Young Explorers Academy

Curriculum

While enrolled in this academy, students will be charged with finding creative solutions to authentic, real-world problems. Students will use primary and secondary resources, research selected topics, and apply their knowledge and ideas to the problem-solving model.

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The problem-solving model includes: 

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Step 1: Identify Challenges 

Step 2: Select an Underlying Problem 

Step 3: Produce Solution Ideas 

Step 4: Generate and Select the Criteria 

Step 5: Apply the Criteria 

Step 6: Develop an Action Plan 

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Students will learn to create solutions to complex problems, evaluate them, and turn them into a workable action plan. 

Opportunities for students include: 

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• Participate in Project Soapbox and Future Problem Solvers

• Field experiences to governmental buildings and landmarks 

• Become a member of the Principal Advisory Board and the SLT 

• Opportunity to meet elected officials and district decision-makers

Classes available for SY 2023-2024 include: 

Local Leader of Change: This class provides students with the opportunity to identify real problemsand implement real solutions in our community. Students will have a chance to select a problem based on their interests. Problems can range from environmental to social issues - students will decide the focus of their project. Students will use primary and secondary resources, research selected topics, then apply their knowledge and ideas to the problem-solving model. A teacher will assist, guide,  facilitate, and provide feedback to students on their work. At the end of the class, all students will present their project to a panel of experts.

Example of a group project: 

“ECOplastic aiIS to spread awareness about single-use plastics in schools. The accumulation of plastics in oceans harIS wildlife and destroys ecosystems, and plastic in landfills takes thousands of years to decompose. Educating young students on plastics and instilling environmentally friendly habits enables them to impact their communities. Students partnered with schools and held presentations and poster-making activities to raise awareness. Through  hands-on, informative projects with students from different schools and  social media, students banned plastic utensils in their district.” 

Global Leaders of Change:  Students will research a series of global topics in this class and learn the six-step Creative Problem Solving Process. Students will complete in-depth research about topics of global importance, then learn to address topic-related complex situations systematically. Students will  apply their knowledge and the problem-solving process to address an imagined problem set in the future called a “Future World.” Future World topics include global business & economics, science & technology, and social & political issues. A teacher will assist, guide,  facilitate, and provide feedback to students on their work. At the end of the class, all students will complete a presentation/booklet outlining their action plan. 

Example of a Future World problem: 

Science & Technology: 

“Machines were developed to assist with dangerous and difficult jobs. Currently, unskilled human labor is being replaced with robotics more quickly than ever. Advancements in such machines move the technology closer and closer to lights-out manufacturing. In countries with robust national safety nets, these changes are viewed as inevitable, and they have begun to explore new human employment concepts. Robotic workers often provide for human safety, as in the case of bomb disposal. Laborers are fearful of how these looming employment changes and uncertain of how their work life will proceed. A robotic workforce's effects go beyond manufacturing as university-trained individuals such as lawyers and accountants are already impacted by automation.

What will the human workforce of the future look like? Will specialized training and education be needed for a combined human and robotic workforce? What will our future workforce look like? How will robotics impact our future economy in the workforce?”