Click the logo above to go to Brightworks' website.
During coffee with Michael Goldberg, I asked what schools he had visited in the San Francisco. He told me about his recent tour of Brightworks, a school that does hands-on, project-based experiential learning in a mixed-age environment. It sounded fascinating, and I bemoaned the fact that I would be leaving in a day without the chance to see it. "Well," he said, "I'm going back tomorrow to volunteer for a couple hours and my friend Melissa is coming along. I could see if you could come too." And so I was in! The next day I toured the AMAZING (if somewhat expensive) Brightworks School in San Francisco. The photos will speak for themselves. Brightworks uses a system of learning arcs, or themes. Three arcs per year allow the students to delve deeply into topics through a progression of exploration, expression, and exposition. They work in small mixed-aged groups of 7-10 students overseen by an adult (called a 'collaborator') who encourages and mentors.
On Fridays (the day I was there) it is somewhat of a free-choice day. The school begins by students all sitting in a large circle where the adults (and some students) explain what they'll activity they'll be overseeing.
- "Daniel and I are taking apart a printer we found and we're going to see if we can build something new with it. We'll be in the workshop. Come join us if you want."
- "Drawing club is happening in the library."
- "I'll be helping those who need assistance with their writing projects. We'll be at the green table."
- "Pumpking carving is happening in the dining room. Bring your pumpkin if you have one."
- etc etc
The school was soon filled with noise, chatter, and children working on all kinds of exciting projects - some in groups, some on their own.
It needs to be pointed out that the 'school' is actually a very large warehouse. "When we first moved in, four years ago," explained Gabor, one of the school's founders, "there was nothing here. First day of school was us, the kids, and an empty warehouse. Together, adults and children built everything that you see here." What you see is lofts, swings, climbing walls, rooms, nooks, crannies, bridges, tree houses, more lofts, a kitchen, a fully equipped workshop, laptops everywhere, music equipment, art supplies, and so much more that even after three circles around I still kept coming across areas that I hadn't noticed before. With all the hands-on, real-life equipment and supplies, students are continually engaged and working on interesting projects. Taking from many educational philosophies (Reggio Emilia, free schools, Sudbury Schools…) but adhering to no one specific approach, Brightworks' slogan is" "Everything is interesting. We can create anything." From what I saw, this vision is truly happening.
Photos from my visit are below….if you Google 'Brightworks' images, you'll see many
more amazing photos of this amazing space and kids working in it.