A Collage of Engagment & Activity

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Jocelyn Bystrom

2nd Year Challenge Students enjoy the opportunity to master a skill, create a new product, accomplish a task or innovate!

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Paradox Challenges tested our Brain Power

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Jocelyn Bystrom

 Does your brain explode just thinking about this image?

Today 2nd year students challenged themselves to consider a variety of Paradoxes; which were retrieved from Byrdseed.com which is an excellent website and well worth your time to check out! 

http://www.byrdseed.com/three-paradoxes/ utm_source=043012&utm_medium=email

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FedEx Day Challenge 2012

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Jocelyn Bystrom

 
Our FedEx Challenge was inspired after reading Daniel Pink’s book Drive, published in 2009.  Students were given 24 hours including one full school day to demonstrate autonomy, mastery and purpose  while solving a problem, learning a new skill or by creating a new innovative product. 

Today as part of our FedEx Day celebration students brainstormed qualities they valued in their products and projects.  In teams students then created trophies to represent each of these categories as part of our morning challenge.

 Later in the day after students presentated their projects students voted for which category best represented each student’s efforts.  Student winners of our first ever FedEx day at Challenge are listed below!

Best Perseverance:  Myia Dunn for her sewing project and her completion of a decorative fabric bag.

 

 

(photo coming soon) Most Diverse :  Josh Wells for his “Claymation”  digital photography / animation project,

 

Most Creative: Millie Murray  for her story – “Mafia” with its intricately layered plot.

 

 

Best Prepared:  Alex Grant  for her painted pottery project which was so elegantly displayed,

 

 

Most Innovative: Lindsay Gammon  for her innovative patterns for duct tape I-pod & DS covers.
 

 

Most Unique: Nick Sanftleben / Cameron Jaimet   for their screenplay and  interview of Sarah Palin.

 

 

Best Time Management: Molly Brian for her story – “Trimmer’s Orphanage for Young Ladies”

 

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Check out the Photo Collages

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Jocelyn Bystrom

March 21st

We’ve been super busy this past month with designing our 2012 Challenge T-shirts, completing the Take It Apart Challenge and also most recenlty the Rube Goldberg Challenge, which we’re working on this week March 19th-22nd.  Check out individual class pages for a variety of new photo updates.

These are the 2nd year Challenge students t-shirts, which we proudly wear!

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National Science and Art Exhibit 2012

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Jocelyn Bystrom

 What does Science means to you?  Students were asked to represent their answers to this question artistically and to either submit their originals for exhibition at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference or to electronically submit their work for an electronic exhibit.   

 Along with their artwork students were asked to submit a one sentence description, which would articulate their artistic representation.  The original artwork below entitled:  Science My Friend by Neij,  a grade 5 /2nd Year Challenge student is shared here with her consent along with her description. 

“When I was little, I was always told that the sky changes all by itself. But I didn’t believe that. I thought, and to this very day, that someone, something, perhaps a god or a demon, came and painted the sky.”

Science My Friend

 In February 2012, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) will host its annual meeting and for the first time in decades, the meeting will be held here in Canada!  The event will draw thousands of leading scientists, engineers, educators and policy makers, as well as hundreds of science journalists, to Vancouver.

S.D. #71 Challenge students recently entered artwork for this national exhibit.  To view the electronic exhibit you’ll need to check back over the next few weeks when the new 2012 exhibit will  be made public at: http://www.science.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=en&n=274A928E-1 

Congratulations to each Challenge student who took the intiative to participate and complete original artwork for the exhibit.

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3rd Year Students Create Beautiful Christmas Wreaths

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Jocelyn Bystrom

Merry Christmas Challenge Families 2011

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John Abbott visits 2nd Year Challenge Students

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Jocelyn Bystrom

Tuesday, October 25th, 2011

John Abbott, Director of the 21st Century Learning Initiative spent the morning working with 2nd Year Challenge students today!

Mr. Abbott challenged students to think deeply about global issues and to be mindful about what their role in the changes might be. 

It would be interesting tonight to be a fly on the wall and to overhear dinner table conversations across the valley as parents ask:  “So what did you learn in school today?” 

…I can only imagine what they’ll hear tonight after our thought-provoking discussions.

 Mr. John Abbott, an internationally acclaimed educator and visionary, shared his thought-provoking message with us and took the time to really listen to our districts’ talented young minds.  You may want to check out the website, which represents 21st Century Learning initiatives at:  http://www.21learn.org/site/activities/staff/john-abbott/.   

We began the morning as usual with check-in!   Students were challenged to reflect on the question:  What is an experience you’re not likely to forget…and why? Then under Mr. John Abbott’s teaching students transitioned into a meaningful conversation and exchange of ideas.  It was truly impressive to listen to our young people confidently share their passionate responses and reflections.
 
At one point Mr. Abbott challenged students to break into groups and come up with ideas to respond to how they might personally take action to reduce carbon emissions?  It was interesting to be an observer and listener as students excitedly shared opinions ranging from harnessing the force of gravity and solar power to making a more conscientious effort to ride bikes, walk to school and car pool when possible!  Students were surprised to find out that Canada is one of the top three countries world wide that have a huge negative impact on our environment due to  carbon emissions.
 
 
I believe one of the highlights of student participation today were the many seeds planted as well as thought provoking questions which students were challenged to reflect upon now, as they mature, become parents and leaders of their generation.  
 
If there  ever was a time to speak up, take courage and express their thinking today was the day and I believe Mr Abbott was very impressed by the depth and complexity of student reflection!  I was very proud to be an educator today in School District 71!  Our students were amazing ambassadors filled with exciting ideas and fresh enthusiasm to tackle the important big picture questions of the day.
 
Mr. Abbott showed severa videos, which many of our students had taken the time to view last night and once again encouraged students to think ahead as to how they might parent their future children?  Although hard to contemplate when you’re ten; Mr. Abbott reminded them of the significance of parent in those precious first years of life!  It was heart-warming to hear what students valued as they reflected on the influence of their parents as well as the influence of older siblings, who had encouraged their curiosity, taught the to be passionate thinkers and to love learning.  Parents being the most important first teachers, are extremely valued contributors to their child’s future success as well as to their child’s ability to use their intelligence!  Are we nurturing our children to ask questions, reflect and take part in meaningful conversations?  John Abbott reminded students to thank their parents tonight as it was apparent to him that they’d been parented well in ways that have and continue to support nurture of their intelligence!  If the brain is dynamic and similar to a muscle!  Will we use it, strengthen it and assure that we’re engaged in our own learning?
 
 “If humans have such amazing brains why do we get stuck in traffic, not have enough to eat and mess up the planet?  Check out the following short video clips if you’d like to review  any of the video clips students discussed today. http://www.born-to-learn.org/ 
 
We’d love to hear back from parents and students as they reflect together about the events of today!   Please add a comment to share your feedback  with our Challenge community.

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