Learning Reimagined with Curious Minds.
How exciting, we have submitted our application for the Hybrid Learning Hub to the Charter School Agency! We now wait patiently, as patiently as we can, to hear if we have made the next stage!
We want to share more about what we offer at the Hub and how it can benefit your children.
Curious Minds believes the current education system underestimates and underchallenges students' thinking and learning abilities.
This is a massive statement and opens the door for a robust discussion on what the future of New Zealand will look like and what it could look like.
We asked our friendly AI bot what education for NZ in 10 years would look like, and this is what it had to say:
The school of 2035 will be a dynamic, innovative environment designed to prepare students for a rapidly changing world. Its key features include:
Interdisciplinary Focus: The school moves beyond traditional subjects, such as math or history, taught in isolation. Learning is project-based and blends multiple disciplines—for example, a project on climate change might combine science (data analysis), math (statistics), and social studies (policy solutions).
Personalised Learning: Advanced AI tools tailor education to each student’s needs, strengths, and interests. Students progress at their own pace, with technology adapting lessons in real-time and teachers serving as guides rather than lecturers.
Cutting-Edge Technology: Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) create immersive experiences, letting students “visit” historical events or explore scientific concepts hands-on. AI also streamlines administrative tasks, allowing teachers to focus on mentoring.
Real-World Connections: Through partnerships with businesses and organisations, students tackle authentic challenges—like designing sustainable cities or coding apps for social good—making learning relevant and purposeful.
Flexible Spaces: Classrooms are adaptable, with movable furniture and tech to support group work, individual study, or hands-on activities. Learning often extends beyond the classroom or into the community.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): The school prioritises mental health and well-being, embedding resilience, empathy, and teamwork into daily life through dedicated lessons and a supportive culture.
Global Perspective: Students engage with peers worldwide via virtual exchanges, learning languages and cultural competencies to thrive in a connected world.
New Assessment Methods: Traditional exams are replaced by portfolios and projects that showcase students’ ability to apply skills like critical thinking and collaboration in practical ways.
This school will feel less like a rigid institution and more like a hub of exploration, collaboration, and growth, preparing students not just for tests but for life.
Over the last eight years, we have developed an educational system that enables all of the above to happen now, allowing our students to lead their education and become strong, independent, critical-thinking individuals who can confidently drive their future endeavours.
The flow of learning with Curious Minds
As you can see from our diagram, the student is at the centre of their learning, starting small with a question sparked by their curiosity, supported by Subject Learning Coaches and Industry Subject Matter Experts. Your child’s learning is limitless!
If you are curious about exploring alternative educational options for your children and would like to learn more about what the Curious Minds Hybrid Learning Hub has to offer, please click the button below to complete the form and express your interest.
Alternatively, please get in touch with us; we would love to hear your thoughts.
Here is an in-depth look at a few tools your children will be using within the Hub.
Coaching Critical Thinking
Curious Minds offers a transformative program designed to support and naturally build critical thinking through curiosity.
Critical thinking and curiosity are indispensable qualities in a world of AI. Our program equips your children with the tools to succeed in the digital age.
This course collaborates with our Wonder Learning Inquiry Model, which allows learners to follow their curiosity.
How can developing critical thinking enhance engagement with AI?
-
Understanding AI Limitations: Critical thinking helps individuals evaluate the capabilities and limitations of AI systems. By critically analysing how AI algorithms work, what data they rely on, and their potential biases or errors, individuals can make more informed decisions about when and how to trust AI recommendations.
-
Interpreting AI Outputs: Critical thinking skills enable individuals to interpret and analyse the outputs generated by AI systems. By questioning assumptions, verifying information, and considering alternative explanations, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of the context and implications of AI-generated insights.
-
Detecting Biases and Ethical Issues: Critical thinking helps individuals identify biases, ethical considerations, and potential risks associated with AI technologies. By critically examining the data inputs, algorithms, and decision-making processes of AI systems, individuals can assess the fairness, transparency, and ethical implications of AI applications.
-
Improving Decision-Making: Critical thinking skills empower individuals to make better decisions when interacting with AI systems. By evaluating information critically, considering multiple perspectives, and weighing evidence carefully, individuals can make more reasoned and informed choices based on AI recommendations.
