In today's rapidly evolving world, the educational landscape is changing. Parents and educators alike recognize that traditional learning methods—focused primarily on lectures, textbooks, and standardized testing—often fail to prepare students for the complex challenges of the future. At Pluris Academy in Orlando, we've pioneered a different approach: hands-on learning that engages students, sparks curiosity, and develops real-world skills essential for success.
Our hands-on learning methodology isn't just about making education more enjoyable—though it certainly achieves that. It's about creating deeper understanding, fostering creativity, building problem-solving abilities, and preparing students to become entrepreneurial leaders who can make a meaningful impact in our increasingly complex world.
Located in Orlando, Florida, Pluris Academy offers a K-12 college preparatory education where bright, curious young students aim high in an atmosphere of challenge and support. Our hands-on approach brings out their best as learners and as people, inspiring thinkers and developing leaders ready to tackle tomorrow's challenges.
What is Hands-On Learning?
Hands-on learning, also known as experiential or active learning, is an educational approach that places students at the center of their own learning experience. Rather than passively receiving information, students actively engage with concepts, materials, and ideas through direct experience, exploration, and reflection.
At Pluris Academy, hands-on learning means:
- Students physically interact with materials, tools, and environments
- Learning extends beyond textbooks to real-world applications
- Concepts are explored through multiple senses and learning modalities
- Mistakes are viewed as valuable parts of the learning process
- Curiosity and questions drive deeper understanding
- Theory and practice are seamlessly integrated
This approach reflects our belief that true learning happens when students are actively involved in constructing their own understanding—when they can touch, build, experiment, create, and solve problems that matter to them.
The "Garage" Concept: Where Hands-On Learning Comes to Life
Pluris Academy was born with the purpose of offering "garages" where our students can become effective problem solvers. Inspired by the humble beginnings of many innovative companies that started in actual garages before growing into transformative enterprises, our learning spaces are designed to foster creativity, experimentation, and hands-on discovery.
Our three primary "garages" are tailored to different age groups, each providing hands-on learning experiences appropriate to students' developmental stages:
Elementary School Garage (Ages 5-10)
For our youngest innovators, our elementary school garage focuses on creativity and foundational skills. Here, hands-on learning takes many forms:
- Multi-sensory explorations that engage sight, sound, touch, and movement
- Manipulative materials that make abstract concepts concrete
- Art and music integration that enhances understanding across subjects
- Play-based activities that develop social skills alongside academic learning
- Nature-based learning that connects students to the world around them
Our elementary curriculum incorporates visuals, audio, hands-on activities, kinesthetic movements, discussions, group projects, games, art, presentations, and more. The small classroom settings give students the opportunity to receive personalized attention based on their learning needs.
Middle School Garage (Ages 10-13)
As students progress to our middle school garage,, hands-on learning becomes more sophisticated, emphasizing entrepreneurial thinking and deeper subject integration:
- Laboratory experiments that develop scientific thinking
- Design challenges that apply mathematical concepts to real problems
- Simulations that bring historical events and social systems to life
- Technology projects that build digital literacy and computational thinking
- Entrepreneurial activities that develop business acumen and innovation skills
Designed to meet the varied needs of early adolescents, our Middle School integrates subjects, study skills, community service, and social and personal growth activities into its program. It offers a challenging and enriching experience, preparing students for the Upper School's rigorous college preparatory curriculum.
High School Garage (Ages 13-18)
In our upper school garage, hands-on learning focuses on career readiness, startup creation, and sophisticated problem-solving:
- Advanced laboratory investigations in science and technology
- Business planning and entrepreneurial ventures
- Research projects addressing complex global challenges
- Design thinking processes applied to authentic problems
- Dual enrollment opportunities with the University of Central Florida
The Upper School offers a strong and varied program that provides numerous opportunities for students to demonstrate their individual strengths and develop their potential. The rigorous college-preparatory program prepares students for the college and university setting while developing practical skills through hands-on learning experiences.
The Benefits of Hands-On Learning at Pluris Academy
Deeper Understanding and Retention
Research consistently shows that hands-on learning leads to stronger comprehension and better long-term retention of information. When students actively engage with concepts rather than passively receiving information, they:
- Form stronger neural connections and memories
- Develop more comprehensive mental models
- Transfer learning more effectively to new situations
- Retain information for longer periods
- Apply knowledge more successfully to real-world contexts
At Pluris Academy, we've observed that students who learn through hands-on experiences not only perform better on assessments but also demonstrate a more thorough understanding of concepts that persists well beyond the classroom.
Development of Essential Skills
Beyond academic content, hands-on learning develops crucial skills that students need for future success:
- Critical Thinking: Students learn to analyze situations, evaluate evidence, and draw reasoned conclusions.
- Problem-Solving: Hands-on activities present authentic challenges that require creative solutions.
- Collaboration: Group projects develop teamwork, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Resilience: Experiential learning involves trial and error, teaching students to persist through challenges.
- Self-Direction: Students develop agency and responsibility for their own learning process.
- Creativity: Hands-on projects encourage innovative thinking and novel approaches.
These skills—often called "21st-century skills" or "soft skills"—are increasingly valued by colleges and employers, giving our students a significant advantage as they move forward in their educational and professional journeys.
Increased Engagement and Motivation
When learning is active and meaningful, student engagement naturally increases. At Pluris Academy, our hands-on approach leads to:
- Higher levels of student interest and participation
- Increased intrinsic motivation to learn and explore
- Greater willingness to tackle challenging material
- Reduced behavioral issues and distractions
- More positive attitudes toward school and learning
This engagement creates a positive cycle: interested students learn more effectively, which increases confidence, which in turn promotes further engagement with challenging material.
