Grade 6 Hosts World Summit Café
Sixth grade students took parents and guests on a trip through uniquely created worlds during the World Summit Café on Monday, May 12, at IDEA Space.
The showcase was the conclusion of an interdisciplinary unit that used “The Hobbit” as a starting point to combine English, social studies, geography, math, science and STEAM learning for memorable, project-based learning. Drawing inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien’s richly imagined Middle-earth, students constructed their own fictional nations, complete with detailed governmental structures, natural landscapes and cultural identities.
Throughout the unit, students were asked to answer a guiding question: "How do we build bridges between unique worlds?" To answer it, they explored the foundations of government systems, ultimately deciding how their own nations would be governed. These systems were then introduced through presentations during the World Summit Café, where students practiced diplomacy and discussion as they shared their countries with visiting families, faculty and invited government representatives. Each presentation reflected their understanding of how governance impacts global relations, economic stability and society.
The curriculum integration was further demonstrated through student-created maps that highlighted terrain features, climates and political boundaries, showcasing geography skills. In science and STEAM, students designed periodic tables and elements unique to their worlds, reinforcing their understanding of chemistry and how resources affect economic and technological development. These fictional elements often connected directly to the geographic advantages or challenges of each country.
To bring their nations to life, students compiled travel magazines promoting tourism, cultural attractions and natural resources. They blended persuasive writing, graphic design and research into professional-looking publications. These magazines demonstrated how creativity and communication are important applications of STEAM-based learning.
Conceived, created and led by the sixth grade faculty and educators at IDEA Space, this interdisciplinary approach transformed learning into a deeply immersive, collaborative experience—one that empowered students to think critically and creatively while building real-world skills in communication, innovation, problem solving and civic understanding.
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Throughout the unit, students were asked to answer a guiding question: "How do we build bridges between unique worlds?" To answer it, they explored the foundations of government systems, ultimately deciding how their own nations would be governed. These systems were then introduced through presentations during the World Summit Café, where students practiced diplomacy and discussion as they shared their countries with visiting families, faculty and invited government representatives. Each presentation reflected their understanding of how governance impacts global relations, economic stability and society.
The curriculum integration was further demonstrated through student-created maps that highlighted terrain features, climates and political boundaries, showcasing geography skills. In science and STEAM, students designed periodic tables and elements unique to their worlds, reinforcing their understanding of chemistry and how resources affect economic and technological development. These fictional elements often connected directly to the geographic advantages or challenges of each country.
To bring their nations to life, students compiled travel magazines promoting tourism, cultural attractions and natural resources. They blended persuasive writing, graphic design and research into professional-looking publications. These magazines demonstrated how creativity and communication are important applications of STEAM-based learning.
Conceived, created and led by the sixth grade faculty and educators at IDEA Space, this interdisciplinary approach transformed learning into a deeply immersive, collaborative experience—one that empowered students to think critically and creatively while building real-world skills in communication, innovation, problem solving and civic understanding.
