Hello, Hedge School families!

6 days ago

2 min read

The last two weeks have been full. Our learners launched Unit 2, "Can AI Save Us From Ourselves?", spotted some wildlife, solved a real problem on campus, and took a field trip to the Blanton Museum in Austin. Here's a look at what they've been up to. (Parents and Students, you can see more detailed descriptions and extra photos in the Prism App!)

Unit 2 is underway: Problem Solvers with AI

Our big question this unit is: what if AI saves us from ourselves? Each learner's mission is to find a problem they care about. It might be personal, local (at school, in the neighborhood, or in Austin) or global. They then design a solution with AI as a partner and pitch it to a real audience.

The learners have started their first conversations with AI to explore the issues they've chosen. The aim is for AI to be a helpful tool, not a replacement for their own thinking. This is where critical thinking, research, and collaboration come in.

Making our world better, one quiet room at a time

Part of this unit involved an Opportunity Walk around campus. One of our students noticed that our Quiet Room felt cramped and busy, and he wanted to open it up. At lunch on October 5, he rearranged the room himself. It's a great example of spotting a problem and acting on it, and the difference in the room is noticeable.

A visitor on the porch

On October 5, a Yellow Garden Spider turned up on our porch. Doc Flynn and Cruz photographed her and used the Seek app to identify her. She's an orb weaver, and goes by many names, such as a Yellow Garden Spider, a Golden Garden Spider, the Writing Spider (my favorite- I think based on her web pattern), the Corn Spider or the McKinley spider. Observing closely, photographing, and checking what we find are habits we love to see.

Field trip: the Blanton Museum

On October 7, the group toured the Blanton Museum in Austin on a Social Justice in Art guided tour. They tied the visit to our Humanities theme, "Can AI Save Us From Ourselves?" They saw the Haas Brothers' Uncanny Valley, and explored its surreal blend of art and technology. One of the sculptures had a digital display of how the sculpture would move were it too move. The also viewed and discussed Seepage by Ghanaian artist, El Anatsui. An aluminum and copper wire piece addressing the continued problem of alcohol in Ghana introduced during Western Colonization. After their tour, students went up to the classrooms and made art out of recycled supplies. Our thanks to everyone at the Blanton!