Experiential Education Course

The new experiential education course would be based on principles from Project Adventure (PA) which is typically associated with ROPEs (Reality Based Physical Experiences) courses with varying degrees of height and complexity. Another aspect of PA is social emotional learning (SEL) as well as leadership and team building. The exciting part of experiential learning is that not only do students learn all those useful skills, but it is just plain fun. In an environment like MIT where students are typically under various degrees of stress, this course can be a great safe zone where they can explore social interactions while participating in physical challenges, games, and problem-solving puzzles. A strong fitness component can also be part of the overall curriculum. The fitness component is comprised of a dynamic stretching routine and warm up at the beginning of each class, followed by an instructional physical activity challenge of the day that includes developing muscular and cardiovascular fitness along with teamwork. Each class ends with a cooldown and post activity stretch with a review of wellness components of the lesson. Each activity challenge is in of itself physically strenuous and designed to develop physical fitness. Project Adventure is a heavily vetted program that has been around since 1971. The three core components to Project Adventure are Challenge by Choice, Full Value Contract, and the Experiential Learning Cycle. Bringing a course based on Project Adventure principles to MIT as a Physical Education and Wellness course for points would be beneficial to the student body and teach critical social and emotional learning with leadership skills camouflaged in fun and dynamic experiential challenges.