Rye City School District students and teachers showcased a wide range of innovative, student-driven projects during the fourth annual Critical Thinking Expo, held on May 5 in the Rye Middle School gym.
The exhibit featured cardboard animals created by fifth graders as part of a math unit on volume and a ping pong ball run designed during a fifth grade STEM lesson. Rye Middle School students presented music portfolios, science projects and short fiction, while Rye High School students displayed their art portfolios.
“The Critical Thinking Expo provides a meaningful opportunity for students to demonstrate their critical thinking skills and how they apply them within our curriculum to bring learning to life,” Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Lauren Santabarbara said.
Spanning grades K-12, the expo gives younger students the chance to see what older students create, offering inspiration and tangible role models in older peers.
“These skills are central to The Rye Commitment and play a vital role in deepening and enhancing the overall learning experience,” Santabarbara said. “The expo is an important part of how we bring The Rye Commitment to life.”
Teachers volunteer to highlight innovative classroom work designed to strengthen students’ critical thinking skills. Presenting alongside their teachers, the students shared not only what they’ve learned, but also the process behind the learning.