Editor's Note: In this issue we introduce a third "HTH Learning Conversation." Feel free to respond to the reflection below-or
to introduce another topic by emailing Rob Riordan at rriordan@hightechhigh.org.
Virtually all the projects I've seen at HTH and in network
sites have required some form of inquiry, about topics
ranging from world religions to the price of plywood to
the opinions and preferences of a target audience. But
what happens to the findings? How do we help students
transform, rather than simply transmit, the content
they've uncovered in their investigations? How do we
help them get beyond "inert" knowledge? These are critical
questions for project design.
At one HTHL network site a couple of months ago, students
were studying Pacific Rim nations in conjunction
with the theme of "the connecting ocean." Their teachers
drafted a project design wherein student groups would each select a country, conduct
research about it, and compose a travel brochure about it, including basic facts and figures such
as population, major industries, religions, and tourism opportunities. At first glance, the project
seemed to allow plenty of choice (of country) and creativity: students would get information
and enhance it via formatting and graphics.
Upon reflection, the teachers realized that they wanted their students to do more than merely
organize the content and dress it up. Under their draft design, the knowledge gained via inquiry
would remain inert-taken from one (web) page and fed into another format-transferred, but not
transformed. Finally, one teacher suggested, "What if we asked students to go beyond a
brochure and design a tour?"
In its second iteration, the project plan required students to design a tour package for their
selected country, with parameters including at least five stops, a target audience, and certain
required features. They would have to plan the itinerary, making many choices-how many days,
what sites in what sequence, how to get to places (train? car? bus? plane?) where to stay, and
what to see. Finally, they would have to set a price for the tour and develop materials to promote
it. In the end, they might present their packages to a local travel agent for critical appraisal.
Successful student projects manifest a dynamic interaction between inquiry and product, driven
by student choices and resulting in student ownership and original work. In this case, by thinking
hard about the parameters and products of student work, our colleagues were able to facilitate
that dynamism. Let not our content be inert!
What happens to students after they graduate from High
Tech High schools? A new initiative has been launched to
answer that very question. Led by Rebecca Haddock,
Regional Director of Communications and Outreach, Chris
White, Director of College Advising, and Tina Alvarez,
Special Projects Coordinator, as well as a committee of six
students, High Tech High is launching an Alumni Relations
program in order to improve our ability to stay in contact
with HTH grads and keep them involved in the life of the
school in an ongoing way. Additionally, through this program,
we will improve our capacity to track the progress of
our graduates beyond their high school years to learn
whether we are meeting our goals of preparing students for
success in college and careers.
The two areas of focus for the program are Access and Involvement. Though establishing an
online database of HTH graduates, the Alumni Relations program will provide access to information
about campus events in an ongoing way, such as exhibitions, the internship showcase,
film screenings, poetry readings, science fairs, and commencement activities. An e-mail based
system will enable us to invite HTH alumni to such events.
The Alumni Relations program is also intended to support ongoing involvement in High Tech
High through alumni events and reunion activities. Former students will have access to information
about employment and volunteer opportunities with HTH and our community partners,
and current students will be able to contact graduates for information on the colleges and universities
they attend. If you have any questions or suggestions for the program, please contact
Tina Alvarez (talvarez@hightechhigh.org).
Camino Nuevo High School, Los Angeles, CA
Written by Cecybeth Granados, 9th Grader
Camino Nuevo's recent Integrated Arts Exhibition showed many different and unusual art pieces,
including painting, sculpture, jewelry, collage, and building design. All of the art had a unique
style and message. The artists were ninth graders attending the high school. Since the exhibition
presented many different forms of art, everyone that saw it found an art piece that they could
really enjoy. One that I liked was the art piece titled, Peace; the artist is Jennifer Garcia.
Jennifer's piece was a collage with many different pictures, all with the same message: peace.
Several pictures were arranged in a really orderly way. The huge light-blue peace sign covering
the whole paper made the artwork stand out.
Another piece of art that I noticed was by Jorge Benitez. The painting was titled, My Home,
Los Angeles. The painting is really fun to look at. It has bright colors and exciting shapes that
made it easy to appreciate. The painting is about what Los Angeles means to Jorge.
In all, this was a really great exhibition. All of the art pieces by the students were really unique.
