Synthesis Teams FAQs

Synthesis Teams is a live, online, guided experience where students ages 8-14 build real-world collaboration and problem-solving skills through complex team challenges.

It’s not a traditional class. It’s a training ground for lasting growth.

There are no step-by-step instructions or single “right answers.” Instead, we create the conditions for meaningful learning, placing students in situations where they need to engage, experiment, and figure things out together in a safe, moderated environment.

We use strategy-based team games as simulations of real-world challenges. In game sessions, students practice navigating uncertainty, aligning with teammates, communicating clearly, and adapting when things don’t go as planned.

Students also participate in Discussion sessions, where they reflect, share ideas, and develop the ability to express their thinking clearly.

Over time, students grow more confident, collaborative, and capable in complex situations — not by being told what to do, but by practicing how to think and work with others.

Synthesis Teams is designed for kids ages 8-14 who are:

• intellectually curious,
• comfortable using a laptop and mouse,
• proficient in English (intermediate level of B1 (CEFR) or equivalent), and
• open to working with all kinds of teammates.

Beginners encouraged.

We welcome introverts and extroverts, future artists and engineers, quick thinkers and deep thinkers. Everyone brings something valuable to the team.

At Synthesis Teams, students practice the kinds of skills that schools don’t teach, but that matter for any future. Over the course of a year, they practice:

Communication

Speaking clearly and concisely, listening actively, encouraging teammates, and sharing ideas with confidence.

Team mindset

Staying focused, persisting through challenges, working with different personalities, and adapting to new team dynamics.

Problem-solving

Thinking critically, navigating unfamiliar situations, framing problems, and adjusting strategies as conditions change.

These aren’t skills kids can learn from a lecture. They develop through experience, practice, and reflection.

At Synthesis, we put students in situations where they need to think, communicate, and collaborate in real time. With practice, they become more confident, more adaptable, and more effective in group settings.

These are the building blocks for success — not just in Synthesis, but in school and in life.

To students, Synthesis Teams can look like an online game. Each week brings new scenarios, new teammates, and new challenges.

But Synthesis is not a video game. It’s a collaborative learning experience — a place where students develop real-world skills and get better at the “meta-game” of working with others.

We think of it as play with a purpose.

Students receive guidance from friendly, live coaches. They reflect as a team on what they can do better. And individually, they work to improve themselves as communicators, teammates, and problem-solvers.

It feels like fun. But with time, it builds serious skills.

Introductory missions are how new students get started at Teams.

They are a series of three live, 60-minute classes held at designated times.

Introductory missions are scheduled at the start of each new Teams season. Students have two weeks from the season’s start to complete the series.

These missions are designed to help prepare students to be successful with our unique learning process. They help kids get comfortable with the Teams environment and approach, while also giving coaches insight into each student’s strengths and areas for growth.

After completing the introductory missions, students unlock access to the full Teams schedule of weekly game and Discussion sessions.

In some cases, students who have completed select camps may follow an alternate onboarding path.

Contact us at teams@synthesis.com for details on the next Teams season and the introductory mission schedule.

Introductory missions are scheduled differently to ensure a strong experience for new students.

Each month, we admit a limited number of students from around the world. By concentrating introductory mission times, we’re able to bring students together into well-balanced groups rather than spreading them across lightly attended sessions.

Once introductory missions are complete, students unlock the full Teams schedule, which includes many more session options throughout the week.

Register for introductory missions directly from your child’s Teams dashboard.

Click to select the time for your first introductory mission. Click again to de-select and choose a different time.

You’ll be able to register for the second introductory mission after your child completes the first class.

To join a session, your child should log on to their Teams home page about 10 minutes before the start of your selected session.

Click the “Join Now” button when it appears a few minutes before the class begins.

Watch the Mission Brief, then enter the queue and wait to be matched onto a team.

Be sure to arrive early to get set up and ready to go. Because sessions begin promptly and teams are formed at the start, late arrivals may not be admitted.

Introductory missions are designed to make sure students are truly ready for the full Teams experience. Progression isn’t automatic; rather, students move forward once they’ve demonstrated the core skills needed to participate successfully.

