Academics
Learning in Action
Principia delivers a vigorous, experiential, handwrought education to students from preschool all the way through college. Our integrated approach to academic and co-curricular activities challenges students to develop and apply new skills, make connections across disciplines, and prepare for success at the next level of learning and work.
To this end, we have crafted specific, interdisciplinary programs that develop globally aware and spiritually grounded thinkers and leaders, able to meet the challenges of the 21st century and flourish within our rapidly changing, international knowledge economy.
Experiential Learning and Educational Travel
We believe that integrated, experiential learning trips promote exponential growth in students’ depth of understanding, confidence, and character development. That’s why Principia School incorporates tailored travel opportunities into its curriculum at every level of the School:
- From grades 5 through 11, every class participates in a weeklong curricular trip each spring—in the U.S. or overseas. (The senior class focuses on senior projects during that week, and the younger grades take overnight trips to destinations within the Midwest throughout the year.)
- Every fall, Upper School students head into nature on “expeditionary” learning adventures that offer opportunities to strengthen character, leadership, and teamwork.
- In addition, we offer optional curricular and service learning trips to Upper School students (at highly subsidized rates).
Your contribution to these experiential learning opportunities supports educational excellence and increases students' enthusiasm for lifelong learning.
Give to Experiential Learning and Educational Travel
Leadership Institute
The Leadership Institute at Principia College provides students with the tools, training, and coaching to develop and practice leadership skills. While many workshops are open to all students, those holding leadership positions on campus (such as resident assistants and members of student government) participate in intensive coaching.
Your contribution supports the Institute's ability to encourage and engage more students in opportunities to grow as leaders and helps faculty members integrate leadership themes and training into their coursework.
Give to the Leadership Institute
Institute for the Metaphysics of Physics (IMOP)
Founded in November 2013, the Institute for the Metaphysics of Physics undertakes research to educate and inspire Principians—and others beyond our campuses—about the exciting revolutions going on in physics. Dr. Laurance Doyle, the founding director, believes Principia College students and faculty are especially well placed to explore the metaphysics (or underlying realities) of quantum physics, in particular, as scientists make new discoveries about observation, reality, matter, and the role of consciousness in science.
Your contributions to the Institute fund on-campus student research as well as summer internships at SETI Institute in California, where Dr. Doyle is a principial investigator.
Sustainability Program
Your gift supports academic inquiry and practical projects that deepen students' understanding of the complex challenges facing the human family in the 21st century. At the College, the Principia Center for Sustainability coordinates a variety of initiatives, including an academic minor in sustainability, study abroad opportunities, career-related experiences, campus greening initiatives, and a Sustainability Speaker Series. At the School, students from various grades are involved in research, data analysis, and project-based learning—all of which increase their understanding of human-environmental interactions.
Give to the Sustainability Program
Solar Car Project
Harnessing the power of teamwork, commitment, cross-disciplinary expertise—and sunlight, of course!—Principia College’s solar car program goes from strength to strength each year. Our teams of student designers, drivers, mechanics, and assistants participate in solar car races around the world, always keeping in view the goal of glorifying God by meeting logistical, performance, and safety challenges through the application of Christian Science.
Contributions to the Solar Car Project help support campus-based design innovations and provide funds for travel to races across the country—and around the world.