Dreaming Big and Expanding Horizons at MKA’s Primary School
MKA's Primary School is fostering a culture of lifelong learning by connecting the classroom to the real world through innovative partnerships. Building upon its strong academic foundation, the school fosters student growth by collaborating with inspiring experts and organizations. This approach brings fresh ideas and talent into an already dedicated and talented MKA community, leading to lasting curiosity and intellectual growth.
A prime example is the partnership with MyMachine USA. This program ignites young minds by empowering them to turn dreams into reality. All first graders, guided by art teacher and inventor Jocelyn Fine, brainstormed "Dream Machine" ideas, the primary criterion for which was that the idea was relevant to and desired by the child. Two finalists, the Shape Shifter Roller and the Glasserator, were transformed into concept models by Indiana University students under IU professors Jon Racek and Adam Maltese who established MyMachine in the United States. One concept was then translated into a working machine by technical school students in Wisconsin. The journey culminated in an interactive reveal of the actual working machine on Tuesday, May 21, which was the Shape Shifter Roller! Community members enjoyed an exhibition showcasing the entire process, emphasizing, especially for young learners, the value of collaboration, perseverance, and diverse skill sets. View more photos from this event on mka.org/photogalleries.
The annual Third Grade Capstone project encourages students to reflect and then create. This year, after reminiscing about their favorite memories, third graders embarked on a design challenge to enhance a specific space in Brookside. Working in teams, they followed the design-thinking process, gathering input from Upper School students who had attended Brookside and considering community needs. They then created blueprints and prototypes using recycled materials. On Friday, May 24, the finale for each group was an incredible design fair for the community showcasing the students' creativity, collaboration, and communication skills. View more photos from this event on mka.org/photogalleries.
MKA is committed to nurturing excellence within the school while capitalizing on the fact that it is a magnet for talent, partners, and organizations. These projects at the Primary School illustrate MKA’s commitment to developing STEM+ mindsets by building essential skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and logic.