Learning literally comes to life at the annual “Wesley Prep Night At The Museum” event.  Using project-based learning strategies, students in the third through sixth grades showcase how Wesley Prep brings real-world relevance to grade-appropriate curriculum in an active and meaningful way.

Wesley Prep’s third grade students present “The Simple Machine Fair” featuring games they have imagined, built and tested using simple machines such as the wedge, lever, screw, pulley, wheel and axel. Visitors to the exhibit experience games such as “Artic Bowling” and “San Francisco Drag Race”, each of which incorporates at least two simple machines.

Students in Wesley Prep’s fourth grade learn that “Electricity Is Electrifying” through inquiry-based, hands-on investigations with electricity. After learning to build series and parallel circuits, and simple switches, the students construct and build cardboard houses with multiple rooms and multiple circuits.  These houses are on display, in addition to Question and Answer Hidden Circuit Boards, students have built, that exhibit-goers can test at the event.

Wesley Prep’s fifth grade students transform into historical figures from American History in the “Wax Museum.”  After six weeks of research and immersion into a historical figure of their choice, each student selects an event in their person’s career and writes and performs a speech, using actual quotes and authentic dress, to bring their character to life.  Exhibit-goers meet and interact with historical figures such as Stonewall Jackson and Annie Oakley.

It all comes together in sixth grade as Wesley Prep students create “Robotics Alley” where their math, science and engineering studies culminate into the design, programming and construction of award-winning robots.  Exhibit-goers can watch first-hand as sixth graders direct their robots to complete multiple obstacles and tasks on official competition team tables. Students and their robots also compete in the nationally-recognized First Lego League Robotics Competition.  Through this robotics adventure, our sixth graders become knowledgeable in engineering and confident in their abilities to work as a team, as together they realize success.