If you’ve visited campus recently, you may have seen the newest Earth Loom installation, a hanging habitat made from recycled two-liter bottles. In a unique collaboration first grade students shared their knowledge of plants while second grade students provided insight on the world of insects in order to create a plant and insect habitat in each re-purposed plastic bottle. (Many of the habitats have even survived the recent winter weather!) A special thanks to Lower School art instructor Tina Hirsig, and Lower School science faculty members, Beth McCarty and Elizabeth Flowers. This is a wonderful example of collaboration across classes and disciplines. PQV to all!

Welcome to Her World: Exploring Math & Science at Ashley Hall

Wednesday, November 15
6:00pm – 8:00pm

The Ashley Hall Bee Society is buzzing on campus. Begun five years ago with one Bee Cause observation hive installed in the Lower School Science Lab, the bee program now expands through the Upper School curriculum with rooftop Langstroth hives (a wood hive built in a frame for easy bee and honey removal) being explored daily by students of all ages. It is a signature component of Ashley Hall’s science program giving the girls a “hands on” experiential learning opportunity to connect with the natural world and understand the bee’s critical impact on the ecosystem.

Learn more about the Bee Society and our science and math programs at Welcome to Her World. In this special evening program designed for parents across all divisions, Ashley Hall will share how our Learning Spiral is being fully realized in the areas of math and science. Specifically, the manner in which classroom activities and experiential opportunities are sequenced in order to foster not just content mastery but also the acquisition of vital skills and habits of mind will be shared. Participants will have the opportunity to experience first hand some of the important work students are doing and to get a glimpse of what might be ahead as they progress through other grades and divisions. Prospective families are welcome!

To make your reservation: email [email protected].

Please enter campus through the Smith Street Gate at 133 Smith Street. Ample parking is available in the lot across from the Smith Street Gate. Students are more than welcome to attend, but this event is designed for parents.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The Ashley Hall Bee Program continues to buzz. Begun four years ago with one Bee Cause observation hive installed in the Pardue Hall Science Lab, the Bee Program now expands through the Upper School curriculum with rooftop Langstroth hives (a wood hive built in a frame for easy bee and honey removal) being explored daily by students of all ages. It is a signature component of Ashley Hall’s science program giving the girls a “hands on” experiential learning opportunity to connect with the natural world and understand the bee’s critical impact on the ecosystem.

With a desire to start the program with the younger children, Ms. Flowers and the Lower School Bee Club took the helm, and a new Bee Cause hive was recently installed in the Ross Early Education Center. “This is a terrific Reggio Emilia tool,” shares Early Education Center Director Dana VanHook, “and the Lower School girls taking the initiative on installation made the opportunity perfect. The younger children are thrilled to now have a hive to explore and respond to.” Now to share some bee hive love with the Intermediate Program…stay tuned girls!

Ashley Hall fifth graders are working with the Lowcountry Maritime Society (LMS) on a unique STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) project. LMS staff come to campus weekly to work with the girls on creating their own fleet of wooden boats. The girls are guided through the process of learning how to read scaled plans and transform those plans into a wooden boat they build themselves. Throughout the semester students are also taught about local maritime history and seamanship skills. Research shows that girls decide as early as fifth grade if they will consider careers in the areas of math and science. Ashley Hall understands the importance of STEAM related programming as it relates to an all-girls’ education.

Lower School Art Teacher, Tina Hirsig, and Kristen Callahan, Director of Technology, Innovation and Education have teamed together to create several dedicated “tinkering” spaces around campus which feature unique collaborative installations. Tina and Kristen believe that shaping and reshaping the world around us through the process of creative play promotes, supports and fosters critical thinking, curiosity, collaboration, problem-solving, exploration, and self discovery.

Each installation—Earth Loom, Lego Wall, and Chalkboard Wall—incorporates our school  Hallmarks: Worldly, Compassionate, Discerning, Creative, Intelligent, Purposeful, Collaborative which serve as guiding principles. Teachers bring their disciplinary knowledge to the installation in order to expand and elaborate on their curriculum. These spaces serve as an incubator for new ideas with emphasis on what is already being taught in the classroom. These interactive installations have the potential to extend what students are learning academically, socially, and/or creatively.

Kindergarten students recently used their sea turtle knowledge while visiting the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Hospital. Each student chose one turtle to research and create an observational drawing. The students presented Kelly Thorvalson, from the sea turtle hospital, with $1,124 that the students raised from their bake sale!