January 4, 2022
RSVP to discover something remarkable: life at MPA. We warmly invite your family to attend the MPA Preview on Sunday, January 30 at 2 PM. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover why you belong here!
Though virtual, this event will provide prospective families with an opportunity to truly discover the type of remarkable hands on learning that MPA students do each day. You will rotate among several classes taught by our expert faculty. These will be interactive, experiential sessions that are actually abbreviated versions of real MPA lessons, modified to be appropriate for all ages. Prospective families will also have an opportunity to take a virtual tour and experience 15 of our state-of-the-art spaces.
Lower School Sessions
Keep It Up with Tim Sheehan, Lower School physical education teacher
Improve your volleying and striking skills during the Keep It Up session. You will learn how to properly toss, catch, volley, and work through several challenges that are safe to do at home. You only need a balloon or two socks rolled up in a ball and any type of basket (laundry basket, bucket, paper bag) to participate!
Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building with Tami Fisher, second grade teacher
After a quick tour of the Makerspace, Ms. Fisher will share a read aloud and lead a short lesson connecting math, literature, and critical thinking. Using the elements of design thinking and brainstorming, families will choose a structure or material they were inspired by from the anchor text and create their own structure. Families are encouraged to participate in the brainstorming and planning, so that they may build their structure at a later time.
Middle School Sessions
Science + Design: Innovation, Creativity, and Citizenship with John Milam, Middle School science teacher
In seventh and eighth grade, science becomes an adventure in engineering, design-thinking, and the application of new knowledges. Mr. Milam engages students in challenging curriculum that pushes students to apply science concepts in a way that makes the world a better place. Students will engage in a design thinking activity and discrepant event experiment.
Break A Leg: Middle School Theater in Action with Heather Mastel, Lower and Middle School drama teacher
At the foundation of theatre are three “actor tools” – your body, face, and voice! Join in a low-risk intro to middle school theatre, as we put these tools to work. After a quick stretch, we will create frozen statues/tableaus and super-short scenes!
Upper School Sessions
An Interdisciplinary Approach To American Studies with Katie Murr and Sara Mohn, Upper School history and English teachers
Ms. Murr and Ms. Mohn will take students through poems and images to explore the different identities of our nation. These will be the base for a discussion about how our nation has defined itself throughout history.
The Newtonian Physics Of Rotor Design with Hannah Sullivan, Upper School science teacher
Participants will be led through a lab demonstrating the active approach to Upper School science at MPA. We will explore the properties of rotors, improve rotors design, and explore the scientific process. This activity is taken from the ninth grade physics curriculum and is part of our study of motion, falling objects, and Newton’s Laws. Participants will need paper, scissors, and either paperclips, a stapler, or Scotch tape.
Kindly RSVP in advance for this engaging program at moundsparkacademy.org/RSVP. If you have any questions, contact the Office of Admission at 651-748-5577 or admission@moundsparkacademy.org. Prospective students are welcome and encouraged to join alongside their parents/guardians.
We look forward to getting to know your family!
