Books closed, eyes wide open: MDS students get schooled by the world

Every year during the first week of May, Morganton Day School (MDS) students trade their textbooks and laptops for real-world exploration and hands-on learning.

From the rich history of North Carolina’s Outer Banks to the vibrant marine life of the Florida Kays and the rich biodiversity of Costa Rica, these annual excursions offer a unique blend of inquiry-based learning, cultural immersion, and unforgettable experiences that extend far beyond the traditional classroom.

According to the school’s Fundraising and Programs Coordinator Erin Feduke, the trips present students with opportunities to use what they’ve learned throughout the school year and apply it to real-life scenarios.

“Our fifth graders went to the Outer Banks, so they learned about the history of North Carolina and studied different ecosystems,” Feduke said. “Our sixth and seventh graders went to Marine Biology Camp down in the (Florida) Keys, and every year, our eighth graders travel to Costa Rica.”

Feduke explained the transformative experiences reinforce MDS’s commitment to experiential learning, fostering global awareness, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of academic concepts. She said all MDS students receive Spanish instruction, from junior kindergarten (3-year-olds) through eighth grade, when most students are fluent in the language.

COSTA RICAN ADVENTURE

The eighth graders use their dual language skills when they travel to Costa Rica.

A few days after they returned from their adventure, the international travelers were still filled with excitement and wonder and were anxious to share their experiences.

When asked about what each of them will remember most about the adventure, Ethan B. was quick to answer. He loved zip lining through the Costa Rican jungle.

“One of the zip lines was 750-feet long, and it was 400 feet in the air,” he said. “It was super cool and really fast. It went like 60 miles an hour.”

EXOTIC WILDLIFE

Other students mentioned the tropical climate and the exotic wildlife they were able to observe in their natural habitats.

Miles L. agreed that the zip line experience was great, but he also liked the Costa Rican birds.

I’d say my favorite part was seeing all the really colorful birds because, I mean, you can’t see all those colorful birds here every day, so it was kind of really nice and amazing to see those,” he stated. “My favorite was the scarlet macaw. It was like a red parrot with multiple-colored feathers on his back and his wings.

“I’ve only seen pictures of them, and you wonder if they’re real, but we got to see them in a natural habitat,” Miles explained.

The class laughed when they recalled the noise the macaws made.

“They’re these super pretty birds, but they make the loudest and most annoying call ever,” noted Ethan. “It’s just an ugly noise.”

The students also saw howler monkeys, toucans and sloths during the adventure.

“The sloths are super slow, but they’re super good swimmers,” Ethan stated. “They swim a lot faster than they walk, but they only swim when they have to go across the river to find a partner.”

DINNER WITH LOCALS

The MDS eighth graders visited a local school where they used their language skills to interact with local students, and even cooked dinner with a Costa Rican family in their home.

“We made a few different dishes,” said Maddie B. “We learned how to make tortillas from scratch, and we made casados, which is a typical dish there.

“It generally contains some sort of salad, rice, beans, plantains, a protein and sometimes an egg, depending on where you go,” she said.

“And what’s really cool about it is, at different restaurants, they all prepare it differently. Everyone has their own style of it,” added Samantha M.

Other parts of the eighth-grade adventure included hiking through a cloud forest, taking time to experience the biodiversity of the country, and exploring a volcanic city.

The school’s Spanish instructor, Carolina Barbosa, and some students’ parents accompanied the eighth graders on the trip.

IB PHILOSOPHY

These experiential learning opportunities align with MDS’s International Baccalaureate (IB) philosophy, which prioritizes inquiry-based learning and real-world application. By stepping outside the traditional classroom, students cultivate critical thinking skills, global competence, and an enduring love of exploration.

“At Morganton Day School, we believe that the best way for students to understand and appreciate the world is to experience it firsthand,” said Treesie Cape, curriculum coordinator. “Our Special Studies Week encourages students to connect their academic learning with real-world challenges, preparing them to become thoughtful and engaged global citizens.”

Through travel, cultural immersion, and hands-on inquiry, MDS students gain invaluable insights that extend far beyond a single week, school officials said. Special Studies Week is a hallmark of the Morganton Day School experience, reinforcing the school’s dedication to fostering independence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.

For more information about Morganton Day School’s Middle School and its experiential learning programs, visit www.morgantondayschool.com or contact mail@morgantondayschool.com.