Imagining the Past
Mount Prospect Academy students from Campton, Plymouth, and Rumney proudly displayed their individual projects last week at the campus locations. Students at MPA campuses learn using a variety of traditional and nontraditional modalities to gain academic skills. These projects provide an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge, develop essential skills, and foster creativity. To further MPA’s Mission, student’s academic competencies and sense of connection, the projects presented by students reflected their own interests and subject. Thematic and processing guidance provided MPA Faculty continuously encouraging students throughout the multi-step and multi-week projects.
One of the key advantages of student school projects at MPA is the hands-on learning experience.
Some students used a 3D printer to create an amazingly detailed life-like display of a medieval dragon overwatching a field. Others produced a finely scaled model of a Native American Village.
Additionally, more traditional backboard displays highlighted the role of African Americans in the Second World War, and the innovative armaments and weapons developed during the war.
When reflecting on the student’s final projects, MPA Faculty members Juliano Bigio, Dewitt Lightsey, and Derek Plichta, among others, explained how the projects served as foundation for additional learning. The students spent the weeks prior researching their topics, reading literature, stories, rulebooks, and character analysis, in addition to the history before moving on to the actual physical displays.
“Getting our students to understand the whole picture of an event, the scene, the people, and characters involved, and the connections between them is critical to the learning process. The therapeutic environment of MPA is a place where we want our students to have the opportunity to grow and acquire the skills needed for life. As such, for our students, the process itself is as equally important to the learning experience.”
The variety of projects was extensive, and it was clear after speaking with the MPA students that completing these school projects had instilled a sense of accomplishment. Their eagerness to discuss their projects and their sense of pride in their effort was evident to all who viewed them.
Congratulations!
