xPerimental, xPeriential, xBlocks

Seven years ago, as part of Thacher’s ongoing commitment to expanding the curriculum and pedagogy while also meeting the evolving needs of adolescent learners in today’s world, the School launched its xBlock elective program, serving as both a faculty incubator for innovative topics and methods as well as vehicle for students to sample subjects they might otherwise miss, learn a new skill, or deepen knowledge of an existing passion.

22 Spring/Summer 2022

In 2021-2022, electives included:

Art, Design, & Technology Conservation Engineering

Contemporary Journalism and Global Citizenship

Design and Fabrication Workshop

Prototype of a "turtle trap" designed by students in the Conservation Engineering xBlock class. The traps are currently being used in Ojai and at a state water conservation location in Fillmore, California.

These single-term electives, which revolve around inquiry-driven learning, are the most flexible aspect of the Thacher curriculum. Ideas for offerings routinely spring from current events, strong student interest, or from the expertise of a faculty member or visiting scholar. Some students enroll in xBlock classes to support their academic interests (for example, conservation engineering pairs well with field biology). The learning is not just for students; faculty use these classes to test and develop new ideas for courses and teaching methods. Together, students and teachers explore topics and projects outside our core curriculum in a spirit of collaboration and discovery. Over 100 students added xBlock classes to their schedules this year.

“The combination of our students’ deep curiosities and our supportive, engaged teachers make our xBlock electives offerings more robust and dynamic every year,” said Dr. Kamala Qalandar, Director of Programs for Technology and Innovation and Math and Science Teacher.

The xBlock roster continuously changes year-to-year and term-to-term based on faculty and student interest. In this case, faculty can also include visiting artists and scholars. This year, we welcomed photography-based remix artist Cassandra C. Jones and her husband Mikael Jorgensen, pianist and keyboardist for the band Wilco, to teach a technology-based art and music class. Cinematographer Carissa Ridgeway Tudor CdeP 2000 teamed up with the Turtle Conservancy to teach a class about documentary film and conservation.

As we look ahead to 2022-2023, xBlock offerings are still being finalized but so far include a new conservation engineering class focused on the campus ecosystem taught by Dr. Qalandar. No doubt there will be many more exciting opportunities ahead.

Documentary Film and Conservation (collaboration with the Turtle Conservancy and Carissa Tudor Ridgeway CdeP 2000)

Intro to Ethical Investing (collaboration with Nathan Wallace CdeP 2002)

Intro to GermanSocial Entrepreneurship

Technology-Based Art & Music (taught by visiting artists Cassandra C. Jones & Mikael Jorgensen)

The combination of our students’ deep curiosities and our supportive, engaged teachers make our xBlock electives offerings more robust and dynamic every year.

- DR. KAMALA QALANDAR Director of Programs for Technology

Innovation and Math and Science Teacher

The Thacher School 23