An early Self Science project combines creative art, reflective writing and public speaking to help Spartans develop key social-emotional skills.

In early fall, Gunn Hall turns into an art gallery, stage and sometimes even a bakery! It’s all part of a fun and creative first assignment in Self Science 7, a Health and Wellness course co-taught by Middle School Counselor Tania Gil, Middle School Science Instructor Stacey Wink and Health Education Director Nicole Turner for all 7th graders.

The Self Science 7 curriculum helps students develop the social-emotional skills needed to navigate adolescence, including embracing their identity and self-awareness. The early “Me, Myself and I Through Art” assignment gives Spartans the opportunity to reflect on who they are using art of any medium. 

“The idea is for them to think of a creative way to represent themselves that speaks to them,” said Tania Gil, Middle School counselor and administrator. “It’s a really fun assignment because there is a lot of self-exploration. The kids really get into it.” 

Students also write reflections about their projects and present them to the class. This creative lesson has long been a staple of Self Science 7, and Gil’s office is decorated with artwork from previous classes. 

This year’s 7th graders designed collages and sculptures using items representing their favorite pastimes, from LEGO bricks to records to athletic equipment. Students wrote songs, choreographed dances, baked and sewed. They presented robots, animated videos and paper-mache pets.

Cinco Hinojosa created what he described as a “3D-ish little landscape” depicting outdoor activities with cardboard and natural materials like shells, sticks and leaves. “The tent and campfire are a symbol of my love for camping, which we do every year in November for my mom’s birthday,” he explained. “Every year the experience is really meaningful to me.”

An intricately bejeweled ballet slipper pointed to Dylan Skye’s love of dance. “Ballet has always been a big part of my life,” she wrote. “I'm so blessed to be able to train and learn with the best of the best. When you commit to any sort of dance you have to understand discipline, love and showing up not [only] for others but for yourself. That's why I love it so much.”

In Owen Wagner’s presentation, he told his peers about his very first bass guitar and playing his first show, and performed a solo. “Music for me is the best outlet possible. I listen to metal when I’m stressed or angry. When I’m feeling sad, I listen to jazz. Overall, I think music is one of the most beautiful things out there, and, as Stevie Wonder said, it’s a language we all understand.”

Anya Gottemukkala also used music to express herself with “Memories,” a song she wrote and performed. “It's about how music helped me find who I am,” she wrote, “and a desire for the way the world was before.”

For her project, Sameena Kumar sewed a quilt with 49 squares. “Each one is decorated with something that represents me,” she explained. The squares depict volleyball, her family members, artistic hobbies, favorite quotes and more. 

Not only is “Me, Myself and I Through Art” a fun way to explore identity and self-expression, it also helps new classmates learn about each other. Each presentation includes time for questions from the rest of the group, and many students discover they share common interests. 

“The kids really decide what represents them,” said Gil. “They get to show a little bit of the different sides of who they are before the school year really kicks in.”

Learn more about Student Wellness at St. Stephen’s.