Pursuits

Pursuits are a signature part of the Primer experience. They give students the opportunity to apply what they are learning through hands-on, project-based experiences that connect classroom learning to the world around them.

Instead of only reading about a topic, students learn by creating, designing, building, investigating, and solving problems. Every Pursuit is designed with a clear learning goal that encourages students to think critically, collaborate with others, and demonstrate their understanding in authentic ways.

Students spend part of each day building strong foundations in literacy and math. During Pursuits, they put those skills into practice through projects that encourage curiosity, creativity, and exploration.

A Pursuit might ask students to:

• Build a solar oven while learning about heat and energy
• Explore a historical event through a mock trial
• Design a solution to a real-world challenge
• Create a podcast, presentation, or other original project
• Research a topic that interests them and share what they discover

No two Pursuits are exactly alike. Depending on the project, students may work with classmates, conduct experiments, build prototypes, interview experts, or present their work to an audience.

Along the way, students strengthen skills that will serve them well throughout school and beyond, including critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, communication, project planning, and independence. Just as importantly, they learn how to persevere through challenges, explain their thinking, and take pride in their work.

All students participate in Studio Pursuits, which bring subjects like science, social studies, and civics to life through collaborative, hands-on learning.

Students in grades 6 through 8 may also participate in Independent Pursuits, giving them the opportunity to explore a personal interest in greater depth. With support from a mentor, students can build a new skill, investigate a question, or complete a long-term project in areas such as coding, entrepreneurship, design, podcasting, history, finance, and many other topics.

Pursuits are not an extra activity or enrichment program. They are an important part of the academic experience at Primer and the primary way students explore science, social studies, and civics while naturally integrating literacy, math, technology, and the arts.

By actively creating, exploring, and solving problems, students develop a deeper understanding of what they are learning. More importantly, they begin to see themselves as curious learners, confident problem solvers, and independent thinkers who are excited to keep learning.