The OFI team recently collaborated with longtime partner school, Bronx Center for Science and Mathematics (BCSM), by hosting two QUESTion Days for current and former students of the QUESTion Project.

The goal of the day-long event was to create a positive and open environment for the students, teachers, and administrators. Through an exciting combination of events and activities – including a school-wide assembly, performances, and discussions – students considered the questions that held the most importance in their lives.

The QUESTion Day at BCSM prompted students to delve into the unknown, created a space for them to share their authentic selves, enabled them to express the fullness of their humanity, and absolved cultural and social boundaries.

In one of the activities, students engaged in a moment of reflection when asked:

“What are the three most important questions you have about your life?” 

With deliberate thought, BCSM students and teachers anonymously wrote their responses on index cards. Some of the responses were read aloud by peers and colleagues before they were collected for display within the school. This exercise gave students and staff the space to foster relationships built on shared challenges and feelings of uncertainty.

By focusing on themes that are core to the human experience, we challenged interpersonal barriers and connected in unprecedented ways. The QUESTion Day served as a catalyst for building a school culture that values social and emotional development and makes space for life’s biggest questions.

Today, the anonymous responses are on display for all to see, adorning bulletin boards in classrooms and hallways. Thanks to the teachers and administrators at BCSM, we continue to celebrate and acknowledge the wisdom and curiosity of their incredible students. After all, as a recent graduate of the QUESTion Project at BCSM shared;

“At this age, we are still figuring out our own thoughts and opinions on life…
Everyone needs, and has, different opinions and perspectives. And just like I want other to respect me,
I will respect them.”

The OFI team looks forward to many more years of continued partnership with the Bronx Center for Science and Mathematics.