News from the Nest

As always we've been busy in the Nest. Some of the project topics that the kids are working on include; Aikido, The Orchestra, International Holidays, Deadliest Diseases, and Paranormal Activity. The range of interests the Nesters explore is vast. The Nesters have also recently logged into Thrively.com and filled out an individualized strength assessment. This is a free online tool designed to help students find their strengths and develop passions through an individualized learning platform. Almost all of the Nesters who completed the strength assessment tool thought that is was quite accurate. Check it out for yourself! I also wanted to take a moment to share some of the things the Nesters said they wanted to do to make the world a better place. Jack said he wanted "an endless food supply" so no one would go hungry. Ella wants "to make sure everyone has a home and clean water."  Devin wants to "stop global warming." And Cori says she'd like "to clean all the trash out of the ocean." The Nesters are more than just scholars, they are our future!

Mark your calendars! We will be having our annual Open House on Thursday, March 30, at 6pm. I hope you can join us and see all of the great work the Nesters have been doing this year.

Inventions

We have been busy here in the Nest! We are beginning to share individual projects. We have already heard about soccer player Alex Morgan and the amazing history of Italy! Many more terrific projects will be shared in the weeks to come. As always, the Nesters are working hard and inspiring each other to research, question, learn, interpret and create!  We have also been doing some fun group activities. Here are a few pictures of inventions designed by the Nesters to make the world a better place.

 

I think we can all agree we are in good hands!

Welcome to 2016-2017 Falcon's Nest

I love autumn! I love the colors the leave turn, the chill in the morning air and most of all the start of Falcon's Nest! Welcome to a new year in the Nest! This year marks my tenth year as the Falcon's Nest Facilitator and I am lucky to have worked with so many wonderful students over the past decade. It is truly an honor to spend my day with such creative and thoughtful people. This year's Nesters are as eager to get started as I am. We will begin the year with lots of group activities and brainstorming ideas for their independent projects. It is always amazing to witness the wide variety of interests and passions the students possess. While I don't yet know exactly what the Nesters will want to research and explore, I do know I will be inspired and impressed by each and every one of them!

Falcon's Nest Open House!

We had a terrific Open House last week. The Nesters shared their incredible work with the HES community. Here are a few pictures from that special night!

Falcon's Nest Open House 4-28-16 @ 6-7pm

Come join us to celebrate the terrific work the Nesters have done this year! Our annual Open House will be Thursday, 4/28 from 6-7pm. We are eager to share our projects with you!

Leadership

Here are some of our Nesters with their favorite leadership quotes!

Sharing and Builidng

The Nest has been buzzing with activity! Many of the kids have begun sharing their terrific projects with the group. We have seen presentations on everything from Sleep and Nocturnal Animals to Coins to Action Movies. It is so fun to watch them present their work. They are eager to share their new found expertise and answer questions from the other Nesters. The questions and comments from the other kids are both supportive and inquisitive. Everyday they demonstrate respect for learning and for each other! It is such a privilege to spend time here in the Nest with these kids.

Below are a few of our fifth grade Nesters working on an engineering challenge.The Nesters are always up for something new! One of their favorite group activities is building challenges. During this session they worked in small groups to see who could build the tallest free standing structure out of marshmallows and spaghetti. Good planning, teamwork and building skills were all on display!