Some students call it passion projects, some are curiosity quests, but these projects are what The Immersive 9 calls hand-on learning experiences. Our teachers find ways to make sure learning content and standards are hands-on, fun, and challenge students mentally and help students learn how to work together in teams and partnerships.
Empower Hour is a student-driven learning experience where gifted learners explore their passions, ask big questions, and create meaningful projects that matter to them. During this time, students take ownership of their learning by choosing topics, designing projects, and solving real problems through research, creativity, and collaboration.
This is more than a project — it’s where students build independence, confidence, and critical thinking skills as they share their learning in powerful, creative ways
Empower Hour is a student-driven learning experience where gifted learners explore their passions, ask big questions, and create meaningful projects that matter to them. During this time, students take ownership of their learning by choosing topics, designing projects, and solving real problems through research, creativity, and collaboration.
This is more than a project — it’s where students build independence, confidence, and critical thinking skills as they share their learning in powerful, creative ways.
During this time, students:
Choose a topic they are passionate about
Plan and develop their own project
Research, create, and problem-solve
Share their learning in meaningful ways
But it’s more than just a project.
Empower Hour helps students grow as learners by developing:
Self-advocacy
Independence
Critical and creative thinking
Confidence in their ideas and voice
You might see students designing solutions, creating presentations, building models, or even leading their own mini “TED Talks.”
As a school, we are committed to creating learning experiences that go beyond worksheets—where students feel seen, challenged, and inspired. Empower Hour is one of the ways we bring that vision to life.
Did you know our Roadrunner News Network is 100% student-run?
From start to finish, our students take full ownership of creating each broadcast — researching, writing, filming, and editing to keep our campus informed and connected. Students apply for roles and work together as a real production team to bring the news to life.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look:
Script writers research and create the teleprompter scripts
News anchors collaborate to write and deliver segments
Reporters interview students and capture stories from around campus
Directors and reporters work together to plan meaningful content
Editors splice and put all the pieces together
Camera crew films each segment for the final production
Each broadcast is then shared with classrooms so students can stay connected to campus happenings—everything from events and lunch updates to celebrating staff and standout students!
Our Makerspace has been buzzing with creativity and innovation!
Students have been designing, building, and exploring hands-on projects that challenge them to think like engineers and problem-solvers. Ask any child what they’ve created — you might be amazed by their ideas and discoveries!
Our Makerspace has been full of creativity, problem-solving, and innovation!
Throughout the year, students have engaged in hands-on projects that challenged them to think like engineers, designers, and inventors. From building and testing their own creations to exploring how things work, our students have truly taken ownership of their learning.
Some highlights from our Makerspace experiences:
Designing and building with everyday materials
Exploring circuits and electricity through interactive creations
Creating instruments and projects that connect science and creativity
Engineering, testing, and improving designs through real-world challenges
In every project, students are:
Asking questions and solving problems
Collaborating and sharing ideas
Learning from mistakes and improving designs
Bringing imagination to life
Makerspace is more than just building — it’s about developing confidence, creativity, and a mindset that says, “I can figure this out.”
When our 3rd and 4th graders teamed up with gifted Connolly Middle School ASPIRE Chief STEM Officers, learning truly took off — literally! Together, students explored STEM concepts and engineered their own stomp rockets, combining creativity, problem-solving, and real-world application. We’re so proud of the leadership from our middle schoolers and the innovation from our younger students!
Our younger students:
Designed and built their own rockets
Tested and improved their designs
Recorded and observed their launch landings
Meanwhile, our middle school students:
Led hands-on lessons
Modeled leadership and collaboration
Inspired the next generation of innovators
This powerful partnership gave students the chance to learn from one another, think like engineers, and experience STEM in an exciting, real-world way.
Makey Makey is an invention kit that turns everyday conductive objects — like bananas, playdough, or even graphite pencils — into touchpads that act as keyboard or mouse inputs. Using a small circuit board, USB cable, and alligator clips, students create closed-loop electrical circuits that allow them to play games, make music, and design interactive projects — no coding or soldering required!
Learning in action:
3rd Grade: Students explored the basics of the engineering design process by designing and building their own musical instruments using cardboard and conductive materials.
4th Grade: Students investigated circuits and the fundamentals of electricity, then applied their learning to engineer their own custom game controllers!
Students think creatively, solve problems, and bring their ideas to life through hands-on innovation.
