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Liberty Peak students showcase 'Liberty Learning' projects to school board
Summary
Fourth‑ and fifth‑grade students from Liberty Peak Elementary described hands‑on, project‑based classes — from Morse code and hydroponics to a student‑run newspaper — that the school has run under a district 'Liberty Learning' pilot program.
Liberty Peak Elementary presented a student demonstration of “Liberty Learning,” a three‑year pilot of project‑based learning the school’s teachers developed to expand student choice and competency work tied to the Nevada Portrait of a Learner.
Principal or administrator Chris Steensen (spoke from the dais) told the trustees the program began three years ago and focused on the state competency area of “impact” — asking fourth‑ and fifth‑graders to think “Who am I and how will I contribute?” He said staff created scheduled class rotations so every fourth and fifth grader could choose quarterly electives emphasizing real‑world skills.
Why it matters: the program moves the district toward student ownership of learning by offering electives that incorporate reading, writing, speaking and workplace skills into authentic projects. Teachers and students said the goal is to “trick” students into practicing academic skills through hands‑on activities.
Students and staff described a wide range of elective classes: ‘‘Zombie Prep 101’’ (crochet, Morse code, non‑tech survival skills), “Eating Around the World” (student‑run food businesses and a partnership with local food vendors), hydroponics and agriculture projects (students built shelving and pumps), a school newspaper, student senate leadership roles, lifetime‑skills outdoor units and service projects that donated cards and supplies to local long‑term care facilities and animal shelters.
Fourth‑grader Kaden (student presenter) demonstrated a homemade Morse code reader and told the board: “We have dots and dashes, and we have the alphabet. And then we haven't got to the numbers yet because some of the numbers are harder.” Tinley Gilliland, another student in “Zombie Prep 101,” said crocheting “helps when you're stressed” and is “really relaxing.” Kai, a student in the cooking class, said his team created “Beetlejuice Express” and sold cupcakes after learning business planning with Miner's Java.
Teachers credited several staff members for launching and expanding the work, naming Miss Blanchard as an early leader and citing Jessica Thomas, Amber Trageda, Carrie Pollard, Shannon Porter and Desiree Tillger among contributors. The presentation also highlighted community involvement: a custodian with a ham radio license demonstrated Morse code to students; Miner's Java discussed food truck business planning; and parents joined outdoor field trips to teach fishing and fire safety.
Board members applauded the students’ presentations. Trustee Josh said the program offered “very creative” opportunities and noted the potential to expand some elements, while board President Matt McCarty suggested careful, phased growth so the program doesn’t “spread ourselves too thin.”
Ending note: The Liberty Learning demonstration provided trustees a visible example of student‑driven, competency‑based, project learning in the district; staff said they plan to continue the quarterly rotation model and explore gradual expansion to third grade and partnerships with high‑school volunteers.