Personalized Learning Experiences
Our hands-on approach naturally accommodates different learning styles and abilities. Through varied activities and projects, students can:
- Engage with content in ways that match their learning preferences
- Progress at appropriate paces for their individual development
- Receive targeted support in areas of challenge
- Pursue extensions in areas of strength and interest
- Demonstrate understanding through multiple modalities
In our small classroom settings, teachers can provide opportunities for intervention or enrichment depending on each student's reading and math level, ensuring that all students are appropriately challenged and supported.
Hands-On Learning Across the Curriculum
At Pluris Academy, hands-on learning isn't limited to science labs or art studios—it permeates every subject area:
Mathematics
Instead of simply memorizing formulas, our students:
- Use manipulatives to understand abstract concepts
- Apply mathematical thinking to real-world problems
- Create models and representations of mathematical ideas
- Design projects that require measurement, calculation, and analysis
- Explore connections between mathematics and other fields
Language Arts
Reading and writing come alive through activities where students:
- Create original works in various genres and formats
- Perform dramatic interpretations of literature
- Design multimedia presentations of their ideas
- Engage in meaningful discussions and debates
- Produce publications for authentic audiences
Science
Our science curriculum emphasizes inquiry and discovery as students:
- Design and conduct original experiments
- Build models of scientific phenomena
- Collect and analyze real data
- Create solutions to environmental challenges
- Explore natural systems through field experiences
Social Studies
History, geography, and civics become tangible through hands-on approaches where students:
- Simulate historical events and decision-making
- Create maps and models of geographical features
- Participate in community service and civic engagement
- Interview community members about local history
- Analyze primary sources and artifacts
Technology and Innovation
Our curriculum integrates cutting-edge technology as a tool for hands-on learning, with students:
- Coding original programs and applications
- Designing digital solutions to real problems
- Creating multimedia content across subject areas
- Using technology to collaborate and share ideas
- Exploring emerging technologies as tools for innovation
Our Approach to Teaching and Learning
Student-Centered Learning Environment
At Pluris Academy, our magnificent teachers are facilitators of the classroom where they guide students in an engaging environment. They provide opportunities for our students to grow and thrive in their education. We use student-centered based learning, and our teachers are right there asking the students great questions to spark their curiosity.
This approach means:
- Students' questions and interests help shape learning experiences
- Teachers serve as guides and mentors rather than just information providers
- Classroom spaces are flexible and designed to support varied activities
- Resources and materials are accessible for student exploration
- Mistakes are viewed as valuable learning opportunities
Interdisciplinary Connections
Our hands-on curriculum intentionally integrates multiple subject areas, helping students see the connections between disciplines just as they exist in the real world. A single project might incorporate:
- Scientific principles and investigation methods
- Mathematical calculations and data analysis
- Reading and research skills
- Writing and communication
- Historical and cultural contexts
- Artistic design and expression
This integration helps students develop a more holistic understanding of concepts and their applications across different domains.
Is Pluris Academy Right for Your Child?
Our hands-on learning approach is especially beneficial for students who:
- Are curious and enjoy exploring their interests
- Learn better by doing rather than just listening or reading
- Benefit from seeing real-world applications of concepts
- Thrive in interactive, collaborative environments
- Have entrepreneurial interests or creative mindsets
- Want to develop practical skills alongside academic knowledge
At Pluris Academy, we believe that all students can benefit from hands-on learning, but our approach particularly engages those who may not have reached their full potential in more traditional educational settings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hands-On Learning at Pluris Academy
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How do you ensure students master core academic content through hands-on learning?
Our hands-on activities are carefully designed to address specific learning standards and objectives. Teachers plan backward from learning goals to create experiences that naturally incorporate essential content knowledge while developing broader skills and understandings.
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How do you assess student learning in a hands-on environment?
Assessment in hands-on learning environments is multifaceted, including:
- Observations of student process and participation
- Evaluation of created products and presentations
- Student reflections and self-assessments
- Traditional assessments for specific content knowledge
- Performance tasks that demonstrate applied understanding
This approach provides a more complete picture of student learning than traditional testing alone.
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How does hands-on learning prepare students for college and careers?
Our approach develops not only strong academic foundations but also the critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and self-direction skills that colleges and employers increasingly value. Additionally, the unique projects and experiences our students participate in create compelling profiles for college admissions.
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What qualifications do your teachers have to facilitate hands-on learning?
Our teachers are experienced educators who receive ongoing professional development in hands-on learning methodologies. They combine strong content knowledge with expertise in facilitating active learning experiences and supporting diverse learners.
Experience Hands-On Learning at Pluris Academy in Orlando
If you're looking for a school that focuses on developing students as effective problem solvers, equipped to face real-world challenges and foster creativity, then Pluris Academy is the right place for you.
Our accredited Kindergarten through 12 college preparatory school engages students in a rich and stimulating educational experience of the highest quality, opening their minds to new possibilities while providing outstanding preparation for the next steps of their lives. The curriculum is challenging, forward-thinking, innovative, and flexible, designed to help students from various backgrounds and with a range of talents and interests reach new levels of accomplishment.
Schedule a Tour
To experience Pluris Academy's hands-on learning approach firsthand, we invite you to schedule a tour of our campus. Registration for all Pluris Academy Programs must be completed in person or virtually.
To request an appointment to speak with an Admissions Advisor, please visit our contact page, and someone will reach out to book an appointment.