Lighting Project Launch
In a true Project Based Learning Experience, all sixth grade science students were challenged to design the lighting song for one of the songs in HONK! Jr: “Warts & All,” “A Poultry Tale,” and “The Blizzard.” During this meeting, they learned about the different specialized lights that the theater has and a bit about how each of them works.
Lighting Project
With the lighting project as a scaffold for their learning, 6th graders spent the next several weeks learning about sixth grade science standards around light and its behavior through inquiry and exploration. They then used knowledge gained to first brainstorm on paper and then to build a model of their lighting ideas, including sets, motions, and colors. After several rounds of feedback, all classes were ready to present in the theater.
Concept Meetings
A few weeks after the exhibition, students with the strongest projects were invited to share their concept ideas directly with Nancy. This group was also invited to the tech rehearsal for further feedback. See videos of these meetings, here.
Project Exhibitions
Sixth grade students gathered in the theater to present their work. All groups that design for the same song gathered on the stage with their box model, and performed their lighting sequence to the music for Nancy, Hector, and a collection of teachers and other adults. Performances were filmed and students were asked clarifying questions about their choices throughout. Several strong projects for each song were selected to attend a lighting design meeting with Nancy. After the exhibition, all groups gave technical presentations to their science teachers for a summative grade.
