Inquiry and STEAM
Inquiry and Project-Based Learning are built into the RDS curriculum at every stage.
RDS students learn how to apply design-based solutions to global challenges that are important to them. With teacher guidance, they gain an understanding of the research cycle and pose questions, collect data, present to the community, and reflect on their learning. Math, science, engineering, social studies, and art combine in engaging cross-curricular projects that give learners the freedom to problem-solve creatively in a way that intrigues and engages them. Students also encounter productive failure and practice perseverance and adaptability when faced with challenges. RDS has many tools onsite for students to explore, such as fully stocked Maker Carts and a 3D printer in the Middle School Innovation Lab. From Passion Projects in Kindergarten to the Young Innovators' Fair in Grade 8, students are challenged to engage critically with topics that matter to them.
Check out some of our students' recent projects!
Our Senior Kindergarten students present Passion Projects to their classmates. These kick off diverse units of learning, covering all sorts of topics from the human body to travel to rockets and planets!
A team of Junior School students hosted a Spirit Week Bake Sale for Project-Based Learning, raising hundreds of dollars for the McMichael Canadian Art Foundation in their quest to support Indigenous artists.
The Science Fair is a time for students to dig deep into their interests. This year, we saw amazing projects such as a model of a mechanical hand, fruit-powered batteries, and windmill prototypes.
The Young Innovators' Fair challenged our Grade 8s to create an app prototype that addressed an issue regarding water usage and sustainability. Resulting projects investigated various issues, like water use in the fashion industry and eco-tourism.
RDS Wins the 2024 Future Design Competition
We are thrilled to share some exciting news from the Middle School! On Friday, February 9th, RDS participated in the Future Prize Competition organized by Future Design School, alongside many other CIS schools including UCC, Branksome Hall, Crescent, and The York School.
RDS Middle School students Aria, Joel, Hanna, Elle, Liam, and Allie, took on the challenge of tackling a real-world issue through innovative problem-solving methods.
Considering the question "How might we address a meaningful issue in our local community?", the first RDS team chose to focus on food insecurity, while the second team tackled the important issue of safe arrivals for students walking to RDS.
We are thrilled to announce that Hanna, Joel, and Aria emerged victorious, bringing home the win for RDS! Their dedication, creativity, and problem-solving skills truly shone through. Overall, it was a day filled with excitement, teamwork, and critical thinking. We couldn't be more proud of the RDS students who participated in this enriching experience.
By the time students reach Middle School, they are regularly integrating what they are learning with real-world scenarios. Not only are they seeing how STEAM applies to life beyond the classroom, they are iterating on their role within the context of future innovation and artistic design. Productive failure in a highly supportive and safe environment allows students to see what the future looks like and to know, with confidence, that they play an integral role in creating it.