K-12 students in the Gifted program at University View Academy (UVA) collaborated on a year-long research project in a special class. They researched the famous Lascaux cave paintings, with the course culminating in an on-campus museum exhibit curated by the students.
The exhibit included cave dioramas, a gift shop of student art, and an inflatable walk-through cave experience with art on the walls. When the big day came, students were entirely in charge. They checked in guests, managed the gift shop, and gave tours of the cave and other exhibits.
The incredible museum had a year’s worth of hard work behind it. Throughout the process, students strengthened their research, teamwork, critical thinking, and presentation skills. Each student explored the various aspects of curating a museum exhibit, driven by individual areas of interest. While teachers provided lessons about Lascaux and an overview of the various elements that would need to be part of the museum, the research and development were executed entirely by students.
“I loved working directly with the students as they crafted their exhibit artifacts,” said UVA K-5 Gifted Enrichment teacher Sheryl Waltman. “I saw my role as a supportive partner in this journey and enjoyed assisting however I could. Through informal chats about the Lascaux Cave Art, I helped them appreciate the ingenuity of prehistoric creators.”
Some students painted the artwork. Others designed the museum brochure. One student even used an online digital audio tool to create the ambience playlist for the exhibit. Charles Steele, a senior who spearheaded the design and construction of the inflatable cave, changed his planned college major from computer science to mechatronics after discovering a passion for engineering.
“My experience with the Gifted program at UVA has been amazing,” Steele said. “It’s helped me learn more about interesting topics not covered in normal classes such as ciphers or code text. It opened the opportunities of doing work for school that is more where I want to work, like engineering.”
While Steele led the cave construction, students of all ages oversaw other elements. The collaboration between elementary, middle, and high school students was a crucial part of the experience. Every idea, suggestion, and contribution was treated as valuable, regardless of age.
“By the end, they were not just sharing projects, but confidently presenting original ideas, taking ownership of their learning, and seeing themselves as capable creators and thinkers,” said UVA 6-8 Gifted Enrichment teacher Circe Bridges.
The project was Bridges’ brainchild. Bridges, a Gifted educator for almost 20 years, is passionate about providing a low-pressure learning environment for Gifted students where they can explore and challenge themselves without the concern of failure or grades.
“The project was designed to give students a truly student-driven learning experience,” said Bridges. “The teachers’ only role was to organize and facilitate. Lascaux was a natural choice because it brings together art, history, and curiosity. I was excited they learned about history, but it was ultimately about the life skills – leadership, collaboration, and perseverance.”
The Gifted program is all about student-driven learning. At UVA, Gifted is an enrichment program that doesn’t factor into a student’s GPA.
“We design classes based on what the students are interested in, combined with what we as educators see that their need is,” Bridges said. “It’s advanced content, but it’s also learning to make mistakes, to ask for help, and how to study.”
Gifted students create and present a project each semester, even writing their own rubrics. The projects have ranged from designing an escape game to printing 3D models of World War II-era tanks.
“I love the moment that a student realizes they have a skill, or the moment they realize they’re allowed to use their strengths,” Bridges said. “At UVA, I love the creativity that the teachers and students are allowed and encouraged to exercise.”
To enroll in UVA’s Gifted program, the student or parent can contact the school’s Gifted & Talented Facilitator. Referral from a teacher is not required. Once a student is screened and evaluated by the school, they can join the program.
UVA is proud to offer a Gifted program to our driven, innovative students. Catch more student accomplishments by following University View Academy on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
University View Academy is Louisiana’s premier tuition-free K-12 online school. We offer a flexible, personalized education choice for residents across Louisiana that is powered by state-certified teachers and supported by in-person Micro Academies.