-
Enhancing Creativity and Innovation: Critical thinking fosters creativity and innovation by encouraging individuals to think outside the box, challenge assumptions, and explore new ideas. By combining critical thinking skills with AI technologies, individuals can leverage data-driven insights to inspire innovative solutions and approaches.
-
Empowering Autonomy and Control: Developing critical thinking skills allows individuals to take control of their interactions with AI and avoid blindly accepting AI recommendations. By critically assessing the relevance, reliability, and implications of AI-generated information, individuals can make autonomous decisions that align with their goals and values.
-
Facilitating Continuous Learning: Critical thinking is essential for lifelong learning and adaptability in an increasingly AI-driven world. By developing critical thinking skills, individuals can evaluate new information, update their knowledge and skills, and navigate complex AI technologies effectively to stay relevant and competitive in various fields.
In summary, developing critical thinking in humans enhances engagement with AI by promoting a deeper understanding of AI technologies, improving decision-making, detecting biases and ethical issues, fostering creativity and innovation, empowering autonomy and control, and facilitating continuous learning. By leveraging critical thinking skills with AI tools and resources, individuals can harness the full potential of AI to enhance their cognitive abilities, problem-solving skills, and decision-making processes.
The Wonder Inquiry Model
-
Fosters Student-Driven Inquiry: The model encourages students to follow their curiosity, enabling them to explore topics of personal interest. It shifts away from traditional teacher-led methods to Learning Coaches, Industry Subject Matter Experts and Curiosity, empowering students to take ownership of their learning journey.
-
Aligns with Curriculum Standards: Through the YouPlanIt platform, the
Wonder Learning Journey allows students to track their progress against the New Zealand Curriculum requirements and personal goals. This ensures that their inquiries remain educationally relevant while reducing administrative burden. -
Promotes 21st-Century Skills: The model builds skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and cognitive flexibility. It emphasises creativity and authenticity, preparing students for future challenges by equipping them with competencies to "live life well."
-
Encourages Collaboration and Creativity: It creates opportunities for students to collaborate, express themselves authentically, and engage in creative problem-solving. The approach connects intellectual and emotional aspects of learning, fostering a deeper engagement with content.
-
Reduces Stress and Enhances Engagement: By shifting the focus away from rote learning, the model aims to make learning enjoyable, thereby reducing boredom for students and stress for all involved. It creates a dynamic, inquiry-driven environment that values process over just outcomes.
-
Supports Learning Coaches: Learning Coaches guide rather than direct learning, using the YouPlanIt platform to monitor progress and provide scaffolding. This shift allows educators to focus on nurturing curiosity rather than delivering prescribed content.
YouPlanIt
-
Facilitates Student-Led and Teacher-Led Learning: The platform seamlessly switches between student-driven and teacher-prescribed learning, allowing flexibility for whole classes or individual students. Students can explore personal interests, fostering curiosity and ownership, while teachers guide and monitor progress.
-
Streamlines Planning and Assessment: YouPlanIt offers pre-populated learning plans aligned with the National Curriculum, supported by flexible assessment rubrics that provide clear guidance. Learning Coaches can create or modify lesson plans in under three minutes, reducing administrative workload. It automates planning, marking, and reporting, featuring a "report-as-you-go" function for seamless end-of-term reporting.
-
Promotes Critical Thinking and Creativity: The platform fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity through inquiry-based frameworks, such as the Wonder Learning Journey. Students can explore subjects such as Math, Reading, Writing, Social Science, Science, Technology, and more, with over 2,500 lessons in "child-speak."
-
Enhances Student Agency: By allowing students to co-construct their learning journey, YouPlanIt builds confidence and self-management skills. Students can upload notes, photos, and project work via the mobile app, receive peer and teacher feedback, and engage in self-assessment, feeding into a graphics-based reporting system.
-
Supports Learning Coaches with Resources and Efficiency: The platform provides a growing library of customizable resources, real-time chat for group projects, and audio and video support for lessons. It reduces time spent on planning and marking, enabling teachers to focus on connecting with students and supporting their individual needs.
-
Integrates with School and Homeschool Settings: Suitable for both classroom and homeschool environments, YouPlanIt allows quick class setup (e.g., uploading a class roster in under 10 minutes) and supports localised curriculum integration, ensuring rich, authentic learning experiences.