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Now Accepting Applications for SY25-26. Round 2 is open and applications will be accepted until March 1, 2025.
Overview
Quest units stress skill acquisition through collaborative interdisciplinary projects. Students work with the Quest teacher advisors, supervisors during their partnership, and a professional mentor on their student-driven study (SDS). The year-long SDS culminates in a thesis paper, talk, and defense. Exploration of Southeast Asian topics through systems thinking and design thinking protocols will inspire need-finding and challenge students to take civic action engaging with school, community, and global networks to contribute to the worldwide community. Throughout the year, students hone skills in time management, project organization, and learning aspirations such as critical thinking, creativity, cultural curiosity, and communication, all of which are essential skills for their future. Students in Quest experience the workplace in scaffolded partnerships while working with experts in industries, universities, and NGOs. The Quest experience can differentiate students from their peers in the college application process. Finally, Quest aligns with the SAS calendar to ensure students may participate in extracurricular programs.
Quest students will begin the year with a Launch trip. Click here to learn more about the Quest Launch trip experience.
The (approximately) eight-day trip will build the Quest community of learners and serve as a launching point for learning throughout the year. Students will engage in team-building activities, outdoor education, and experiential learning. They will also engage in the scientific investigation of tropical biodiversity and be exposed to the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Please note that any launch trip is dependent upon prevailing travel restrictions.
Quest Daily Schedule
Quest Daily Schedule
Students in Quest will schedule their particular time around the Quest community times, their eleven-week partnership, and their selected courses. Throughout the day, Quest teachers (advisors) meet with students individually, in small groups, and conduct traditional lessons. The Quest community also engages in regular off-campus learning experiences. Throughout units, continual individual feedback is provided to ensure students meet expectations and discover strategies that work best to be responsible for their learning. Each student will have the flexibility and accountability to plan their time as needed with the constant support of the Quest advisors.
Semester 1
Semester 1
Unit ONE: Explore: Self & Community
Unit ONE: Explore: Self & Community
Driving Question:
How does my identity influence my relationship with the natural world?
Driving Question:
How does my identity influence my relationship with the natural world?
Unit Overview:
In this Quest unit, students will critically examine their own positionality and intersectionality. The main focus of this unit is coming to an understanding of their own identity and a collective understanding of our community, as defined by the students. Students will study their community as it currently stands, and consider ways they might be able to make a positive contribution. Students will begin to prepare for their external partnerships and explore and plan for ways in which they will contribute meaningfully to the community through scholarly research and work throughout the year.
During the Quest Launch Experience, students will be exposed to experiential learning and Singapore’s cultural and natural heritage. Once the school year begins, students will learn through various hands-on activities, including Socratic discussions, fieldwork, and producing a culminating project to answer the unit’s driving question. Students will analyze the local community using the sustainability compass as a framework.
In addition, students will gear up for the World of Work unit by preparing their resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn account. They will also prepare and practice their interviewing and networking skills.
Book Studies During Unit 1:
Atomic Habits, by James Clear
We will also do some follow-up discussion on the summer reading, Life Scale by Brian Solis
Culminating Unit Assessment:
SAS Biodiversity Analytical Report
SAS Regeneration Project Pitch (presentation)
Unit 1 Blog Post (two themes to choose from)
Unit TWO: World of Work
Unit TWO: World of Work
Driving Question:
How might I critically examine my community and make a meaningful contribution to it?
Unit Overview:
During this unit, students will partner with local organizations and engage in authentic work. Students may also participate in networking events and begin curating their professional identities. At the conclusion of the Partnerships experience, students will synthesize their learnings and reflection from their work experience and present it at the Partnership Capstone Showcase.
Unit Two Book Study: Life Scale, Brian Solis
Culminating Unit Assessment:
World of Work Analytical Report
Partnership Capstone Showcase
Life Scale Book Study Final Reflection
Final Partnership Blog Post
Semester 2
Semester 2
Unit THREE: The Future WE CHOOSE
Unit THREE: The Future WE CHOOSE
Driving Question: What kind of future will we choose to create?
Overview:
Throughout the year, Quest students will have honed their knowledge and skills to be able to understand various issues at the local, regional, and global scale. Armed with these skills and understanding, this unit looks to the future. By hearing from a variety of experts in different industries and going on field trips, students will be exposed to many different ideas and perspectives, innovative solutions that will be part of our collective futures. Students will then apply what they learn to be able to share their own vision of the future.
Book Studies During Unit 3:
The Future We Choose by Chrina Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac (we will read the first few chapters and the last two chapters)
Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans
The Power of Meaning by Emily Esfahani Smith
Culminating Unit Assessments:
“The Future as it Should Be” Group Consultancy Project Pitch (Presentation)
Consultancy Project - Publishing (student choice)
Designing Your Life - Personal Project
Unit FOUR: The student driven study (SDS)
Unit FOUR: The student driven study (SDS)
Driving Question: Students’ SDS research questions
Driving Question: Students’ SDS research questions
Unit Overview:
The Student-Driven Study (SDS) is the culminating project developed throughout the year in the Quest English course. The purpose of this unit is to give students time to complete their student-driven studies. The SDS will challenge students to demonstrate their academic knowledge in a way that mirrors the real world. It will also allow them to immerse themselves in topics that are of their personal interest while developing their analytic, research, problem solving, collaboration, and communication skills. During this unit, students will focus on finishing their SDS. They will finish the data collection process and move onto data analysis. Students will write the final chapter (discussion and conclusion) and prepare their paper for submission. They will also prepare for and deliver their final presentation or oral defense.
Research Resource Text:
Research Dessign by Creswell and Creswell
Book Study During Unit 4:
Why We Act by Catherine Sanderson
In addition, students will also have an opportunity to reflect on their personal growth from a year in Quest.
Culminating Unit Assessments:
Final SDS paper
Thesis Talk presentation (AP Research: Oral Defense)
OPTIONAL Next Steps For High-Quality Studies: Pursue having your study published
“My Quest Experience” Capstone Video
OPTIONAL End-Of Year Assessment: “My Impact on the World” Reflection
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