The IMPACT program in our Middle and Upper School takes student learning and applies it to the jobs of tomorrow

Embark on a transformative journey with KO’s groundbreaking IMPACT Program, shaping the next generation of thinkers and innovators. At KO, we believe in empowering students to become agents of change, driving their learning through real-world challenges and interdisciplinary exploration. These courses immerse students in future-focused skills such as collaboration, communication, and creative problem-solving.

Research shows that students learn more deeply when they can make choices, develop relationships in their communities, answer questions that are relevant to their lives, and develop future-focused skills: collaboration, communication, creative problem solving, reflection/innovation/iteration, empathy, research, technological and media literacy, and engaged citizenship.

In the Upper School IMPACT Lab courses, students apply their skills to make a tangible impact. From delving into revolutionary civics with “We the People” to pioneering green construction in “Eco-Design & Construction,” and exploring the art of game-making in “Game Makers,” students engage with hands-on experiences and industry experts to deepen their understanding and drive meaningful change. In the KO IMPACT Program, students lead with empathy, curiosity, and a passion for making a difference.

All Upper School IMPACT Lab courses are driven by four drivers:

• Interdisciplinary – so you understand the connection among subjects
• Connected to the community – so you put what you are learning into real context
• Centered around the understanding of an authentic question or problem – so you explore the complexity of challenges by being curious instead of certain
• Student-centered – so you can drive the learning process for yourself

We the People: Civics & the Constitution

Engage in a revolutionary civics course that goes beyond the ordinary, providing a backstage pass to the workings of government. From crafting proposals for civic action projects to influencing the Connecticut “Kid Governor” election, this is your chance to be a living, breathing part of civic history. You will learn how power and responsibility are shared and limited by government, the impact American politics has on world affairs, the place of law in the American constitutional system, and which rights the American government guarantees its citizens. You will demonstrate your understanding of the Constitution through six mock congressional hearings that will have you write and present collaboratively and tackle historical and current constitutional questions. Hands-on, real-world applications will include helping facilitate the Connecticut “Kid Governor” election, submitting proposals for civic action projects to local civic bodies, and engaging in conversations with politicians at all levels across the political spectrum. This class is designed as a more intimate, impact-focused look at how the Constitution has, is, and can be applied to our lives. It will emphasize real-world connections, current events (including the elections of  2024), public speaking, and civic engagement.

Eco Design & Construction

Join us at the forefront of green construction in a groundbreaking course that goes beyond theory. In this course, you will roll up your sleeves to renovate a mobile outreach vehicle, catalyzing change through eco-smart design and construction.  After researching sustainable construction practices, you will delve into the foundations of environmentally conscious design, learning to integrate sustainable concepts into architectural blueprints and project plans. You will engage in practical applications of eco-smart construction, from selecting sustainable materials to implementing energy-efficient technologies. Guided by industry experts and utilizing cutting-edge resources, you will gain a holistic understanding of green construction methodologies. Collaborative projects, site visits, and interaction with professionals in the field – including those who will be working on the renovation of  KO’s Community Commons – will provide real-world insights, empowering you to contribute meaningfully to the eco-conscious future of the construction industry.

Game Makers: Video game design

Step into the pulse of gaming innovation as this course unveils the hidden layers of video game design, challenging you to create your own narratives, music, art styles,  and levels. It’s not just about playing games; it’s about crafting them with an eye on the dynamic interplay of storytelling, audience experience, and player choice. In this course, you will dissect four decades of video game history, exploring patterns,  adaptations, and demographic shifts shaping the industry. Focused on unraveling the evolution of player experiences, you will examine the inner workings, design elements, and intended outcomes of both classic and contemporary games. From articulating dynamic game design growth to investigating demographic trajectories,  you will develop critical skills, creating game elements with an emphasis on narrative design, including story, music, art style, level design, audience experience, and player choice/creativity. Rooted in interdisciplinary principles, the curriculum explores historical, technological, artistic, and social facets defining the gaming industry’s emergence, emphasizing themes like Limitation and Creativity and Success and  Failure. Through hands-on experiences using Super Mario Maker 2, you will build and iterate your own levels, framing your work through evolving questions. You will engage with industry experts and learn to see your contributions to a broader, connected community. Utilizing diverse resources, including readings, interviews, and overviews, this course serves as a gateway to understanding modern culture and a burgeoning industry, appealing broadly and fostering connections to existing offerings and cross-curricular projects.