A student may be required to repeat introductory mission 1 or 2 if they weren’t able to fully participate — for example, due to time away from the session, technical issues, or if they would benefit from more practice with teamwork and communication.

In introductory mission 3, students take on a “final test,” applying what they’ve practiced in missions 1 and 2. Teams work through a series of challenges within the session, and those who meet the benchmark move on. If not, they’ll have another opportunity to try again.

This is intentional. At Synthesis, progress is earned, and learning often includes trying again.

After your child completes all three introductory missions, they unlock access to the full Teams schedule.

From there, they can begin attending:

• Game sessions (60 minutes) for collaborative problem-solving
• Discussion sessions (45 minutes) for ethical analysis and communication

To get the most out of Teams, we recommend attending at least one game and one Discussion session weekly. Students can repeat any session for extra practice. For optimal growth, many students attend each session. The first time allows them to encounter confusion and complexity. The second time allows them to iterate on their initial reactions.

At this stage, students are fully part of the Teams experience, building skills, meeting new teammates, and taking on more complex challenges over time.

After the introductory mission phase, Teams features two unique sessions per week:

• one 60-minute game session
• one 45-minute Discussion session

We recommend that students attend at least one of each session type weekly. They’re welcome to repeat any session for additional practice.

There’s no minimum attendance requirement, and scheduling is always flexible. Families can choose the cadence that works best for them.

Scheduling in Teams is flexible. You can choose different session times each week based on what works best for your family.

That said, many students benefit from attending at a consistent day and time when possible. This helps them see familiar faces and build stronger connections with peers.

There’s no required schedule, so you’re always free to adjust. Some weeks may be more consistent, while others may vary — and that’s completely fine.

The goal is to find a rhythm that works for your family while giving your child regular opportunities to engage and grow.

No.

Students can attend weekly sessions in any order (game first or Discussion first).

Game sessions require a lot of decisions in a short time frame. Discussion sessions require only a few decisions over a long time frame. Taken together, students practice both types of judgment.

Over time, students benefit most from participating in both regularly, but there’s no “right” order of attendance.

View the weekly schedule from the Calendar tab on your Teams account.

Game and Discussion sessions are color-coded so you can tell them apart.

Special events are rare and are also color-coded.

Click on a session to register to attend. Click again to de-select and choose another time.

If you see a friends icon on a session, it means one of your child’s friends is planning to attend that class. Hover over the icon for details.

The Teams calendar automatically displays session times based on your device’s local time and date settings.

If the times look incorrect, check that your device’s time zone is set correctly. If you’re using a VPN, try pausing or disabling it, as it may affect how time zones are detected.

No problem! There’s no penalty for missing a session.

Teams is designed to be flexible, so your child can simply register for another session that works for your schedule.

Because each session is a self-contained experience, students can jump back in at any time.

Synthesis Teams is the world’s most innovative educational experience. We’re not trying to teach kids what to think; we’re helping them learn how to think, together.

Most learning environments are built around instruction: follow the steps, get the right answer, move on. But the real world doesn’t work that way. It’s messy, fast-moving, and often unclear. Teams is designed to feel much closer to that reality.

We put students in complex situations where they need to:

• make sense of what’s happening
• communicate clearly with others
• adapt as new information emerges

We use strategy-based team challenges to create these conditions. They’re engaging and often feel like games, but underneath, students are practicing how to navigate uncertainty, work through disagreement, and contribute to a group.

Coaches are there to guide, not to direct. Students take the lead. They try things, reflect on what worked, and come back stronger the next time.

Over time, something shifts. Students form their own mental models, from the inside out. They become more confident speaking up, more thoughtful in how they approach problems, and more capable of working with all kinds of teammates.

That’s what makes Teams special. It’s not about mastering content. It’s about becoming someone who can join any team, anywhere, and make it better.

In a game session, students work together in small teams, using a strategy-based game as a simulation of a real-world challenge.

Synthesis offers a rotating catalog of games, each carefully designed to help students practice specific skills like second-order thinking, resource management, or perseverance. Some sessions are collaborative, while others introduce competitive dynamics, giving students experience with different types of team environments.

Importantly, none of our games can be won alone. Students must work together — sharing information, aligning on strategy, and supporting the team plan — to succeed.

