The Williams School’s annual Day of Exploration took place on October 9. While students in grades ten to twelve took the PSAT, those in grades six to nine stepped outside the classroom to engage with local history, science, and the arts.
Explorations Included:
Sixth Grade: The Road to the American Revolution
Sixth graders studied the path of the American Revolution by visiting Fort Griswold in Groton, Connecticut. There, they learned about the Battle of Groton Heights—the only Revolutionary War battle fought in Connecticut. As part of their exploration, students drew scenes from the battle and created captions based on what they learned.
Seventh Grade: Discovering Amistad
Seventh graders, currently learning about government, worked in small groups to research the three branches and present their findings. They then applied this knowledge to the Amistad case. Presenters from the Discovering Amistad program in New Haven, Connecticut, provided background on African enslavement, the journey of the Amistad, the rebellion, and the resulting legal case in the United States.
Eighth Grade: Exploring Bluff Point
Eighth graders explored the trails of Bluff Point State Park in Groton, Connecticut. While hiking, they collected water samples at various locations and measured pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen content.
Ninth Grade: Leadership & Science at the Connecticut College Arboretum
Ninth graders began their day with a leadership seminar focused on understanding individual and group core values. They participated in the #WinAtSocial challenge to align these values with their online presence. They then hiked to the Arboretum to draw mushrooms, hunt for tardigrades, and search for salamanders.
According to Assistant Head for Teaching and Learning Jane Hannon, “The Day of Exploration provides students in grades six through nine the opportunity to engage outside of the classroom in areas of study and topics they have been learning about. Of course, it is also wonderful for students to have an extended block of time to simply be together, forming new friendships and learning with each other.”