Connecticut Speaker of the House Matt Ritter ’00 visited the “We the People” IMPACT Class, a new initiative centered around civics and constitutional education. This was a dynamic, interactive session where the class rotated on a panel answering different topics. This class allowed students to delve into the U.S. Constitution and its evolution, focusing on key ideals such as independence, equality, liberty, and the consent of the governed.

Throughout the discussions, students provided historical context to underline how the voting landscape in the U.S. has evolved. They cited instances like Jim Crow laws, literacy tests, and poll taxes that once suppressed voter turnout among marginalized groups, illustrating the gradual progress toward a more inclusive democracy.

The students also acknowledged modern-day challenges such as partisan gerrymandering. They examined landmark Supreme Court cases, such as the 1993 case ruling racial gerrymandering unconstitutional and more recent debates on partisan gerrymandering, to discuss whether there are equitable ways to redraw districts.

In our Middle School Skills Incubator courses, students immerse themselves in future-focused skills such as collaboration, communication, and creative problem-solving. Through team-taught classes and community outreach, students tackle authentic questions and share their growth during captivating Presentations of Learning.

• Students will build upon the strong academic skills learned in their core and elective courses while emphasizing personal responsibility, a growth mindset, and reflection.
• Future-focused and student-centered skills mesh with KO values through exposure to new ideas and service learning.
• Topics are infused with hands-on, authentic experiences.

SKILLS INCUBATOR COURSES 2023-2024

Entrepreneurship with Nexgeninnovators

The Happiness Lab: Strategies and Behaviors that Make You Happy

How are Science and Art Connected
How does Geography Impact Culture and Dance

The Hunger Gap: The Gaps in Food and Housing Insecurity

The Influence of Hip-Hop on the English Language
Make it Work: Simple Machines
MySpace to ChatGPT: How to Live in this Evolving World of Social Media
Social Causes and Protest through Music
Sola: Creating Peace through the Education of Afghan Girls
You Are What You Eat: The Relationship Between Food and Overall Well-Being
Wedding Planning 101: Mastering the Art of Event Planning from Concept to Execution

SKILLS INCUBATOR COURSES 2024-2025

A cappella

Book Buddies

Leadership: Cup Day Planning

Dance and Music

Data Science, AI, and You

Farm 101

Farm 101: Food Lab Plants and Urban Agriculture

Farm 101: What about the beef?

Form 2 Speeches

History of KO

Hunger Gap

The Impact of AI

Jewelry Making

Leadership Lab: In the Neighborhood

Little Libraries

Mamba Mentality

Math in Art, Art in Math

Middle School Musical

Model UN at KO

Pass the Bricks

Science Fair

Social Entrepreneurship

Theater Tech

Think Like an Engineer

Middle school students in the Farm 101 Skills Incubator class recently had an unforgettable experience—visiting Smyth Trinity Dairy Farm as part of their curriculum. Led by their Middle School art teacher, Katherine Nicholson, a passionate farmer herself, this hands-on experience aimed to deepen students’ understanding of where food comes from and the challenges faced by modern agriculture.

For Nicholson, who juggles farm life and teaching, the idea for Farm 101 started from her own personal experiences. Nicholson raises three types of sheep, four beef cows, feeder pigs, and laying hens. She noticed how many students have a disconnect between their everyday meals and the hard work behind the production of food. “We’re moving further and further away from where our food comes from,” she said, noting how easily people assume food will always be available at grocery stores. COVID-19 supply chain disruptions heightened her awareness of the need to educate students on agriculture’s complexities.

Schedule a visit and learn how you can make a difference