There were many different styles and techniques displayed; this is why the art exhibition could
attract everyone's attention. There was an art piece to match everyone's taste!
City High School, Tucson, AZ
Students and teachers at City High School had a special
intersession schedule the last week of January as a transition
between first and second semesters. The week included academic,
service-oriented, and community-building components.
A highlight of the intersession was the "Community
Works" day on Tuesday. One group of students headed
north of Tucson to the Santa Cruz River to work on the
Audubon Society's river restoration project. Another group
took city buses to a nearby Head Start program and paired
up to work in bilingual toddler classes. A third group visited
the Armory Park Senior Center and participated in recreational
activities with senior citizens, playing unusual games
for the teenage generation, including shuffle board, jigsaw
puzzles and dominoes. A fourth group stayed at City High School and worked on project crews
at school, sprucing up the alley to be a hang-out space for students, painting accent walls
throughout the school, and hanging art work in the halls.
Students also spent time during the intersession preparing for their end-of-semester conferences
with parents and advisors, which took place on Thursday and Friday afternoons. Students
reviewed their coursework from first semester, developed their portfolios, and got ready to present
personally significant assignments. Another important aspect of the conferences was to help
students make connections between their course work and the school's habits of heart and
mind- reflection, expression, evidence, perspective, action, and inquiry - so that they understand
and can discuss their learning on a deeper level.
High Tech High Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
After just one semester in HTH-LA's wonderful new facility,
it is inspiring to see young minds being engaged by challenging
studies and responding with enthusiasm, creativity
and innovation. In the HTH-LA Robotics Program, students
created new parts on a CNC Lathe, an impressive
piece of manufacturing equipment donated by HAAS.
These parts were ordered and purchased from HTH-LA by
Team 900, a robotics team in Connecticut, which was
pleased with the high quality of the work and the on time
delivery. Meanwhile it is "building season" for HTH-LA's
FIRST Robotics team. Their kit of parts was delivered on
January 8 and the finished robot must be shipped on
February 22. Needless to say, Wendy Wooten and her 58
team members are burning the midnight oil! They are literally
working seven days a week to complete the project. This Spring, members of the team will
help run and compete in events in Los Angeles, Rochester, NY, San Jose, CA, and Atlanta, GA.
HTH-LA welcomed Los Angeles Valley College and the Regional Occupational Program to their
campus this semester to teach four elective classes: sociology, art appreciation, A+/CISCO, and
computer animation /web design. Additionally, teacher Mat McClenahan and principal Marsha
Rybin recently participated in a panel at the CCSA conference on the topic of using technology to
engage students and advance student achievement. Parents are swinging into action, too, with the
new partnership with VPLEX, which will be offering free computer classes to any interested HTHLA
parent. Starting this month, parents will learn about Microsoft Office applications, including
Word, Excel and PowerPoint; using the Internet; and sending and receiving email.
Finally, HTH-LA students held a fundraising "LAN Party," in which partygoers competed in fastpaced
games projected on the screen and had a great time using their state-of-the-art equipment.
Mirta Ramirez Computer Science Charter School, Chicago, IL
Mirta Ramirez Computer Science Charter School developed a partnership with Northwestern
University Kellogg's School of Business. This team management approach uses observation and
techniques to provide fresh ideas for operations. Junior Achievement uses corporate volunteers to
teach the Economics of Staying in School to 9th graders. A second class details Personal
Economics for 10th graders. A Chicago Public School initiative, After-School Matters, taught students
about good nutrition and dance for health. This past quarter, the Presentations of Learning
(POL) were student-painted murals about the freshman's own identity, family, culture and history.
Small groups of students depicted the pain and suffering of their ancestors. The sophomore
academy created a digital periodic table that will become digital in the second phase integrating
language arts into science. Another sophomore academy included a performance of students
reenacting the crucible. They also conducted upgrades on digital portfolio. The Oracle students
presented the initial steps for the data modeling for ASPIRA alumni database. The success of the
POLs was due to the fact that it was held in the evenings when parents could attend.
ASPIRA was granted a Renaissance 2010 school in the community of Albany Park, which is significantly
Latino. ASPIRA's successful track record will be duplicated with 6th, 7th and 8th
graders. This opportunity will allow ASPIRA to adequately prepare youth for high school and for
college through a student-centered approach with continuous support from parents, staff and
community working together. The school's foundation will be built upon the High Tech High
Design Principles of Common Intellectual Mission, Real World Application and Personalization.