Here’s what a typical session looks like:

• Students watch a short Mission Brief video that sets the context and goals for that session
• They enter a short queue where they are matched with a team
• During the hour, they may play multiple rounds, often with different teammates
• Between rounds, they adjust their approach based on what they’ve learned

Each session is a new opportunity to practice how to

• communicate clearly with teammates
• align on strategy
• make decisions under uncertainty
• adapt when things don’t go as planned

Coaches are present to offer guidance, but they don’t direct the team. Students take the lead, working through challenges together and learning from the experience.

The goal isn’t to be a better game player. It’s to become a stronger communicator, thinker, and teammate — someone who can contribute meaningfully in any group.

In a Discussion session, students come together in small groups to explore ideas, share perspectives, and reflect on their thinking.

Each session centers around a series of scenarios, often connected to real-world topics or themes. There are no right or wrong answers. Instead, students practice how to:

• express their ideas clearly
• listen and respond thoughtfully to others
• build on different perspectives
• ask meaningful questions

Discussions are student-led and coach-guided. Coaches help create a safe, focused environment, but students drive the conversation.

Over time, students become more comfortable speaking up, more thoughtful in how they engage with others, and more confident in their ability to contribute to a group.

The goal isn’t to arrive at the “right” answer. It’s to practice thinking out loud, listening carefully, and learning from one another.

Students are matched into teams dynamically based on a number of factors, including age (8-10 or 11-14) and experience level.

When a student joins a session, they are placed onto a team with other students their age who are attending at the same time. Teams are intentionally mixed and change regularly so kids have the opportunity to work with many different peers.

This is by design.

Learning how to collaborate with all kinds of teammates is a core part of the Teams experience. Students regularly work with peers from around the world, each bringing their own perspective and approach.

Students who attend at a consistent day and time will often start to see familiar faces. This helps build connections and a sense of community.

Students can also coordinate with friends by sending or accepting invitations to form a team when they’d like to attend the same session.

Coaches are present in every session as experienced mentors and moderators.

They aren’t traditional teachers, and they don’t provide answers or step-by-step instructions. Instead, they observe, listen, and step in when it’s helpful. That might be by asking a well-timed question, offering a quick nudge, or helping a team reset.

Their role is to create the conditions for strong collaboration:

• keeping sessions focused and productive
• encouraging participation from all students
• supporting teams as they work through challenges

Students stay in the driver’s seat. Coaches are there to support and challenge them, not to lead.

Over time, this helps students build independence, confidence, and the ability to navigate complex situations on their own.

Progress in Synthesis Teams doesn’t show up as a score or grade. It shows up in how students think, communicate, and collaborate over time.

You may notice your child becoming more confident speaking up, more thoughtful in how they approach challenges, or more comfortable working with different teammates.

The most meaningful signal often comes directly from your child. We encourage you to ask questions like:

• What was challenging this week?
• What did your team figure out together?
• Did anything surprise you?

These conversations help students reflect on their experience, and that reflection is a key part of growth.

We also share periodic feedback to give you additional insight into your child’s experience. These updates highlight areas of strength, opportunities for growth, and ways to support continued development.

At Synthesis, progress isn’t about reaching a fixed endpoint. It’s about building the habits and mindset to keep improving over time.

Every student is an individual, and every child’s journey will look a little different. Even so, there are a few common phases most students move through.

Getting started (first 2 weeks)

Students begin with introductory missions, where they learn how Teams works and get comfortable collaborating in this new environment.

Learning the basics (first 2–3 months)

After introductory missions, students spend their first couple of months getting familiar with the Synthesis game catalog.

Each game is different and focuses on a new set of skills. There are no instructions, so students learn by working through each challenge with their team.

At first, this can feel unfamiliar. But over time, two important things happen:

• solving complex problems without instructions starts to feel natural
• students build confidence navigating new situations with others

This phase sets the foundation for deeper growth in the months ahead.

Focusing on how they show up (after a few months)

As students become more comfortable, something shifts. They begin to think more intentionally about how they approach problems:

• How do I contribute to a team?
• When should I speak up?
• How do I handle disagreement or uncertainty?

This is where deeper growth begins.

Ongoing development

From there, the experience becomes more personal. Students continue practicing, reflecting, and improving — developing the habits and mindset of someone who can step into any team and make it better.

