School Counseling

Maritza Zea, Lower School Counselor

The interplay between perseverance in Innovation is undeniable. The Character Trait Word of the Month for April is Perseverance. This is defined as "following through with a task and not giving up, even when the task is difficult." Perseverance is sticking with things. It means being hardworking and finishing what is started, despite barriers and obstacles. It gives our students the confidence to overcome complex challenges, fuel them to explore new experiences, and permits them to make and learn from mistakes. [Some ideas adapted from, A Call to Character by Greer and Kohl].

Innovation requires perseverance because the process of bringing a new idea to life can be long and difficult. There will be challenges and setbacks along the way, and it takes perseverance to keep pushing through these obstacles to make the idea a reality. When we ask the students to think about the skills and attributes that contribute to Innovation, many cite besides creativity and willingness to take risks. It involves staying focused, finding solutions to a problem, and moving beyond failure by learning from it. Innovation and perseverance are two key factors that drive progress and success in any field. These traits are especially important in young students just starting to explore their passions and interests. Innovation comes in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes, it's about new, never-been-seen-before developments that change people's lives forever. On other occasions, it involves improving on what we already know.

One example of a young innovator with perseverance is Jack Andraka, who, at the age of 15, developed an early-detection test for pancreatic, ovarian, and lung cancers. He won the top prize in the 2012 Intel Science Fair for his invention. His invention was the result of perseverance and countless hours of researching and experimenting until he found a solution. Another example is Gitanjali Rao, driven by the concern about the availability of clean water, who invented a device that detects lead in water at the age of 13. She wanted to share how we can help develop science and encourage children in "STEM."

Sagemont Prep emphasizes the skills that generate innovative ability. Last month, fourth- and fifthgrade students participated in Odyssey of the Mind. This is a creative problem-solving program where team members present their solutions at a competition to a predefined long-term problem that takes many months to complete and involves writing, design, construction, and performance. For more information, go to www.odysseyofthemind.com

On the other hand, Innovation is one of the many reasons students choose to participate in science fairs yearly and reasons for teachers to mentor science fair projects every year. For instance, the State Science & Engineering Fair of Florida (SSEF) annually occurs in Lakeland, Florida. For more information, go to https://ssefflorida.com/current-fair/. We encourage students to participate. Science fairs inspire authentic learning experiences in science and engineering that will help students discover their innate ability to innovate.

A student who struggles with reading and writing might develop strategies for remembering and organizing information. For example, they might create visual aids or use technology to help them take notes or complete assignments.

A student who is passionate about art might experiment with different techniques and mediums, such as painting and drawing. They might seek feedback from their peers and teachers and use this feedback to refine their skills and develop their unique style.

A student that is interested in technology might create their own website or app, using coding languages and software tools. They might seek out guidance from mentors or online resources and persevere through setbacks until they have a working product.

This school year, Sagemont Prep Environmental Club worked together to solve a problem, reducing plastic water bottles in the school cafeteria. They researched different strategies, experimented with different approaches, and found a possible solution such as boxed water and reusable water bottles.

Innovation and perseverance are essential traits in any field of study. Students have the potential to make meaningful contributions through their creativity. By embracing failure as a learning opportunity, educators can empower young students to become the next generation of innovators.