Industry Partners Ignite Students’ Learning Through Real-World Applications
This Fall, Da Vinci students across our high schools immersed themselves in captivating projects that seamlessly bridged the gap between traditional classroom education and real-world applications. In collaboration with our dedicated teachers and industry partners, our students participated in a journey of discovery, innovation, and meaningful connection with the world beyond the classroom. The range of projects and initiatives that students engaged in this semester alongside our industry partners echoes the diversity of experiences our students are exposed to.
Unveiling Real-World Experiences Through Journalism
In Adam Watson’s Multimedia Journalism Pathway at Da Vinci Communications, juniors have been partnering with AfroLA, a nonprofit community-centered newsroom with an emphasis on telling stories through the lens of the Black community, to cover climate and sustainability in the local area. Students are working on segments that delve deep into critical issues affecting our community, from understanding the harmful impacts of oil infrastructure and rerouting industrial traffic through residential areas, to exploring the correlation between air pollution and poor health outcomes in vulnerable communities.
“I’m very excited that AfroLA was able to team up with Da Vinci Communications students once again, this time in an expanded capacity,” said Dana Amihere, AfroLA’s founder/executive director. “I appreciate that the school staff has allowed AfroLA and our project partner, Black Women Photographers (BWP), the space and flexibility to dream big with the students to help them produce work they can be proud of while also getting unique hands-on professional experiences. I’m thrilled that this multi-faceted project centers community and youth, two things underpinning AfroLA’s mission.”
The students’ podcast interviews feature voices of community residents from Wilmington, Inglewood, and Leimert Park as well as community advocates like Regina Martin, the Community Health and Outreach Worker with Black Women for Wellness, and experts like Michael Rincon, Research and Policy Manager at Physicians for Social Responsibility Los Angeles. Students’ podcasts will debut in an immersive art gallery exhibition with BWP’s documentary photo work in 2024. The show’s audio and photos will also be featured as part of reporting on AfroLA’s website.
Bridging Education and Industry Mentorship at Connect High School
Da Vinci Connect High School students are actively working with Portal Learning, a nonprofit that seeks to bridge the gap between education and employment. Close to 50 Connect High students have been attending the Portal career-connected learning program at Belkin International, engaging with several employer partners, including Belkin and Fabletics, on project consults. Students have been learning about AI, product design, space/interior design, and education innovation. These experiences have enabled students to gain professional skills and learn about design thinking in an authentic and experiential way.
Connect High students also were excited to go on a tour of Snap Inc. HQ, learning about Snap’s innovative work environment and gaining valuable insights into their mission.
“The tour was enlightening, showcasing the innovative work environment and giving us a real feel of Snap’s vibrant culture,” shared Ava De Jesus, a junior at Da Vinci Connect High. “I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity, especially for the chance to connect and network with Harmony Simpson and Vanessa Valerio. This experience has not only broadened my perspective on career possibilities but also solidified my passion for the tech industry.”
Preserving Aviation Heritage at the Western Museum of Flight
In Katherine Simon’s senior Architecture Pathway class at Da Vinci Design, students are elevating their learning experience through a collaborative project with the Western Museum of Flight, dedicated to preserving Southern California’s aviation heritage. Tasked with designing and executing both the facade and interior of a new building for the museum, students are delving into the foundations of architectural design, and acquiring critical skills in spatial planning, creative problem-solving, and attention to historical detail.
Sofia Comitz, Da Vinci Design architecture pathway senior shared, “This project is really fun to me because my little cousin loves to go plane spotting and we both really like airplanes. I’ve been learning a lot about John Montgomery who designed the first manned glider. I have gathered a lot of inspiration from him and have designed windows that resemble the under-wing of his 1883 glider.”
As students engage with this project, they are helping to create more than a structure. They feel empowered to participate in the preservation efforts of a local community landmark and to gain unique insights into the rich tapestry of aviation history.
