Experiential Learning at SSFS

Thanks to all in our community who participated in the annual Lower School Wee Mail tradition from Feb. 8-13, when the Kindergarten class applied its study of the U.S. Postal Service to run their own local mail delivery service, collecting and distributing letters throughout the SSFS campus. The Kindergarten postal workers and their 5th Grade assistants delivered a grand total of 3,595 pieces of mail during Wee Mail week—despite a snow day! 

Students from Anthony Perdue's AP African American Studies class have been hosting "Lunch and Learn" sessions throughout February, presenting topics from their recent research projects. 

6th Grade students are reading Lois Lowry's novel The Giver, and on Feb. 20, participated in a re-enactment of the "Ceremony of Twelves" where they are assigned jobs in the community.  

The "Gnu Writers" sixth-grade literary magazine—a vibrant student-driven publication—came to life again this year at the conclusion of their engaging poetry unit. Each aspiring writer contributes an original poem along with a thoughtful literary analysis; photographers select images that complement the text; and clerks (selected via the Quaker decision-making process) ensure that the various departments stay in communication and maintain organization. 

See some of the many instances of curious, engaged students participating in hands-on learning activities around every corner and in every division, from the Preschool classroom's "Valentine's Science" experiments, to the Upper School's AP Environment Science class's "Value of a tree" project. 

Middle School 7th Grade Science students have culminated their study of the layers of the atmosphere by creating visual presentations; their projects are displayed in the MS's Smith Collection Space for everyone in the Middle School to view.

Flower bulbs and seeds may currently be buried under snow, but MS students will be prepared to identify all the flower parts this spring, thanks to their recent flower dissection lesson in science!

This year, Middle School students joined Lower School students in the Art Barn for the festive annual tradition of making candles to illuminate their homes this holiday season.

After weeks of observing very hungry caterpillars transform into beautiful butterflies, our preschoolers took the butterflies to the campus pond on a beautiful, warm fall day to wish them safe travels and release them!

The 4th grade had a great time during their Outdoor Education day, which included low ropes course activities, a hike to the Sandy Spring, quiet reflection in nature, and a campfire with singing and marshmallow-roasting!

Thank you to all who were able to attend the Class of 2024 SSFS Senior Passion Projects webinar held on Wednesday, May 29 (6:30-8:45pm). If you were unable to attend—or want to re-watch these dynamic presentations—the video recording is now available on the 2024 Senior Passion Project web page, just below the Overview and Schedule portions of the web page. You can also see Sam's finalized film project, Frames of Mind!

SSFS once again participated in the annual DC Electric Vehicle Grand Prix, this year entering two electric cars built by our team of student engineers, with guidance from team sponsors David Hickson and Parshu Gyawali. The 2024 race included very experienced teams, including two teams from a school that recently won the international event in Dubai. Despite this very stiff competition, SSFS placed 6th out of 29 teams (23 schools), an impressive showing given the experience of the top-placing teams (see final standings)! Several alums from last year's team showed up to lend a hand on Saturday: an example of how special our SSFS community is. Parents and community members who have an interest in supporting our team's efforts with technical and/or construction EV expertise, please contact David Hickson.

As part of Jamie Bonetti's 6th grade Science class's Hydrology unit, the students visit the on-campus stream, which is a tributary of the Anacostia, and eventually leads to the Chesapeake Bay. Here, the students do a close examination of the water to see what organisms live in and around the stream. Along with lots of snails, crayfish, and mayfly larvae, students also found several water pennies. Since these macroinvertebrates can only survive in clean water, finding them is an indicator that the stream's water is healthy and unpolluted. Using water samples from the stream, students also test other parameters like phosphates, nitrates, and pH, to support claims regarding the health of the water system. 

4th graders enjoyed delicious hands-on learning as they used their knowledge of fractions to make and slice pizzas, eating them with produce picked from their class's raised garden bed!

Come along as we take a look back at one of our Middle School’s spring semester classes. Guided by the principles of an innovative problem-solving approach called design thinking, this group of engaged seventh and eighth graders tackled a real-world challenge presented by an SSFS staff member who uses a wheelchair. In the process, they learned about engineering, disabilities, privilege, and much more. This inspiring story showcases the transformative power of an SSFS education to equip students to become empathetic and innovative problem solvers. 

Each year the nonprofit organization Global EEE (Global Education Energy Environment) sponsors a race of student-built electric vehicles. SSFS's Upper School Engineering Club entered a vehicle in the Washington, DC, event, which included 25 teams from MD, VA, and DC schools, including some of the region's best public technical schools and STEM magnet programs. SSFS was the only independent school to enter this year, and they placed fifth out of 25 teams and earned the "Best New Team" award!