Indian Creek Middle School uses a project-based approach to education.  Each quarter, students complete a major cross-curricular project through their English, Science, and History classes. This interdisciplinary project deepens their learning and builds connections between content areas.  

 

Project-based learning immerses students in real-world, relevant academic work that allows students to direct their own learning.  Projects start with an entry event and project launch as students are challenged to answer a driving question. Next, students take a deep dive into the content of the project through research and instruction. Then, students work to answer the driving question through the development of a product that showcases their understanding of the project content and their application of that knowledge. In this phase, students rely heavily on feedback to iterate and improve their project. Finally, students present their projects in a public forum to share their learning, make connections, and receive feedback from the wider community. This process builds key success skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and problem solving.  

 

Sixth grade students focus on interdisciplinary learning during their first project of the year. In this project, students explore the driving question of “How can I help users to learn about and explore Greek mythology through story, concept art, and a video game?” Students write their own Greek myths in English class, create Greek culture concept art and murals in History class, and combine their Greek myth and concept art in Science in order to code their own video game. During the showcase, peers, parents, and teachers will play the game in order to learn more about Greek mythology.  

 

Seventh grade students focus on life science during their first Science project of the year. Students explore the driving question of “How can we, as biologists, use models to help others better understand the cell as the basic unit of life?” Students research the key components of a cell and its importance to life as they create a scientifically-accurate interactive model of a living cell. During the showcase, peers, teachers, and parents will view the models to learn about the importance of the cell as a key component of life.  

 

Eighth grade students focus on creating kind and inclusive environments on campus during their first English project of the year. Students explore the driving question of “What can we do in Middle School to encourage kind behavior and discourage damaging interactions, especially pertaining to identity?”  Students use the novel American Born Chinese as a mentor text to design and create an anti-bullying campaign for the ICS campus and community.