When many of us went off to college, we had little perspective on “what we wanted to be” or careers beyond what we saw our parents or close relatives doing. Why didn’t our K-12 experiences help us to better see the possibilities? Why shouldn’t school help to give that perspective? At Long-View, we decided to do that.

To outline this effort and belief, a few years ago we wrote a blog post titled Learning Within a Larger Ecosystem. It explains “we think of Long-View as a porous organization, and work to use and be part of the wider ecosystem of learning that exists around us.” Further, ”Learning is precipitated on openness, opportunity, connections, depth, and curiosity. At Long-View, we don’t wait for these to find us, but actively seek them out. Interacting with professionals and specialists helps us gain perspective as we learn about a high-level topic.”

But in this post, we want to tell you more about the experts who have come to us recently. Returning to our more regular cadence of hosting experts (after covid-related disruptions), last school year we welcomed many fascinating visitors both in person and virtually. Dr. Jenna Moore told scientists about her “library” of worm specimens in the natural history museum in Hamburg….

7th & 8th Graders Attend The Teton Science School

In early March, Long-View 7th and 8th graders had the opportunity to spend five days at the Teton Science School in Grand Teton National Park. They were treated to immersive learning about the park’s ecosystem and the organisms living there. Learners and guides traversed the park on snowshoes and cross-country skis, a test of humor and humility for young people and adults alike. Skilled instructors from the Teton Science School guided the learners through experiments and observations in snow science, animal identification, geology and other facets of the natural systems….

Jade Band Learners Create Documentaries

At the end of October, Jade Band embarked on a historical research unit in Literacy Block. In this rich unit the learners completed in-depth research on historical periods and trends — with a focus on comparative analysis and the understanding of patterns rather than the acquisition of facts. For many of the learners, their substantial research was in the form of print sources, online sources, and interviews. The kids also got to practice the archival detective-work that professional historians conduct…

LiteracyLisa ZapalacNovember 12, 2019Long-View Schoolfield experiences, documentary

Field Experience: Data Visualization

Studying graphs and thinking about data visualization has been a thread across the year, most especially during Campfire conversations and in Science Block. We’ve regularly analyzed and discussed some of the amazingly beautiful and fascinating graphs highlighted in The New York Times’ “What’s Going On With This Graph?” program, and our young scientists have had many thoughtful lessons and discussions related to how scientists use graphs to analyze and communicate data (great example can be found here). Yesterday, Auburn and Navy Banders walked over to The University of Texas’ VisLab to learn more about data visualization.…

Learning Within A Larger Ecosystem

If you’ve visited Long-View, you know we are situated in a retro-style building that has floor to ceiling windows on all external walls. Every academic space thus has a big view of the world outside our school; depending on which room you are in, your view may encompass the leafy branches of a tree, cars on a busy street, or cyclists headed home. The school feels open and connected to the world beyond our walls, and truly is connected. In every way we can, we think of Long-View as a porous organization, and work to use and be part of the wider ecosystem of learning that exists around us….

Field Experience: Environmental Science

To kick off their environmental science unit, Teal and Indigo Bands headed out this morning for a half day excursion to Whirlpool Cave through Austin Watershed Protection. They climbed deep into the Edward’s Aquifer via caves to explore Austin's unique Karst topography and learn more about our city’s watershed. This experience will be helpful as they later move into a project focused on water quality in which the learners will develop their own water filtration systems.….

All Hands on Deck: Biomechanics Engineering Challenge in Indigo Band

Problem solving is an integral part of the learning experience at Long-View, and Indigo Band learners are working on the unique, not to mention complex, endeavor of constructing a prosthetic hand that can handle (pun intended) the task of grasping and lifting a cup of sand with a weight of at least 200 grams. “One of the biggest challenges is that we have to design it using materials either from the Maker Space or from home,” says Esme. “Marin’s prototype is really impressive,” she adds. “She’s even thinking about connecting a motor to it!”