SCHOOLING WITH PURPOSE
R.E.A.D.Y. to Succeed:
Preparing for a Tech-Driven World
T
he more Ben Fineberg ’27 played baseball, the more he wondered what was special about the bats he liked. He decided to make one to see what went into the process. He enlisted performing arts teacher Mark Silence, a master in woodworking, for guidance. Ben researched various bat-making techniques, found an old Louisville Slugger, measured it, created drawings, found scrap wood, and set out to make a “test bat.” With Silence guiding him, Ben practiced using table saws, band saws, and belt sanders. He learned to use hand tools, including a spokeshave and some carving tools. When he was ready to shape the wood, he used a lathe to make it round. After the “test bat” was finished, Ben went back to the drawing board, this time using one of his favorite bats. With Silence, he decided to make the new bat with hard maple. The result was a “Ken Lewis-ville Slugger,” named for Ben’s mentor, King’s former baseball coach.
for eighth grade students that is designed to draw on skills developed throughout the lower and middle school years. R.E.A.D.Y. was established when King School’s Computer Science, Engineering, and Innovation Department gathered with lower and middle school leadership to reflect on programs from Prekindergarten through Grade 8. They considered ways to intertwine technology, research competencies, and design thinking into the curriculum. The brainstorming session led to a curriculum overhaul that was aimed at preparing students to engage in an increasingly techdriven world. Starting in the Lower School, students incrementally advance their research and technology skills. Their progress comes together in the R.E.A.D.Y. project, a semester-long independent study for Grade 8 students, directed by Sue Laramie, computer science and digital applications teacher.
“When I used the bat for the first time, it felt very similar to other wood bats I own,” said Ben, who is looking forward to using it next season.
Students embarking on the R.E.A.D.Y. project select a topic and harness the skills they’ve developed to research, use design thinking principles, and effectively communicate their discoveries.
Ben’s investigation was part of his Research, Experience, Action, Designed by You (R.E.A.D.Y.) project, a new program
“The big question is, ‘What interests you?’” said Laramie, adding that the goal of the project was for students to take
22 Quest 2023-24