A Montessori Middle School education offers an experiential, dynamic approach to each subject area, integrated studies between programs, and a focus on character development and self-exploration.
Inspired by the Paralympics, the first Middle School design unit this year is called “Games Wide Open.” The students are exploring how “adaptation can lead to innovative development and the celebration of human capability.” They began by watching highlights of the Paralympics. Then, working in pairs, the students gave presentations on the history of the Paralympics focusing on a para-sport, individual, or technology that inspired them. They shared about the development of prosthetics, the rules of blind soccer, and the inspiring athletes who competed in both the Olympics and Paralympics in 2024.
Bringing it closer to home, the students considered how Princeton Montessori School has been designed to be inclusive and adapted for diverse individual needs and what more can be done. They wrote letters to Mrs O’Brian, Head of School, with suggestions. On October 1st, Mr. Dutt visited the school to talk to the students about his paralyzed right arm, sharing the history of the accident and his challenges adjusting to life without the use of his arm.
The class is now busy designing and creating. For the Summative assessment, students will design an arm sling for athletic use. Mr. Silva has been giving mini-workshops on the sewing machines and Mrs. Dutt has been busy helping with and critiquing paper prototypes. 
The unit will conclude the week of conferences. We hope to invite Mr. Dutt back to engage in a basketball tournament to test out the arm slings. In a Shark Tank setting, students will also take on Mrs O’Brian’s hypothetical scenario of spending a $50,000 grant. Working in groups, they will present their top choice design upgrade for the school to be more inclusive for a wider range of users.
