13 June 2024
After school on Wednesday 12 June, the Goddard Room was abuzz with conversation on topics as wide-ranging as whether space and time are related; social media’s affect on mental health; and whether there is sexism in sport. These discussions, between Year 7 students on our Kritikos programme, parents, staff, including Head of Academic Stretch Mrs Payne, and our Academic Ribbon Hattie, were inspired by the students’ recently completed ‘Curiosity Projects’.
Each Year 7 Kritikos student chose and researched a topic of interest to them. Part way through, they shared their work with, and received advice from, a Year 10 ‘academic buddy’. Some students also reached out to subject experts to deepen their understanding. Once completed, the students presented their work to fellow Kritikos members, several also sharing their projects in class or tutor time. With all this hard work and presentation practice behind them, on Wednesday the students discussed their projects and took questions with confidence and courage. There was also time for two students to present a short summary of their project: Farah talked about happiness, and whether Aristotle’s teaching on this is still relevant, while Ava tackled the question of whether the search for alternative habitats in space is a distraction from addressing environmental issues on Earth.
It was a fascinating session thanks to the students’ hard work and curiosity.
The full list of ‘Curiosity Projects’:
Sarah A: How can social media affect mental health?
Ava J: Is the search for alternative habitats in space a distraction from addressing environmental issues on Earth?
Imaan K: Are space and time related?
Anjali P: What are black holes?
Farah P: Are Aristotle’s teachings about happiness still relevant in 2024?
Leila P: Is there sexism in sport?
Simran S: Is religion sexist?
Lilia S: How do MBTI tests explain psychology and personality?
