Why We Use the Harkness Method

“When we arrive at the Harkness table, everyone’s voice is heard and this is what I love the most about Harkness.” - Caroline Chen ’21 At Lakefield, we have used the Harkness Method for years. Related to the Socratic Method, Harkness discussions involve loosely structured group conversations about course material and concepts. At Lakefield College School, our Grade 9 and 10 students are often led by their teachers, who provide questions to guide discussion and learning. By Grade 11 and 12, students create their own inferential and applied questions to drive the discussion. The Harkness Method is not focussed on a “right” or “wrong” way of learning or understanding material; it is a powerful exercise in collaboration and self-expression. During a Harkness discussion, our teachers take an observatory approach. Students lead the discussion themselves, asking each other questions, and prompting new avenues of inquiry.  The Harkness Method is a powerful…

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Important Things You’ll Learn in “From Seed to Table: Adventures in Eco-Farming”

From Seed to Table: Adventures in Eco-Farming provides high school students with the opportunity to learn about food production and eco-farming through hands-on adventures at our school garden. Students will plant, nurture, and harvest greens, root vegetables, and more, learning first-hand about the business of running a farm, the value of sustainability, and the joy of preparing and consuming food that they have grown. In the morning, students will work together, developing their collaborative skills to complete projects at the garden. In the afternoon, they will build and foster friendships with their peers while enjoying fun activities at our waterfront. Regenerative Farming Techniques This course is designed to connect youth to regenerative food systems through hands-on, experiential practice using regenerative farming techniques, such as composting, increasing crop diversity, and organic annual cropping. Learning about regenerative farming is not only important for those interested in a career in agriculture. It’s imperative for all students…

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The LCS Global Ideas Institute Team Tackles Digital Safety

  On Friday, April 23, 2021, Halle Lawson ’21, Caroline Chen ’21, Branton Hung ’21, Dylan Clement ’21, Yeseo Kim ’22, and Emilia Volke ’21 pitched their solution to the question: “How can we bolster the digital safety of marginalized communities?” at the Global Ideas Initiative (GII) Virtual Symposium. In consultation with industry professionals, the students worked together for months to create an innovative, forward-thinking response to this issue. Read their full pitch below.  How can we bolster the safety of marginalized communities? Today, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our kitchen tables have become home offices and bedrooms are classrooms. COVID has made remote work and study facts of life. In a society filled with technology, students without access to the highest quality of cyber knowledge or security are being left behind. Schools in lower socioeconomic areas are unable to give their students this necessary education. This lack of education…

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