Projects-MOONSHOT ACADEMY

"Journey to a Whole New World"

Disciplines/Subjects: Performing Arts Key Themes: The central theme revolves around discovery and transformation. Through the adventures of Aladdin, we explore themes of courage, identity, and the pursuit of dreams. The "Aladdin Medley" is a captivating musical arrangement that draws from key songs in Disney's animated film "Aladdin." The medley includes iconic numbers that tell the story of Aladdin, a street-smart young man who discovers a magical lamp and a wish-granting Genie, leading him on an extraordinary adventure.

Community Handbook - MSA 10KM

Disciplines/Subjects: English Language Arts, Social Science, Geography Key Themes: Expository Writing Community Engagement Local Geography and Environment Civic Responsibility Real-World Application of Writing In this project, students will engage in expository writing to create a comprehensive community handbook for the MSA 10KM area. This area spans from the school campus to a 10km radius. Students will explore the community through activities like walking tours and observations, collecting data on local culture, architecture, and environment. They will then compile this data into a clear, informative guide that can be used by new students, parents, and visitors to understand the community. The project connects writing skills with real-life experiences, demonstrating the value of writing in everyday life. Students will also develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and civic engagement skills, reinforcing their role in contributing to the community.

Capturing the trajectory of movement under slow-motion lenses

Disciplines/Subjects: Health and Sports & Visual Arts Key Themes: Slow motion and movement trajectory. Scientific Research and Artistic Presentation Biomechanical Analysis: Slow-motion footage can be utilized in biomechanical studies to scrutinize muscle activity and force transmission during movements. For instance, when examining the batting trajectory in baseball, slow-motion can capture the muscle contractions and the path of the movement, providing a foundation for scientific training. Data Recording and Analysis: Slow-motion can record detailed data of movements for subsequent analysis and research. For example, in track and field training, it can document an athlete's running posture and stride frequency, assisting coaches in devising more scientific training plans. Visual Effects Presentation: Slow-motion enhances visual effects, enabling students to more intuitively comprehend the physical processes of movements. Display of Action Details: Slow-motion can clearly reveal complex actions and movement trajectories, allowing the audience to appreciate every detail of the action. For example, in action films, slow-motion is often used to showcase stunts and fight scenes, intensifying visual impact. Aesthetic of Movement: Slow-motion can transform ordinary actions into visually appealing experiences with artistic beauty. For example, slow-motion footage of dance or sports movements can highlight the grace and power of motion. Students will take burst photographs of their peers' swinging motion, stitch each frame together in photoshop as a work of chronophotography. Through the process, they will observe the continuous motion of sport and transform it into colorful visual languages.

Fantasy Animals

Disciplines/Subjects: ELA/Visual Arts Key Themes: Animals, Surrealism, Creativity, Hybrid Creatures Learners played Exquisite Corpse to explore surrealism and creativity. They then brainstormed, sketched, and designed their own fantasy animals by combining features from at least three different animals. To prepare for their final artwork, learners participated in a watercolor techniques workshop, practicing wet-on-wet, dry brush, salt texture, and alcohol effects. They applied these techniques to create their fantasy creatures using drawing, watercolor, and ink. As an ELA component, learners wrote aproximately 50-word background stories describing their creatures. Sentence starters, vocabulary prompts, and peer feedback supported their writing. The project concluded with presentations, where learners shared their artwork and stories.

Energy as waves

This project aims to demonstrate that a change in energy will result in a change in wave characteristics. By conducting research, collecting data, and developing a working model, we will analyze how variations in energy impact wave properties such as amplitude, frequency, and wavelength. The students were supposed to submit 2 artifacts and share or present the same to their classmates. 1) Research and data report 2) A working model for data collection

How to enjoy learning

Disciplines/Subjects: Interdisciplinary projects Key Themes: Communication and cooperation, Creative expression, Social Awareness & Community Engagement, empathy This project focuses on the design thinking workshop, through the investigation of students' learning styles and environments in different cultural backgrounds, designs prototypes to solve practical learning problems, tests and iterates, and finally realizes the purpose of "enjoying learning" through students' own efforts. The project is divided into two parts: on-campus workshops and off-campus practice investigations, with design thinking as the main activity in campus and off-campus practice visits to Langde Primary School in Leishan County, Guizhou Province.The children carried out in-depth interaction and communication activities with the same grade students of Langde Primary School.

If it is not Sun Wukong...

Disciplines/Subjects: CLA、Performing Arts、Visual Arts、AI Key Themes: Courage、Creativity、Comparing and contrast、Writing The project is based on the story of Journey to the West and begins with a plea for help from Taibai Jinxing (the Star of the White Tiger). Learners are tasked with assisting Taibai Jinxing in designing the journey to the West for Tang Seng. The first challenge of the project is to select the most reliable eldest disciple to escort Tang Seng through the 81 tribulations and successfully obtain the true scriptures. Learners need to conduct research and compare the suitability of Sun Wukong (the Monkey King), Nezha (the Deity with the Third Eye), and Yang Jian (the Deity with the Third Eye) for this role. Additionally, they must create AI avatars that allow these three characters to interact with people from their own perspectives, thereby helping others better understand their characteristics. After selecting the disciple, learners are required to rewrite the classic episode of Journey to the West titled “The Three Strikes Against the White Bone Spirit” based on the chosen character’s traits. They will then adapt this episode into a screenplay and complete a live-action filming or a prop-based performance.

Projects

Each project is like an adventure journey. As little detectives, we keep asking questions and, with curiosity and courage, try to solve every challenge.