Middle School Students at Kent School Begin Explorations

Explorations, a mini-term of elective subjects, began at Kent School on Wednesday, October 29. The Explorations classes meet once a week and run for seven weeks. Students select from a variety of offerings. This term course selections are: Photography, Gourd Bird House making, Rube Goldberg Contraption Contest, Silent Film Making, Forensic Science, Mural Design and Jewelry Making.

Sarah Caron, Philip Ashley and Corey Robinson work collaboratively on the mural.

Photography class is led by sixth grade teacher Michelle Cerino. In the class, students will explore taking pictures and using iPhoto. They will have different topics each week as the focus of their pictures. Students will use Kent School’s picturesque setting along the banks of the Chester River, as well as other nearby locations. Photos may be used in Kent School’s website, as decorative art around campus and in school publications.

Art teacher, Theresa Schram is leading a group that will carve and paint different types of gourds to create bird houses. In the process, students will learn the art of making a custom bird house out of locally grown materials and deciding which style house suits different species.

Science teachers, Jim Landskroener and Jen Clegg, are teaming up to lead the Rube Goldberg Contraption Contest. In this class students will design and experiment with different materials to build a hilarious contraption that will perform a specific job. The exercise is named for comedian Rube Goldberg.

The Silent Film class is taught by fifth grade teacher Patrick Pearce. Students will learn about early silent films and then create one of their own. Students will create a short story script involving specific characters, a conflict and a resolution. They will then learn how to represent that script through physical acting.

Severin Schut and Campbell Parkhurst rehearse for their silent film.

Forensic Science is taught by math teacher Douglas Pfaff. In his class, students will learn the basics of Forensic Science through lessons and labs. Topics include analysis of fingerprints, bite marks, blood spatter and glass fractures. Students will also learn to cast molds and use proper forensic lab procedures.

Mural Design is a class comprised of only eighth grade students and it is led by eighth grade homeroom teacher Holly Roddy. Each year a group of eighth students design and paint a mural on canvas that reflects the collective personality of that class. The completed mural is then installed and remains on display in the middle school. This year the class has selected super heroes as their theme.

In Jewelry Making, music teacher Kate Bennett, will teach students how to make their own beads using polymer clay and then use those beads to make their own bracelets. They will also design and make cases in which they can store their jewelry.

Kent School offers two sessions of Explorations each year. A second selection of courses will be available in the spring semester. Headmaster, Chris Gorycki said, “These classes introduce our students to a variety of vocations and avocations that enhance our school curriculum. You never know when a non-traditional learning opportunity like this will ignite a passion. It is also a wonderful opportunity for students to integrate classroom learning with real-world applications. We are fortunate to have so many talented and energetic staff members who are willing to share their expertise through Explorations.”