There’s no fixed endpoint. Progress isn’t about “finishing” Teams; it’s about continuing to grow over time.

The supercollaborator certification is the highest level of achievement in Synthesis Teams.

It’s not a badge or a test. It’s recognition that a student has developed the ability to join any team, anywhere, and make it better.

Students work toward this over time through consistent participation, reflection, and growth. Those who choose to pursue it build a portfolio of their work and apply when they feel ready.

The process is intentionally rigorous. It often includes multiple steps, including conversations with Synthesis coaches, to understand how a student thinks, collaborates, and contributes in a team.

For most students, this takes about a year or more. Not everyone chooses to pursue it. It’s a high bar. About 2% of Synthesis students reach this level.

At Synthesis, becoming a supercollaborator isn’t the end of the journey. It’s the beginning of a new level of responsibility: showing up in any group and helping it succeed.

The friends feature allows students to connect with other students within the Teams universe and coordinate sessions together.

Students can add up to 30 friends. Once connected, they can:

• see when their friends are planning to attend sessions
• send and receive invitations to form a team

This makes it easier to play with familiar teammates and build ongoing connections.

At the same time, Teams continues to mix groups regularly so students also have the opportunity to meet and collaborate with new peers.

Each student can have up to 30 friends in Teams.

This limit is intentional. It encourages students to build meaningful connections, rather than collecting a long list of names.

It also helps maintain a healthy balance between playing with familiar teammates and collaborating with new peers.

Both are important parts of the Synthesis experience.

For safety and privacy reasons, students are not permitted to exchange personally identifying information without parental consent. This is an important way we help maintain a safe online environment.

If your child would like to connect with a teammate outside of Teams, you can reach out to us at teams@synthesis.com and include the student’s username (e.g., amy1234). We’ll be happy to help facilitate the connection with appropriate consent.

The most helpful thing you can do is give your child space to take ownership of their experience. Understand that Synthesis takes time, and that incremental growth compounds over time.

Synthesis is designed as a place to practice real-world skills like communication, problem-solving, and collaboration. That kind of growth happens when students can experiment, take risks, and learn from mistakes in a safe, supportive space.

A few simple ways to support your child:

• encourage consistent attendance
• help them set up a quiet, distraction-free space
• check in after sessions with questions like “What was challenging?” or “What did your team figure out?”

During sessions, we ask that students participate independently, without parent help. This gives them the chance to build confidence and learn how to navigate challenges on their own.

We keep parents informed through a weekly newsletter delivered to your email. It includes previews of upcoming Mission Briefs, the skills focus for the week’s sessions, and important announcements.

It also includes suggested topics to help you continue the conversation at home and better understand your child’s experience.

We may also share periodic updates about your child’s growth, including areas of strength and opportunities for development.

If you ever have questions or need help, our team is here for you.

Email us at teams@synthesis.com. We’re happy to help with scheduling, account management, or anything else you need.

We read and respond to every email.

Teams memberships are $95/month.

There’s no contract, and you can cancel at any time.

No, each student must have their own account.

Each account tracks an individual student’s participation, progress, and growth over time.

If you’re enrolling multiple children, each should be registered under the same parent email to manage everything in one place.

Yes!

If you register more than one child using the same parent email address, a 20% sibling discount will be automatically applied at checkout for the additional student(s). There’s no promo code required (just make sure both accounts share the same parent email).

We offer pauses from 2 to 4 consecutive weeks in duration. If you’d like to schedule a pause, please contact us at teams@synthesis.com. Provide the start date and total duration and we’ll handle the rest.

From your Teams home page, click on your child’s avatar or profile picture in the top right corner > Switch Account > your email address > Manage Billing.

Some billing management options may be limited during the first phase of membership. If you have questions or need help, contact us at teams@synthesis.com and we’ll be happy to help.

To change from one student profile to another, click the avatar in the top right corner of your Teams account, then select “Switch Account.”

For security reasons, each profile can only be active on one device at a time.

No, Tutor is a separate program with a separate subscription.

Teams is our live, team-based learning experience that builds communication and collaboration skills.

Tutor is a self-paced digital math program designed for independent learning.

