Experiential Anchor Projects

The La Paz Anchor Projects: Enriching the Experiential Learning at La Paz

All La Paz students in grades k-12 participate in a yearlong consistent interaction with their school and community through a variety of anchor and service learning projects that are grade specific. Students focus at least one block per week on one particular experiential learning focus that is geared towards service learning. Through the study of Energy Flows, Nutrient Cycles, and Community Dynamics, La Paz students gain a profound understanding of their immediate school community and its complex relationship with their family, community, and world; thus transforming the self into a lifelong learner and active service oriented citizen.

Empatía animal.

Inspiring young minds to develop a greater appreciation for their natural world is a primary focus of the Kinder – 2nd grade Anchor Projects. Through the implementation of ecobricks, composting, recycling, in addition to the Kindergarten collaborations with the local veterinarians and wildlife conservation initiatives, students work together to make scientific observations and learn to care for their world while getting their hands dirty.

Huerta de Amor y Paz

Huerta de Amor y Paz is the anchor project for kindergarten and first grade students. It consists of creating a vegetable garden that grows easily in our campus of La Paz Cabo Velas. The products from this Anchor project will be offered for sale at the La Paz fair, as well as to students, teachers and other members of the community. Huerta La Paz will allow students to learn various concepts and skills, including science topics such as the cycle of life and many others.

Plantas de Paz.

Plantas de Paz is the anchor project for second and third grade students. It consists of planting and caring for succulent plants of different species. These plants will be promoted as Plants of Peace, and the characteristics and benefits of these and other plants for humans will be studied. The project will be used to teach students various concepts and skills such as:

Spanish: Vocabulary. How to write words. Scientific names.
Science: Fossils and paleontology.
Social Studies: Indigenous artifacts, benefits of plants, yarn, dyes.
English: Vocabulary.
Science (Origins) Agriculture.
Mathematics: Financial, measurements, costs, spaces.

Life Plants.

Life Plants is the anchor project for fourth year students. It consists of planting native medicinal species in different green areas on campus throughout the school. The plants will be labeled and marked to identify both the names (scientific and common) and the fact that they are the product of the 4th year anchor project. The goal is to reforest the campus with species of great relevance not only to humans, but also to local wildlife. With this anchor project, students will be able to learn various topics related to science, mathematics, vocabulary, environment and others. In addition, students will be able to develop various skills such as teamwork, gardening, leadership, business and more.

Proyecto Compost.

Project Compost is the anchor project for fifth grade students. It consists of taking advantage of organic matter, which would otherwise be garbage, to produce compost. This project seeks to provide better management and use of organic waste at Escuela La Paz. The compost can be sold to other Anchor projects, as well as to members of the community. This project will apply knowledge from different subjects, including Science and Mathematics. Students will be able to develop and learn skills and knowledge such as leadership, teamwork, responsibility, measurements, research, among others.

Huevos con Amor.

Huevos con Amor is the anchor project for the sixth grade students. It consists of a chicken coop in which good, healthy and stress-free living conditions are provided for the laying hens that inhabit it. Huevos con amor is a project already established and known by students and teachers in La Paz. The 6th graders are in charge of the operation and they treat the hens and eggs with love. The eggs are sold to students, teachers and members of the La Paz school community.

RAC.

RAC is the anchor project for seventh grade students. RAC is an acronym that stands for Recycle (4R’s), Help (in Spanish; Ayudar) and Create. It consists of collecting materials, at Escuela La Paz, that can be reused or recycled. These materials are then followed up, either to be processed as recycling, or for reuse and creation of handicrafts (which can then be sold).

On the creating side, RAC creates positive impact change by conducting trash pickups on the beach and parks.

On the Helping side, students learn values such as empathy, equality, commitment and action by helping causes such as poverty, homelessness, food, flooding and others.

Guanaplants.

Guanaplants is the anchor project for eighth grade students. It consists of the creation of a plant nursery in a reused container. Each student will be responsible for a container in which the student will sow/plant plants, and will give them the proper follow-up and maintenance. When the seeds germinate, and the seedlings are ready to be transplanted, they are transferred to empty biodegradable coconuts that will serve as pots. These plants will be sold within the La Paz school and to members of the community. The students will gain various skills such as leadership, teamwork, and practical knowledge mainly from the subject of science.

Banco La Paz.

Banco La Paz is the Anchor project for the ninth grade students in Chirripó. It consists of the administration and offering of financial products. Its basic services consist of granting loans to students who require them, as well as collecting money for term savings. This project financially supports both individual students and other ANCHOR, LEEP & CAS projects to develop their activities. In addition, Banco La Paz is the place where students learn about personal finance and share the knowledge with other classes through financial education activities.

Snack Shack.

The Snack Shack is an Anchor project for the tenth grade students in Chirripó. It consists of a convenience store. Among the products offered at the Snack Shack are juices, chips, cookies, ice cream and nutritional bars and packets. Through the Snack Shack, students acquire business management knowledge and skills such as effective communication, leadership, respect, responsibility, planning, and other skills related to their functional areas (finance, operations, marketing, information technology, and others).

The objectives of the Snack Shack are:

Satisfy our customers with excellent service and their favorite products.
To provide healthier and more nutritious product alternatives to promote good energy and health for our customers.
To gain experience and knowledge on how to manage a business and its resources.

The Snack Shack is open every school day from 10am to 10:15am, 12pm to 12:15pm and 3pm to 3:08pm.

Creativity, Action, Service (from the 9th-12 grade program of studies)

Students engage in individual, personalized 2 year projects that aim to foster: creative thinking where students explore their own sense of original thinking and expression; action where students utilize physical exertion that contributes to a healthy lifestyle to promote lifelong habits of well-being; and service where students understand their capacity to make a meaningful contribution in their community and society while developing social skills in real life situations that involve decision-making, problem solving, initiative, responsibility, and accountability for their actions. CAS also focuses on meaningful reflection during the process of creating and implementing the project. (more information)

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