Throughout the school year and in all classes, Mount Carmel Academy teachers engage students in project-based learning. Design Cycle Experiences challenge students to move from problem to solution in seven stages: ask, research, imagine, plan, create, evaluate, and improve. As a result, students develop a deeper knowledge of the subject matter while increasing creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking skills.

On the last day before Christmas break, faculty members had the opportunity to experience their own Design Cycle Challenge. They completed puzzles and games to earn a limited set of supplies, and working together in small groups, they used their earned supplies to build rockets. The teachers and staff members enjoyed working together and cheered on each group as they tested their respective rockets.