Together, they provide a strong educational foundation for any child, for any future.

Teams is a month-to-month membership with no contract. You may cancel at any time.

Synthesis camps and Teams serve different purposes.

Synthesis camps are short-term, time-limited programs. They run over a defined period (such as a weekend or a few weeks) and are designed to be intensive and focused.

Synthesis Teams is our year-round membership program for lasting growth. Students build a wide range of skills through consistent practice, collaboration, and reflection. Most students train at Teams for about a year.

A helpful way to think about it is like the difference between a skills camp and regular practice in team sports:

• camps are short and focused on a specific experience or theme
• Teams is built for steady, long-term growth

Both use team-based challenges and reflection. The difference is in the duration, pace, and depth of the experience.

It depends on the kind of experience you’re looking for.

Choose a camp if you’re looking for a short-term, focused experience. Camps are a great way to explore Synthesis or participate during school breaks.

Choose Teams if you’re looking for long-term growth. Teams is designed for students to develop their skills over time through consistent practice, reflection, and collaboration.

Some families start with a camp and then continue with Teams. Others begin with Teams right away.

Both are meaningful experiences—the right choice depends on your goals and timeline.

For the best experience, use a laptop or desktop computer that meets our minimum technical requirements. You can find the full, up-to-date details here: Minimum Tech Specs.

Students will need a working microphone and webcam (built-in or external) so they can fully participate with their team.

Phones and Android devices are not supported.

iPads can be used after completing introductory missions using our official app. We recommend starting on a laptop or desktop to help students build comfort with the full Teams environment.

Taking a few minutes to check your setup ahead of time can make a big difference in your child’s experience.

• Webcam (required): Built-in or external is fine, as long as your child can be seen clearly.
• Microphone (required): Built-in or external is fine, as long as your child can be heard clearly.
• Headset (strongly recommended): Helps reduce background noise and makes it easier to hear and be heard.
• Mouse (recommended): Trackpads work, but some students find a mouse easier for precise control.
• iPad stand or case (if using an iPad): Keeps the device stable and in landscape mode for comfortable participation.

For a smooth start, please check the following:

• Your device meets our minimum technical requirements
• Your internet connection is stable and meets our speed requirements
• Your camera and microphone are working properly
• You’ve granted the browser permission to use the camera and microphone
• You can access your Teams account without connection issues (in some locations, a VPN may be needed due to local internet restrictions)

We’ll guide you through a simple device check before your first session to help make sure everything is ready to go.

Choose a quiet, distraction-free space where your child can fully engage.

We recommend that students attend sessions from separate rooms if multiple children are participating at the same time. Shared spaces often lead to background noise and make it harder for teams to communicate effectively.

Clear communication is essential for a great team experience.

Using headphones helps reduce echo and background noise, making it easier for everyone to hear and be heard.

The most meaningful growth happens when students take ownership of their experience.

During sessions, we ask that students participate on their own, without parent assistance. This gives them space to think, make decisions, and learn through experience.

You can support this by encouraging attendance, helping with setup, and checking in afterward.

In an important work meeting, you’d show up focused, present, and ready to contribute, because your team is counting on you.

We help students practice that same mindset in Teams.

That means minimizing distractions like toys, avoiding eating during sessions, and using their microphone thoughtfully so everyone can communicate clearly.

These habits may seem small, but they make a big difference. They help students show respect for their teammates and build the kind of presence and reliability that strong teams depend on.

We’re sorry; we know that can be stressful.

Our Tech Support team is here to help. If your child is already in a session, press the Help button (the white question mark in the top right corner of the classroom) to get immediate support.

If you’re having trouble joining a session, press the Get Support button on your Teams account page and wait to be admitted to our Tech Support Zoom room.

The Zoom room is open any time a class is in progress.

In some cases, access to the Teams site can depend on your network or location.

If the site isn’t loading, try switching networks or using a VPN connection.

For step-by-step guidance, please refer to our Technical Troubleshooting Guide, which covers common issues and detailed solutions.

If you’re still having trouble, feel free to reach out to us at teams@synthesis.com and we’ll be happy to help.

We’re always happy to hear from parents!

Email us at teams@synthesis.com with any questions. We’ll be glad to help.