An Amazing Learning Extension!

Last year in fourth grade students participated in a combined library and enrichment class in which they were supported in developing research questions based on their own interests, finding the answers to those questions and then developing a project to share what they learned.  The process we used with students is documented on this blog:  https://thinkcreatecollaborate.blogspot.com/

The work that students completed during this capstone process is always amazing and unique because it is really driven by their own interests.

Last year one student decided to work on the question:  How do we remember things?

http://images.all-free-download.com/images/graphiclarge/human_brain_picture_165499.jpg

It turned out that this was a question that his sister and he had been discussing at home and that she had submitted to a podcast show for young learners called Tumble Podcast http://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/.   He thought that instead of waiting for their response he would find the answer and create his own podcast!  His work was great and at the end of the school year he had completed his podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZMQUN1hP2o

His podcast was shared with our school learning community at an in person celebration and posted online. Normally this would be the end of the capstone process as students move to the middle school for Grade5!

But in this case, the exciting part is that at the same time the Tumble Podcast had also decided to explore this question. They created their own podcast with the input from expert scientists...BUT they also included our RES students' work as well (his family had shared his work with the podcast producers!)
Here is the completed Tumble Podcast with our RES student featured!
https://art19.com/shows/tumble/episodes/a7e1b749-9440-49b9-b26b-589b78f4b067

When students pursue their interests their learning is always amazing, but this extension beyond the classroom adds to the idea that we build knowledge as a community of learners -- within our school community but also with the support of family members and experts.  I love playing just a small role in a students' learning journey as they navigate their interests and new knowledge.  As a teacher I believe that it is important to support student interests. Each student is the reason I became a teacher, and this connection to the real world is a reminder to me of how we all play a role in the education of our kids. It is inspiring to see how students have the same questions that other adults pursue as careers over a lifetime.  I am so lucky to learn next to such amazing, thoughtful students!