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Energized About Energy!

By Hero's Journey Academy

Year 6 Session 6 Weeks 2 & 3

Over the past two weeks, our Elementary School heroes have been busy learning, exploring, and growing together through hands-on adventures.

In our “Story of Energy” quest, learners began exploring hunter-gatherer societies and how early humans gained energy from plants and animals. To bring these ideas to life, the heroes participated in mock activities where they practiced “hunting,” “fishing,” and even escaping predators. These energetic games helped them better understand the challenges and strategies early humans faced while working together as a team. Alongside this historical exploration, learners also conducted several experiments investigating thermal energy, sparking curiosity about how heat moves and how energy works in the world around us.

Learners test thermal energy with a glowing heat lamp, cups, and thermometers
Learners play an outdoor energy activity near a climbing dome and paper cups on the gravel by the building
Learners pose outdoors by a building and climbing dome during an energy activity
Learners crouch under a camo tarp by a fence during an early humans game

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We also enjoyed a wonderful Parent Coffee where Mrs. Tanksley introduced a session-long game called “Side Quests for Success.” In this challenge, learners can work on developing heroic traits—such as perseverance, kindness, and responsibility—to earn rewards throughout the session. The excitement quickly spread into art class, where heroes designed their own game characters and decorated the shields they will earn as they level up. Their creativity and imagination were on full display!

Two trays of strawberry and apple tarts on a table with potted plants in the background
Classroom display of hero drawings, Side Quests for Success boards, and printed lists on a glass door
Three learners draw and color game characters at art tables during art class
Heroes at an art table draw game characters and decorate reward shields
Learners color game character drawings at a classroom table during art class

Our global learning adventures continued through food and culture. While studying China, Mrs. Molley led the heroes in cooking egg drop soup and pot stickers, giving learners a delicious way to experience the culture firsthand. The following week, during our exploration of India, the learners helped cook Butter Chicken, discovering new flavors and traditions along the way.

A guide stands by a tray of pot stickers in a classroom kitchen
Guide and ingredients on a table during a China cooking lesson, with a pan of cooked food and vegetables
Bowls of egg drop soup and pot stickers on a table for a China cooking activity
A smiling young hero holds a spoon over a bowl of soup with chopsticks and a dumpling on a plate at a table
Two girls sit at a classroom table eating from small bowls during a culture cooking lesson
A hero stirs food in a skillet during a China culture cooking lesson
A young hero eats from a paper plate at a classroom table

We were also honored to welcome guest hero Mr. Kevin Bergquist, who shared his inspiring Hero’s Journey. He spoke with the learners about overcoming obstacles and the determination that helped him achieve a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. His story reminded everyone that perseverance and courage can lead to incredible accomplishments.

Guide speaks to seated learners on a classroom rug under hanging decorations

To top it all off, our community gathered to celebrate Jude’s birthday, ending the week with smiles and celebration.

A child in a cap holds a sprinkled cupcake in a classroom during a birthday celebration

It has been an exciting two weeks of learning, creativity, and heroic growth!

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