HTHSCV - Our purpose, our ideas, our work…part 2
- Dr. Richard L. Biffle, III
- Mar 20, 2018
- 2 min read
The following projects are a continuation of the previous blog entry.
Monarch School Project – Restoring Dignity Project
Instructors: Ted (Physics /Engineering); Anna (Humanities); Britt (Humanities); Regina (Physics)
Summary: The HTHSCV Restoring Dignity Project is a continuation of previous projects (such as “Tiny Homes”) associated with addressing the problems of homelessness, and the challenges faced by displaced and un-sheltered students in San Diego.
In partnership with the Monarch School, HTHSCV students (in Ted and Anna’s classes) have designed and created two “items” for each “Kinder Buddy" at the Monarch School. Each MS “kinder buddy” will receive an illustrated story book and a beautifully designed laser crafted solar night lite designed, created and made by their “HTHSCV buddy.”
Monarch School is a public K-12 school in San Diego, California, which is exclusively for students who are homeless, at risk of being homeless, or impacted by homelessness. It is the only such school in the United States. The school enrolls approximately 350 students ranging in age from 4 to 19, and was in founded in 1988. In addition to a comprehensive educational program, the school is able to provide for other needs such as food, hygiene, clothing, school supplies, transportation and counseling.
Britt and Regina’s students are also working on several projects addressing the realities of displaced and homeless people. These include a “WAO Box” (meaning “We are one”) that has an assortment of useful hygiene items; solar phone chargers; and portable shower “heads.” Students are also creating graphic pencil drawings from a photo image of specific streets in North Park – SD, where homelessness is prevalent. Lastly, students will be constructing one of the “tiny homes” on campus representing alternative living spaces that are dignified and contribute to restoring one’s self-respect.
Mars Lunar Landscape Project - The Mars Yard
Instructors: Kara (Physics); Kandy (Humanities; Phil (Art); Mat (1st grade)
Summary: A scale replica of the Martian lunar landscape created in the classroom provides students an engaging and informative discussion of Mars! This “scale model” provides a training area for design of lunar robot vehicles, map route layout, coding and programming elements in robot design, and “all things” related planning a trip to Mars. In addition, the class is partnered with a 1st grade class (from HTElem) who are participating in a similar exploration that includes coding and programming, and designing and operating lunar vehicles!
Social Justice -- Community Conversations/Dialogues/Debates
Instructors: Char (Humanities); Yoli (Spanish)
Summary: An investigation and engaging discussion involving readings, interpretations, arguments and debates, and artistic representations (performing and visual) pertaining to historic and contemporary issues in a wide range of cultural, legal, political, social, economic, and policy issues facing the U.S. Students are also designing “album covers” as part of “community conversations and debates,” and how to catch the attention of the “viewer” while giving a “visual representation of the thoughts and words within.”
“Self Portraits – Social Advocate Project”
Instructors: Nuvia (Biology); Indira (Humanities)
Summary: A collection of two projects related to what it means to be a social advocate and how this is represented. Students create a “social advocate stencil portrait” using thumbnail
sketches and experiments with composition by photographing themselves in a pose, as well as using Photoshop elements and techniques. This portraiture is a blending of artistic expression supported by ethnographic research in creating social and cultural dialogue.
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