“What Will My Kid Do at WonderLab?” Meet Four of Our Founding Learners

As we pointed out in a previous blog post, the one question we most often hear from parents is, “What will my child actually do here?” Now, with the benefit of several months under our collective belts, I wanted to circle back to this question and provide a different, more anecdotal answer by looking at a few key “case studies” — the kids themselves.

But first, a quick review of our approach to learning: Through a series of initial exercises, a Learner will identify something that inspires them—something that they are passionate about. Then, aided by the questions, encouragement and accountability of a WonderLab Mentor Guide, each Learner develops a project and plan to learn more about the things that inspire them. 

We map this approach as a path along a trail to their Inspired Goal. It looks like this:

Per WonderLab's "questlamation mark" logo, what our Mentor Guides do at WonderLab is ask big questions (?), that lead to Learners' inspired answers (!), and then more big questions (?)...

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So as you can imagine, what each individual Learner actually does at WonderLab is as unique as that individual child.  Now, without further ado, I am delighted to introduce the following amazing kids, some of our “Founding Learners:”

MADDIE
Age: 9
School: St. Andrew’s (private)
Membership Level: Compass
Gifts Q&A?! Excerpt:

• Ask five people who know you well what talents or gifts do I have that you don’t see in anyone else?  
• "Maddie has very strong leadership abilities that are a little bit under the surface --- which actually makes her a more effective leader, as people trust that she is genuine!"

Inspired Hypothesis: To become a veterinarian.
Parent Feedback: “I think it's going great... I really love this whole process.”

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JAKE
Age: 9
School: Steiner Ranch Elementary (public)
Membership Level: Horizon
Flow Q&A?! Excerpt: 

• When do you lose track of time --- when does five hours feel like five minutes because you're "in the zone?"
• Playing Minecraft and LEGOs!
  

Inspired Hypothesis: To make a LEGO movie that gets 1,000 hits.
Parent Feedback: “Jacob loves WonderLab. He keeps asking to go back, whereas other things I need to drag him by the hair!”

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CARLOS
Age: 13 
School: Homeschooler 
Membership Level: Horizon
Opportunities and Injustices Q&A?! Excerpt:

• What something that makes you angry or frustrated?  Something that exists in the world but shouldn't?
• Some kids don't have books or food!  Species extinction and pollution!
  

Inspired Hypothesis: To publish my first novel. 
Parent Feedback: “It has been great to see Carlos engaged and happy. He has really enjoyed the process so far.” 

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JACK
Age: 13
School: Kealing Magnet School (public)
Membership Level: Compass
Strengths Explorer Q&A?! Excerpt:

• What are your top three themes from the Clifton Strengths Explorer? 
• Organizer (scheduling, planning, and organizing your world makes life better), Confidence (you believe in yourself and what you can do), Relating (you widen the circle of friends for yourself and others)!

Inspired Hypothesis: To design and build a magnet-powered engine.
Parent Feedback: “We always knew our son was a good student. But were looking for ways for him to think for himself and test himself in a ‘non-school’ environment. WonderLab has been great!”

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These elementary- and middle school-aged Learners are still on their individual learning paths and have just begun to develop their Inspired Hypotheses. But they are engaged. They are giving voice to and taking ownership of their passions and inspirations. They are charting their own learning goals. And they’re having a blast!

I hope these profiles provide you with a better understanding of what we do at WonderLab, and that you can picture your kids – or those you may know – becoming part of this extraordinary experience. 

We’re all about asking questions here. I invite you to come for a visit and ask more questions of us. I look forward to seeing you!

Temp