Quest 2023

Page 24

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


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Service CelebratingMilestones

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page 80

King Cares 5K

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page 71

Homecoming 2023

1min
pages 70-71

Uniting Vikings Past and Present

1min
page 69

A Quest for Empathy on a Path Less Traveled

3min
pages 60-61

Ted Shaker K’68

1min
page 59

All in the Family: Grit, Curiosity, and Television

6min
pages 56-59

Perseverance in Education Brings Entrepreneurial Success

3min
pages 54-55

Creating Spaces Bridging Art, History, and Access

3min
pages 52-53

Summer of Love Meets Law and Order

4min
pages 50-51

Ellen Dyer Thornton LH’62

1min
page 49

Serendipitous Sisterhood A Low-Heywood Bond

3min
pages 48-49

A Tradition in Teaching

2min
pages 46-47

A Season of Achievements Girls Volleyball

1min
page 41

Viking Tenacity 2022-23

1min
page 40

Schooling With Purpose Finding Meaning in Every Activity

6min
pages 36-39

Certificates of Distinction: A Path to Deeper Learning

9min
pages 30-35

Adventures in Edinburgh: A Story of Transformation

3min
pages 28-29

College Counseling Starting Early With a Tailored Approach

4min
pages 26-27

R .E . A .D .Y . to Succeed: Preparing for a Tech-Driven World

2min
pages 24-25

Nurturing Leadership in the Lower School

3min
pages 22-23

A Contemporary Haven for Learning and Innovation

2min
pages 20-21

Educating for a Globalized World

5min
pages 16-19

Karen Raidt: Living With Purpose

5min
pages 12-15
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