“We are most pleased to match our capabilities and opportunities with your students’ talents. It would be hard to find a more natural partnership. This kind of symbiosis is fully consistent with our primary mission of sharing our docents’ knowledge and experience, as well as our venue, artifacts, and archives. We eagerly anticipate the results of their good work,” shared Cindy Macha, the Executive Director of the Western Museum of Flight.
Students will be sharing their final designs in the spring of 2024.
Da Vinci RISE Students Connect with Healthcare and Retail Pathways
Cotton On Foundation and Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine brought exciting hands-on career exploration sessions to our students at Da Vinci RISE High School.
The Cotton On Foundation Retail Academy Program is a dynamic initiative designed to empower young learners by refining their career readiness skills and exposing them to a wide range of career opportunities in the retail industry. Each week, a mentor from the Cotton On team would visit a group of RISE students and engage them in role-playing exercises that developed their confidence and helped them refine their resume and interviewing skills. One of the sessions that was most enjoyed by students was a discussion about the role of visual merchandisers, and how marketing principles are applied in ways that boost sales.
Shandy Bautista, a RISE 11th grader, shared that participating in this program allowed her to learn about branding which she hopes will help her in her journey to becoming a nail technician.
Ginger Castillo, a RISE senior, was also excited to engage with the Cotton On mentors, “They taught me how to prepare for an interview, how to sit properly, make eye contact, and use professional words. I’ve only had one job so far, so this was very helpful. The mentors were very cool.”
This fall, medical students from Kaiser Permanente’s School of Medicine (KPSOM) are offering a cohort of RISE students exposure to medical and healthcare career pathways. Through a series of enlightening sessions focused on the cardiovascular system, these students are gaining hands-on insights into the world of medicine. This collaborative initiative helps students broaden their knowledge of anatomy and physiology, as well as providing important exposure to the diversity and range of medical healthcare programs and career paths.
Dr. Emily Green, Da Vinci’s Director of Health Services shares, “Providing students with opportunities for face-to-face interactions with medical students who come from a variety of backgrounds is a wonderful way to have students see the different pathways that lead to a career in medicine. Working with medical students with shared life experiences makes advanced training and higher education seem tangible and more accessible. Our students are energized to participate in future sessions!”
A Creative Odyssey with Gensler
In the Civil Engineering Pathway at Da Vinci Science, students embarked on a creative odyssey by collaborating with Gensler, a global architecture, design, and planning firm, for a semester-long design project. Students were tasked to work in groups and conceive improbable objects that would reshape the narratives of popular movies and series, guided by a professional mentor. Students meticulously crafted story props, incorporating elements of costume design, robotics, and unconventional materials.
From envisioning a world of magical masks and maps for Robin Hood to designing an AI-controlled Willy Wonka top hat, our students showcased not only their creativity and storytelling abilities but also their proficiency in material composition.
Josiah Fu, a Da Vinci Science senior, shared “My object is a staff with a globe shape that is intended to drain the brains of the characters in the Lego Movie and unleash their creativity so they can defeat the main villain. My object was made of aluminum wires since it’s a very pliable material, and I added translucent vinyl for color. My Gensler mentor, Sounia Gmira, encouraged us to use AI to generate ideas and guided us through the project with brainstorming exercises.”
The culmination of the student projects took place at Gensler’s Los Angeles offices earlier this month, where a panel of designers evaluated their projects. The mentors provided overwhelmingly positive feedback, commending the students for their dedication and craftsmanship.
Andrew McGregor, the Civil Engineering Pathway teacher commented on this experience, “The mentorship aspect of this project is what makes it special. Having professional architects challenge students’ ideas and notions of story, design, and fabrication and how they inform one another was a privilege to witness. Real learning is messy, challenging, and requires deep attention and that’s exactly what the students experienced. It’s a joy for me to build out these experiences for our students alongside these professionals.”
A Note of Gratitude
As we reflect on these extraordinary projects, we extend our deepest gratitude to our community and industry partners. Together, we are not just educating students; we are inspiring the next generation of leaders and creative problem solvers, preparing them to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of education and to work with confidence and purpose.
