For fifth and sixth graders at Rohan Woods, the school year begins with a real adventure. Each September, the independent, coeducational elementary school takes its older students on a science excursion. The trip is designed to let them flex their leadership muscles, bond with their classmates and tackle hands-on, immersive lessons in STEM subjects. It’s a vital part of Rohan Woods’ innovative learning initiative called Project Approach, which allows students to creatively solve problems while developing fundamental skills.
For 2026, the students visited the Huntsman Marine Science Centre at the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick, Canada. The trip allowed the fifth and sixth grade classes to tap into their interests in marine science and more. “The Bay of Fundy is such a unique environment—many of our students have never experienced anything like it,” head of school Sam Templin-Page notes. While on the excursion, students had the opportunity to engage in a variety of scientific activities. These included studying marine life and conducting experiments on the water temperature and depth of the bay, with the information gathered directly supporting important research at the science center.
The science excursion not only helps students learn more about STEM subjects. The experience also encourages them to build important skills like decision making, communication and adaptability. “Scientific exploration requires collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving,” Templin-Page says. “The excursion plays a vital role in helping students develop critical leadership skills, allowing them to exercise them outside of the classroom. This reinforces what they are capable of when not in school. Rohan Woods students are confident in their abilities beyond the traditional educational environment.”
The experience is meant to complement the school’s challenging curriculum and Project Approach. The educational philosophy is centered on engaging students’ interests in real world topics and motivating them to take an active role in their own learning. In small groups, students work on an in-depth investigation, researching the topic of their choice and developing a project. “It’s a hands-on learning technique that inspires students to engage with real problems and come up with solutions,” Templin-Page explains. “Each project is a unique way for students to think about what they have learned and share it in an authentic and meaningful way.”
At Rohan Woods, education is not only about academic knowledge. The curriculum promotes creativity and critical thinking while sparking students’ interest in learning. Experiences like the visit to the Huntsman Marine Science Centre are just one piece of a much larger puzzle. “Our goal is to ensure students are successful in their next steps, and that means our focus is on developing the whole child,” Templin-Page says. “Rohan Woods students are not only academically ready for secondary school and beyond, they are self-reliant, confident and creative leaders.”
Serving students age 2 through grade six, Rohan Woods School is dedicated to providing a challenging curriculum centered on Project Approach learning. Pictured on the cover: Students on a science excursion in New Brunswick, Canada. For more information, call 314.821.6270 or visit rohanwoods.org.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo courtesy of Rohan Woods School
Pictured at the top: Students engage in hands-on learning on a science excursion.
Photo courtesy of Rohan Woods School