Explore Folklore: Wings, Chariots, and Flying Carpets

$100.00

Since the first human looked up and saw a bird, we have been obsessed with the sky.

This course explores the universal human desire to defy gravity, diving into the ancient stories that paved the way for modern aviation. From the mechanical magpies of Lu Ban in China to the celestial chariots of Hindu epics and the feathered serpents of Mesoamerica, we will move away from typical "Icarus" tropes to discover how humanity took to the air in their imagination. We will journey across every continent to see how monks, kings, and inventors cracked the code of the sky through storytelling and cultural wonder.

Students will analyze the cultural “why" behind these legends to determine if flight was a gift from the gods, a result of clever engineering, or a dangerous pursuit of ego. Through creative writing, map-tracking, and even some basic physics to see why these myths stayed myths, we will explore a world without gravity. By investigating how different civilizations imagined navigating the heavens, students will gain a deeper understanding of how these early dreams of flight eventually fueled our real-world journey to the stars.

Since the first human looked up and saw a bird, we have been obsessed with the sky.

This course explores the universal human desire to defy gravity, diving into the ancient stories that paved the way for modern aviation. From the mechanical magpies of Lu Ban in China to the celestial chariots of Hindu epics and the feathered serpents of Mesoamerica, we will move away from typical "Icarus" tropes to discover how humanity took to the air in their imagination. We will journey across every continent to see how monks, kings, and inventors cracked the code of the sky through storytelling and cultural wonder.

Students will analyze the cultural “why" behind these legends to determine if flight was a gift from the gods, a result of clever engineering, or a dangerous pursuit of ego. Through creative writing, map-tracking, and even some basic physics to see why these myths stayed myths, we will explore a world without gravity. By investigating how different civilizations imagined navigating the heavens, students will gain a deeper understanding of how these early dreams of flight eventually fueled our real-world journey to the stars.

Academic Fine-Print for Grownups:

This class explores the cultural and psychological impact of flight in world mythology, using ancient aerial narratives to analyze the universal human drive to transcend limits. We will examine how the soaring chariots, mechanical birds, and celestial journeys of global folklore personify complex internal states—from the heights of ambition and visionary dreaming to the "monsters" of fear, recklessness, and isolation. Through weekly stories of global fliers, students will learn to decode the symbolism of the sky, connecting these timeless tales of gravity-defying heroes to contemporary discussions of emotional resilience and the search for perspective.

Learning Goals:

  • Analyze Historical Contexts of Aspiration: Examine how different societies expressed the desire for freedom and the fear of the unknown through myths of flight, understanding the cultural "why" behind the reach for the heavens.

  • Evaluate the Ethics of Ambition: Study the choices made by figures such as Lu Ban, Nimrod, and the Ayar Brothers to identify the consequences of traits like obsession, the thirst for power, and the pursuit of impossible dreams.

  • Examine Perspective and Isolation: Trace how mythological figures deal with the unique vantage point of the sky—investigating themes of being ostracized, the loneliness of the "inventor," and the internal conflict between staying grounded and taking flight.

  • Compare Themes of Resilience and Growth: Contrast global narrative arcs of "crashes" and "successful landings" to identify universal metaphors for recovery, using the symbol of wings to practice self-reflection and empathy for the human struggle to rise above challenges.

For your Curriculum Records, we will cover:

  • Historical Context

  • Critical Thinking

  • Classic Literature

  • Philosophy

  • Ethics

  • Creative Writing

Dates and Location:

Section A: Ages 8+ will meet Mondays from 2-3pm Eastern, and will run from Monday, March 23 through Monday, May 18. All 8 classes will be held over Zoom. (There will be no class on Monday, April 6.)

Class Etiquette: I expect and require gentle, respectful language in my classes, and ask that all students come to class prepared to treat each other with kindness. These classes are a great opportunity for your kiddos to practice social/soft skills, with the underlying perspective that we’re all in this together.