Chicago Community Trust funded a project to provide professional development for all ASPIRA
schools for potentially three years. This project will specifically target the enhancement of teacher
effectiveness in a project-based learning, holistic, educational environment and teaching diverse
learners. The purpose is to create an effective model that may be disseminated and replicated by
schools serving similar communities.
New Bedford Global Learning Charter School, New Bedford, MA
The NBGLC Middle School presented its first POL's of the year just before holiday break.
Teachers and students felt very pleased with the rising level of student project work. The school is
presently holding Open Enrollment from January 1st to February 28th, and will host a lottery for
applicants on March 8th. Monthly grade level assemblies have become more and more studentcentered
and student-run. Assembly themes for the past few months have included discussions of
emotional safety and school climate, as well as incorporating numerous student POL's and Drama
presentations. The NBGLCS after-school program has grown to include the Ernestina Project,
Speech Academy, Project Insight, Title-I Math, Homework Club, Martial Arts and Talent Show.
The NBGLC High School began their Mentoring Program with training and networking sessions
for mentors taking place in January. Mentors were given an opportunity to learn about NBGLCS
as well as student's goals over a light breakfast. Principal Shelley Cohen has been facilitating a book
club with students. Meeting every Thursday, the group discusses recently read books over pizza
and soda. Two NBGLC Middle School teachers attended the HTH San Diego Winter Institute,
as did principal Shelley Cohen.
High Tech High Bayshore (formerly San Carlos High School), San Carlos, CA
HTH Bayshore has been busy preparing for its Community Open House scheduled for
February 17th at the site of their soon-to-be renovated building in Redwood City. Current and
potential students and parents will tour the new building (a former warehouse with dramatic
bowstring-truss construction) and look at architectural plans for transforming the space into a
dynamic High Tech High environment! Students will also exhibit presentations of learning,
walk visitors through their digital portfolios, and act out a scene from the school's upcoming
performance of Alice in Wonderland.
The open house will provide a forum for HTH Bayshore to introduce its program to residents
of Redwood City. Located 20 miles south of San Francisco and immediately adjacent to San
Carlos, where the school was located in temporary quarters during its first 2 years of operation,
Redwood City is a residential and industrial area poised to become the next hi-tech and biotechnology
center for Silicon Valley.
Back at the school, teachers continue to develop projects. Spanish and Humanities teachers
have been piloting an interdisciplinary project focusing on issues of migration and immigration,
with students presenting their findings in Spanish.
High Tech High, San Diego, CA
Thanks to the genius of Ray Trinidad, Director at High Tech Middle, we have modified our hiring
process somewhat this year. We had our first Teacher Hiring Bonanza on Friday, January 28,
in which fifteen candidates for teaching positions spent the day at High Tech High and High
Tech Middle. The candidates taught a class, interviewed with students, ate breakfast and lunch
with teachers, and generally got a great feel for our school. Students filled out feedback forms
about the class that was taught. Students who interviewed teachers met with HTH Director Ben
Daley to discuss their feedback. Teachers met at the end of the day to discuss their feedback on
the candidates. The day resulted in offers to five teaching candidates. All reported that putting
many candidates on the same day was more efficient, but still allowed for the in-depth look at
candidates that is so valued as part of our hiring process. The next Bonanza will be on
February 11.
HTH community meetings have improved dramatically in the past couple of months, as students
have taken more ownership of the meeting but also have been provided with more adult
guidance. We have community meeting every other week. Once a month the student government
organizes the meeting. Once a month four advisory groups plan the meeting. Highlights
of recent meetings have included poetry readings, limbo contests, and a music video of dancing
teachers.
High Tech Middle, San Diego, CA
High Tech Middle (HTM) ended the Fall Semester with a strong showing of Presentations of
Learning (POL) from the students. Community members, parents and partners viewed the students
present projects completed over the course of the semester. In addition to the strengthening
the students' presentation skills, this three-day event provided the teachers valuable
insights about their classrooms and curriculum.
