Summer’s Freaky Fridays
Wonder, Curiosity, and the Weird Side of Learning
On Fridays this summer, we’ve explored the freaky, the mysterious, and the wonderfully unexpected in nature and human history. From asking whether sharks really threaten Maine’s waters to discovering that earthworms—wiped out in North America by the last ice age—are now invasive pests in many forests, our Freaky Friday series hasn’t just been about learning facts. We’re learning how to think: to ask questions, test assumptions, and see the world in new ways.
What makes these sessions so special is that students bring the questions to be explored by the group. How—and why—does a snail live near a volcano chimney? Why do we have wisdom teeth, and what other pieces of our bodies are leftovers from our evolutionary past? By following their curiosity, we discovered the origins of common superstitions and why they feel believable, explored theories about why the Roman Empire fell, learned why Maine’s ocean is warming faster than almost any other ocean, and uncovered how conserving one species can sometimes harm another—or even humans. These questions guide our discussions and investigations, giving students ownership of the learning process and showing that curiosity drives exploration.
An example of an article we studied as to why saving seals might mean more sharks in our future… or not.
We also explored why asking questions matters, especially when we think we already know the answers. For example, we thought we knew everything about the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius—until scientists recently discovered that extreme heat turned the brain of one Pompeii resident into glass. This unexpected finding reminded us that there’s always more to learn, and that digging deeper often leads to astonishing discoveries. By examining evolution, adaptation, and the weirdest traits in animals and humans, we see that curiosity isn’t just a fun exercise—it’s the foundation of learning and discovery.
Beyond facts, the Freaky Friday series cultivates life skills like observation, critical thinking, adaptability, and reflection. Students practice looking at problems from multiple angles, questioning assumptions, and considering evidence before drawing conclusions. They’ve learned that fascination with the unknown doesn’t just entertain—it strengthens the mind, sparks creativity, and fuels a deeper understanding of the world.
Our class debates superstitions and why they exist.
Ultimately, what we’ve discovered is that curiosity itself is a superpower. By asking the right questions, testing what we hear, and exploring the world from different perspectives, we can make sense of chaos, uncover hidden patterns, and find meaning even in the freakiest corners of life. Most importantly, learning is more engaging—and more powerful—when we let ourselves wonder.
