Imagine a school where every student feels seen, valued, and ready to take on their new academic adventures with confidence. Introducing QUEST, hands-on, game-based problem-solving content that engages students in community building. The first few weeks of school are crucial for building a connected classroom, providing a window for students and educators to build relationships based on trust, respect, and acceptance.
QUEST is an engaging, schoolwide experience that brings students together in teams to solve problems, make decisions, and engage in purposeful play. From establishing classroom norms, to building team spirit, to learning about each other through reflective discussion, QUEST creates a sense of community organically. The playful nature of QUEST helps break down barriers, setting a tone that encourages everyone to be curious and communicative.
In QUEST, each student team comprises a variety of types of learners that represent different academic, social, and linguistic strengths. Throughout the process, all students have opportunities to showcase their strengths and step into leadership roles. Even students that may be challenged in more traditional academic activities can leverage their unique strengths to help the team succeed in hands-on STEM and communication-based tasks.
QUEST uses a learner-centered approach, which shifts the focus and balance of power from the educator to the student. With learner-centered instruction, students are empowered to take active ownership of their learning, while educators act as facilitators and even co-learners. This fresh approach to traditional power structures fosters a more equitable environment where students see their teacher as someone they can trust and communicate with honestly, instead of as a figure of power, authority, and discipline.
Creating a sustaining community of belonging requires going beyond assemblies and icebreakers to cultivate a truly connected culture where students and educators can build a growth mindset, dare to be curious, and ask for help when they need it. The immersive world of QUEST provides a safe container for everyone to take risks, fail, learn, and try again.
Transform your school culture and kick off the year with excitement and connection with QUEST. QUEST can be implemented in 30-60 minute segments for a total of 15 hours, which can be played in concentrated sessions during the first weeks of school or stretched out over a few months. Watch students learn and thrive in a community built on trust, respect, and playful learning!