With the new semester upon us, the school has made a concerted effort to strengthen the
already successful Advisory Program. Themes and Asset Development will still be the backbone
of the program, but connecting students to the advisor will be the main focus in many of
our staff development trainings. Service Learning and Environmental Projects will also be a priority
this semester. The San Diego ECO-center and the San Diego Volunteers are our nonprofit
partners that will work closely with us to develop solid projects that are in tune with the
major concepts of Service Learning.
In other news, there continues to be a strong showing of families trying to enroll their children
in High Tech Middle and the new High Tech Middle Media Arts. At the New Parent
Orientations, the school is filled beyond capacity with families filling out applications for the 05-
06 school year. Lastly, the California League of Middle Schools (CLMS) has selected HTM as a
Model School and will send fifty CLMS representatives to visit the school in March.
High Tech High International, San Diego, CA
High Tech High International held its first Presentations of Learning at the end of the first semester.
Students used their digital portfolios to demonstrate growth in humanities, math/science and
an elective through their projects. Outside panelists helped students look at their work with a critical
eye and reflect on lessons learned from the first semester. Students also discussed personal and
academic goals for the next semester.
Two HTHI teachers, Jen Peterson and Andy Magness, will travel to Tajikistan for 3 weeks through
the state funded Tajikistan Connectivity Project. This is an on-going project that involved teachers
from Tajikistan visiting HTH International this fall. Both teachers will be investigating an openended
question, such as "How is culture reflected in the pedagogy of schools?", and bringing their
work back to the staff. The video teleconferencing in the UN Theatre is now operational. We are
excited to find ways to connect with our sister schools around the world and engage in meaningful,
project-based work, including a possible collaboration with a school in Japan that is set up
video teleconferencing and also does Model United Nations with their students.
Virtually all the projects I've seen at HTH and in network
sites have required some form of inquiry, about topics
ranging from world religions to the price of plywood to
the opinions and preferences of a target audience. But
what happens to the findings? How do we help students
transform, rather than simply transmit, the content
they've uncovered in their investigations? How do we
help them get beyond "inert" knowledge? These are critical
questions for project design.
What happens to students after they graduate from High
Tech High schools? A new initiative has been launched to
answer that very question. Led by Rebecca Haddock,
Regional Director of Communications and Outreach, Chris
White, Director of College Advising, and Tina Alvarez,
Special Projects Coordinator, as well as a committee of six
students, High Tech High is launching an Alumni Relations
program in order to improve our ability to stay in contact
with HTH grads and keep them involved in the life of the
school in an ongoing way. Additionally, through this program,
we will improve our capacity to track the progress of
our graduates beyond their high school years to learn
whether we are meeting our goals of preparing students for
success in college and careers.
Students and teachers at City High School had a special
intersession schedule the last week of January as a transition
between first and second semesters. The week included academic,
service-oriented, and community-building components.
A highlight of the intersession was the "Community
Works" day on Tuesday. One group of students headed
north of Tucson to the Santa Cruz River to work on the
Audubon Society's river restoration project. Another group
took city buses to a nearby Head Start program and paired
up to work in bilingual toddler classes. A third group visited
the Armory Park Senior Center and participated in recreational
activities with senior citizens, playing unusual games
for the teenage generation, including shuffle board, jigsaw
puzzles and dominoes. A fourth group stayed at City High School and worked on project crews
at school, sprucing up the alley to be a hang-out space for students, painting accent walls
throughout the school, and hanging art work in the halls.
After just one semester in HTH-LA's wonderful new facility,
it is inspiring to see young minds being engaged by challenging
studies and responding with enthusiasm, creativity
and innovation. In the HTH-LA Robotics Program, students
created new parts on a CNC Lathe, an impressive
piece of manufacturing equipment donated by HAAS.
These parts were ordered and purchased from HTH-LA by
Team 900, a robotics team in Connecticut, which was
pleased with the high quality of the work and the on time
delivery. Meanwhile it is "building season" for HTH-LA's
FIRST Robotics team. Their kit of parts was delivered on
January 8 and the finished robot must be shipped on
February 22. Needless to say, Wendy Wooten and her 58
team members are burning the midnight oil! They are literally
working seven days a week to complete the project. This Spring, members of the team will
help run and compete in events in Los Angeles, Rochester, NY, San Jose, CA, and Atlanta, GA.