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

The 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.

“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.

Ben’s investigation was part of his Research, Experience, Action, Designed by You (R.E.A.D.Y.) project, a new program 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.

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.

“The big question is, ‘What interests you?’” said Laramie, adding that the goal of the project was for students to take ownership of their learning through inquiry, trial, and error. “As these are passion projects, the core criteria is that the topic is researchable, that there is something tangible produced, and the topic reflects something the student is curious about.”

The R.E.A.D.Y. projects were introduced in the 2022-23 school year. As Ben built a baseball bat, his classmates explored a variety of interests. Jimi Kulig ’27, Alex Burgoyne ’27, and Ollie Mansfield ’27 collaborated to make a horror film.

“They were all so different,” Laramie said, reflecting on the first year of R.E.A.D.Y. “It’s exciting because the students are thinking long-term about their projects.”

So much so that this year, the R.E.A.D.Y. program is expanding to two semesters, with students having the entire academic year for in-depth exploration, hands-on experiences, and active engagement with their chosen subjects, fostering a deeper understanding of various aspects of technology and innovation.

The support system has also grown. In addition to Laramie, Teacher Librarian Kim Klein and Innovation Lab Coordinator Mike Fischthal will offer guidance.

“With this added framework,” Laramie said, “the aspiration is to steer students toward more scholarly topics while ensuring their choices resonate with their passions and provide them with the mentorship and support needed for academic success.”

The R.E.A.D.Y. project prepares students to transition into the King Upper School, allowing them to develop robust research and problem-solving skills that will give them a competitive edge and enhance their future academic endeavors.

“One of the biggest takeaways from this project was realizing that it’s easier to do the short small steps than take the big steps that get it done faster,” Ben said. “The R.E.A.D.Y. project made me feel pretty good about entering the Upper School. Now, I plan on taking a woodwork class next semester.”