Fall Term Roundup

Our students have been hard at work across disciplines, producing projects that showcase their creativity, critical thinking, and deep engagement with course material. Take a look at some work that demonstrates the incredible range and depth of learning this term!

History & Philosophy

This fall, history courses ranged from US and World History to Advanced Topics in European History, each challenging students to think critically about the past and its relevance today—in cool ways.

Mrs. Zwoyer, for example, piloted a case‑study method in US History, asking students to step into the shoes of historical figures. In one assignment, students wrestled with Martin Luther King Jr.’s dilemma during the Selma campaign, weighing legal, moral, and strategic choices. Saanvi K.’s reflection showed how nonviolent action exposed ongoing disenfranchisement and helped secure voting rights legislation. This process and analysis reminds us that history is about courage and context, not just dates.

In Advanced Topics in European History, Ms. Lemieux designed a final project for Logan B., a competitive equestrian, who traced how horses shaped European life from the 1500s to the mid‑1900s. Logan's work highlights how curiosity and personal passion can transform assignments into powerful learning experiences.

And, finally, in Advanced Topics in Microeconomics, Winnie G. dug into the world of fast fashion, looking closely at Bangladesh’s huge clothing industry. In a presentation, she showed how cheap labor and government support make the country a global powerhouse for brands like Zara and H&M. However, low consumer prices come with big costs. From unsafe working conditions and long hours to pollution and textile waste, her work challenges us to think about how our everyday consumer choices impact individuals and communities alike across the globe. 

Mathematics 

This fall, math was our biggest area of study, with more courses offered than any other discipline. Students tackled everything from pre‑algebra to linear algebra, with plenty of calculus and other courses in between.

This fall, math wasn’t just about numbers—it was about making connections. Mr. Hastings had his Linear Algebra students tackle a unique challenge: using math to analyze the Berlin Airlift. By applying linear algebra to a real‑world event, he showcased how Prestans students don’t just learn content—they learn how to connect ideas across disciplines in ways that spark curiosity, engagement, and even spark a little laughter along the way. If we've piqued your interest, check out a clip of this interdisciplinary approach in action!

Science

In science, middle schoolers investigated energy in everyday life, Biology classes examined ecosystems and genetics, and Physics students tackled advanced questions of motion and forces. Psychology courses added another dimension, inviting students to study how the mind works, from perception to behavior. Across all these disciplines, the focus was on connecting theory with lived experience, seeing how science explains the forces that impact our lives.

Matthew L. did precisely this when he dug into forces at work in our daily lives in an energy scavenger hunt for Science Foundations. He paired definitions with pictures and real scenarios, showing, for example, how a stretched rubber band demonstrates potential energy, how cars in motion capture kinetic energy, and more. His work even mapped out energy transfers, like conduction when touching hot pizza or convection in the atmosphere. In doing so, Matthew made abstract ideas concrete and relatable.

Another memorable project this term was in Environmental Science, a course in which students applied what they learned about sustainability to design their own farms. Scarlett R. imagined a 466‑acre property in Cannes, France, complete with vineyards, lavender fields, and a lake. Her farm emphasizes renewable and efficient energy, water conservation, and soil health, while banning GMOs and chemical pesticides. In this project, Scarlett shows us that ideas we nurture today can help grow solutions and support health in the future.

World Languages

This fall, students immersed themselves in French, Spanish, Latin, and Mandarin, with each course offering unique ways to explore language and culture.

Among these courses, students found inventive ways to bring their learning to life. In Chinese III, for example, Ocea C. wrote a Mandarin comic and used AI to generate images to accompany it. Her story follows two best friends through a weekend of movies, dinner, a sleepover, and then school the next day. It’s a creative demonstration of language skills, and a wonderful case use of AI complementing a student's coursework. 

Writing & Literature

This term, English classes invited students to wrestle with big questions through a wide range of texts—from classics like Hamlet and Kafka's Metamorphosis to contemporary works such as There There and Everything I Never Told You. Across these courses, students explored themes of identity, society, and self‑discovery, while honing their voices as writers and thinkers.

That spirit carried into Power of the Pen, where students read The Little Prince and then crafted children’s stories or poems inspired by its themes. Hailey L. transformed a simple conversation between seagulls into a reflection on discovery, imagination, and the courage to take leaps into the unknown. Just as the assignment intended, her poem asks us to consider: how can one turn the ordinary into the extraordinary?