Experiential Approach

What is Experiential Learning?
Experiential learning is a process by which educators engage students through a cycle of direct experience, reflection, analysis, and experimentation. At Athenian, this approach is woven into everyday classroom learning and is foundational to some of our signature programs: Athenian Wilderness Experience (AWE), March Term, Focus Days, and Round Square. Community service is another way students engage in experiential learning at Athenian.

Through experiential or hands on lessons, Athenian students call upon critical life skills such as collaboration, tenacity, courage, inquisitiveness, and self-awareness. The skills and knowledge gained in and outside the classroom is deep, integrated, and lasting.

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International Relations Simulation

To culminate their first unit on political theory, Upper School students in the International Relations seminar assume the perspectives of world leaders to negotiate a new Iran nuclear deal. Students collaborate in country teams to research past policies and propose new solutions to their classmates to this pressing global issue.
The Arts at Athenian

While art is by nature experiential, Athenian's filmmaking class is especially immersive. Students watch and analyze films to learn about compelling storylines and filmmaking techniques. They write their own script and develop the technical skills needed to create their own short films. Students showcase their final creations in the Athenian Film Festival and some submit work to local and national film festivals!
Architecture in Social Studies

To better understand the enduring legacy of Roman achievements in architecture, engineering, and design, Middle School Social Studies student teams combined historical research and investigations of technique in the Carter Innovation Studio to alternately create mosaics, 3D print renown structures, craft city layout plans on Minecraft EDU, or build concrete arches (key to structure like aqueducts, domes, and arenas).
Chemistry Exam = Escape Room?

Students in Advanced Chemistry use their lab skills and understanding of thermochemistry for their final. During this assessment, teams of students work to solve riddles using chemistry, including how to turn on a light using their knowledge of gases, how to rapidly melt ice to get access to a key, and revealing a code written in invisible ink to gain access to a code that allowed them to open a treasure box filled with candy!
Poetry and Performance

In the Upper School Poetry seminar students learn about the development of the modern and contemporary poetic voice, acquiring a deep appreciation of poetry and its power to express both personal and cultural concerns. The culminating project is an original work that integrates elements learned throughout the semester and an option to participate in a live poetry reading at a local bookstore.
Statistics in Middle School

Pre-Algebra students get a lesson in statistics using their own data. This multi-day project includes gathering the travel experience of the entire class (States visited within age ranges) which they then used to create double line graphs, histograms, circle graphs, stem-and-leaf plots, and more. In addition to lessons in data gathering and graph making, students are tasked with thinking critically about the use of graphs, writing reflections on when to use what graphs and how to interpret data.
Film-making in Science Class?

Middle School Physical Science kicks off its chemistry unit studying atomic structures and chemical bonding. Students learn to write and balance chemical equations then jump into their chemical reaction project. Applying principles discussed throughout, students work in groups to create chemical reaction stop-motion videos! From alien abductions to chemical warfare students engage their creative side while reinforcing content and concepts.