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Highland Elementary students blast off on 'mission to Mars'
Bend school turns a school day into an out-of-this-world learning adventure
Feb. 4, 2026 at 10:23pm
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Students at Highland Elementary in Bend, Oregon 'blasted off' this week on an imaginary mission to Mars, as families gathered on the playground to cheer them on. The event is part of the school's 'Scottish Storyline' method, where students step into a story to help bring lessons to life. After weeks of research and planning their Mars journey, launch day gave students a chance to apply what they'd learned in a creative, hands-on way.
Why it matters
The 'mission to Mars' exercise reinforces real lessons in curiosity, teamwork and problem-solving for the students, helping to bring their studies to life in an engaging, interactive way.
The details
Kindergarten through fifth-grade students at Highland Elementary 'launched' on a pretend rocket ship to the Red Planet, with families cheering them on from the school's playground. The event is part of the school's 'Scottish Storyline' teaching method, where students immerse themselves in a story to deepen their learning.
- The students 'blasted off' on their imaginary mission to Mars this week.
The players
Highland Elementary
An elementary school in Bend, Oregon that implemented a 'Scottish Storyline' teaching method to engage students in hands-on, creative learning.
The takeaway
By turning a school day into an imaginative, out-of-this-world learning adventure, Highland Elementary is finding creative ways to spark students' curiosity and reinforce important lessons through immersive, hands-on experiences.
