Many people in our Crane School community have heard of Q.E.D., our seventh grade capstone project that occurs each spring semester. Last year was the 20th year of this amazing program, but what IS it?
Q.E.D in Latin is “Quod Erat Demonstrandum” which loosely translates into “what was to be demonstrated or proven.” Sometimes we call it “Quests, Explorations, and Discoveries.”
This is an opportunity for a Crane seventh grader to work with an adult mentor outside of school, on any project of their choosing. They aren’t graded on their projects, but they learn many skills as they document their project and create a movie to share with everyone.
Seventh grade is a time of great change and upheaval for most students. Q.E.D. is such a powerful and memorable experience because STUDENTS CHOOSE what interests they would like to try. Perhaps they wish to try out a future career, learn an instrument, develop new hobbies, or dig deeper into something they already are passionate about. Many learn valuable life skills like how to cook, build something, or how to fix an engine. In truth, students pick the most amazing things to study, and they give it their all because they own the process. Additionally, many generous adults give their time and expertise so freely in order for Q.E.D. to happen.
I don’t know about you, but I always prefer being able to choose what I would like to do with my time. I think the power of personal choice is what makes Q.E.D. magical and memorable. So many Crane alumni come back and talk about their seventh grade project and the impact it had on their lives. I know many students who have made career choices influenced by their Q.E.D. projects.
Stay tuned for further announcements about Q.E.D. night which will happen on May 17 this year.
Traci Cope
Librarian