When it came time to develop a framework for our curriculum, it quickly became apparent that a flexible approach would be needed to encompass the full spectrum of learning opportunities we wanted the school to provide. The solution was to adopt a multi-tiered curriculum in which class structure varies depending on the nature of the class and the goals of both teachers and learners. Fittingly, it was nature that provided a template in the form of the four principle states of matter:
Solid and Liquid classes are our scheduled curriculum, and gas classes, equally as beloved, are taught by students and staff. At SotA, we hold space for everyone to hold every role, with teachers and staff attending classes, students teaching gas classes, and everyone performing work service.
Solid Classes are based in sequential learning, most like a traditional class structure. Students will be encouraged to attend all classes; each class builds on the last.
Liquid Classes function as a series of workshops, so each session should be able to stand alone. Students are welcome to attend a different Liquid class each day, or to stick with the same one all week.
Gas Classes are pop-up classes taught by students and staff - held outside of scheduled class time. Gas classes are an opportunity for students to teach what they know and love: from making Kimchi to embroidery to screen printing to how to make the perfect cup of coffee, think of Gas Classes as communal skillshare.
