions of the Spark Studio yearbook cover. They practiced their voting skills by walking down the line of designs and casting ballots for their two favorites, with the final design reveal coming Monday.

In the Fire Studio

Every session begins with new explore tables. This session, several heroes were really excited to explore atoms at the Happy Atoms explore table. At times, there was a handful of heroes working together and watching each other create an atom. While the engagement was high, it was also a big distraction to other heroes. During Town Hall, the heroes discussed closing the explore tables during Silent Core Skills. The motion did not pass. The heroes voted that they valued their freedom to work on their goals whenever they wanted more than eliminating a distraction. Instead, they chose to have a sign up sheet to take turns. Sometimes, the treasure is measured through listening to each other’s point of view, and working together to create a solution to a problem.

The BizTown Quest is also officially underway! From Monday to Wednesday this session, the heroes will dig into the foundations of money and responsibility – earning, saving, banking, running businesses, and even writing and depositing checks.

Learning is happening through the modules that are provided, through games,

and through competitions. For example, we discussed that in life we get to choose our jobs – some people find it rewarding to do work with their muscles and some find it rewarding to do work with their brain. The studio was then split into two teams. To win, each person on their team had to complete work before everyone on the other team finished. Heroes had the option to solve a puzzle, or complete a weight lifting routine. 

Then came Thursday — when it all became real.

Heroes gathered in their “families” (squads) to count their earnings and make decisions together. How should they spend their money to grow their business? Do they save? Spend? Risk it? Resist the temptation to use it all at once? These conversations were full of thoughtful debate, planning, and sometimes tough choices.

Beyond BizTown, creativity and collaboration continued to grow. In Performance, Heroes partnered up to begin creating shadow box stories to share at the end of the session. In Creator, they explored new techniques with colored pencil, NU pastels, and macramé friendship bracelets — with many choosing to take on the extra challenge of learning the more complex macramé knots. Whether working with their brains or their hands, the Fire Studio is fully invested in the work.

In The DELTA Studio

They launched the week with a fun activity illustrating the power of choosing your destination and accepting the path that leads to it. Heroes wrote “destinations” they want to reach by the end of Session 6 and the paths they need to follow that lead to their chosen destinations.

Energy was high in a Socratic discussion debating financial choices while focusing on public speaking skills. Not saying “like” or “um” is our hardest challenge!

With the gala quickly approaching, Performance time practice is increasing in focus and confidence. One hero remarked that while he doesn’t consider himself musical, he is starting to be able to play their ukulele song… and it was actually fun!

Quests projects are already shaping up this session, whether they be carry-overs from last session or new projects entirely.

And alongside all this fun, heroes were still able to buckle down and focus during their Core Skills times and maintain systems like Studio Maintenance.

Throughout the week, the physics of balance met the power of human connection during crate stacking. It was a beautiful sight to see the DELTA heroes stepping in to mentor the Spark and Fire learners, offering a steady hand and a boost of confidence as the younger heroes reached for new heights.

This spirit of mentorship is likely the true engine behind all of our momentum. We are moving upward and forward because we are moving together!