Sixth graders Arianna Carrieri, 11, and Arlonda Berry, 11, create cupcakes for a bakery project Nov. 20 at Falcon Middle School in Falcon School District 49. Arianna and Arlonda were participating in a cupcake and bakery mini course, one of 45 classes offered Nov. 19-20 ahead of the district's Thanksgiving break. The school's educators paused their regular curriculum to help sixth, seventh and eighth graders discover new interest areas and career possibilities. During registration Nov. 6, the students selected from a comprehensive list of one-day and two-day courses, such as indoor skydiving, rock climbing, chess competitions and fossil studies. Many students chose to leave school grounds and visit local landmarks and organizations, including Garden of the Gods and Care and Share Food Bank in Colorado Springs, or the Downtown Aquarium in Denver.