Idea, brainstorm and research, make a plan, create and test, improve and communicate. These are the steps that our scholars went through this week.  In our final day of Lucas 2015, scholars amazed us all with an absolutely stunning exhibition. Throughout the week, our scholars were totally invested. Here is a snapshot of what was seen and heard this week:

What is a nucleus? Be precise in lab. I’m gonna make a Godzilla. What is hummingbird gonna do? Whew, that Cinderella has stinky feet! This is like one of those high school movie labs. Can I get a light sensor? Can you whip? I can’t believe I am doing this right now! Our Minion is alive! Do you want help?…It doesn’t matter, we’ll figure it out. Everything looks awesome! 

It was a crazy, hectic, exhausting week of scholarship. Lucas 2015 demonstrated the power of student choice, creativity and passion. As the dust settles, our Lucas staff is as engaged as ever to raise the bar for Lucas 2016. Till next year. 

Pensar en una idea, investigar, planear, construir y evaluar, mejorar y comunicar. Estos son los pasos por los que pasaron nuestros estudiantes esta semana. En el último día del programa, nos sorprendieron con una exhibición espectacular. Por toda la semana se dedicaron a sus proyectos. Aquí hay una breve muestra de lo que se vio y se oyó esta semana:
Qué es un núcleo? Hay que ser preciso en el laboratorio, Voy a hacer un Godzilla. Qué va a hacer un picaflor? Uf, a esa Cenicienta le hieden los pies. Este parece uno de esos laboratorios de películas de la escuela secundaria. Me pasas un sensor de luz? Puedes batir? No puedo creer que estoy haciendo esto ahora. Nuestro Minion está vivo! Necesitas ayuda? …. No importa, nos las ingeniaremos. Todo se ve super!

Fue una semana de locura, agotadora y con muchos conocimientos. Lucas 2015 demostró el poder que tiene permitir que el estudiante escoja, que sea creativo y sienta pasión por lo que hace. A medida que se van calmando las cosas los empleados de Lucas Scholars estamos decididos como siempre en dar lo mejor de nosotros y exigirnos aún más para el 2016. Hasta el año próximo.

Day four was all about building and improving our prototypes. Our scholars arrived on campus hungry to dive back into their projects. Learning how to use Adobe Illustrator in order to get an accurate  Laser Cutting proved a daunting task that our scholars and our mentors were game for. Table saws were cranking, clay was being modeled and remodeled, and sets were being painted and superimposed upon throughout the day. We even had a Facetime check in from an absent group member. That is passion scholars. 

At this writing, 3D printers are still humming along in the background and many goals are yet to be met. Friday is our final build day before the exhibition. Scholars and mentors get ready...One Day More.  

En el día 4 nuestros estudiantes construyeron y mejoraron los prototipos. Llegaron a St. Matthews llenos de ganas de dedicarse a sus proyectos. Nuestros mentores y estudiantes aprendieron cómo usar Abobe Illustrator para poder cortar con rayos láser correctamente. Vimos cortar a las sierra y modelar la arcilla, mientras se pintaban y decoraban escenarios. Inclusive los estudiantes tuvieron una conversación a través de FaceTime con uno de sus compañeros ausentes. Eso es pasión!

Mientras escribo estas lineas, se escucha el ronroneo de impresoras de 3 dimensiones. Todavía queda mucho por hacer. El viernes es el último día para terminar los proyectos antes de la exhibición. A los estudiantes y los mentores, que se preparen: Queda un día más!

Okay….exhale. It was an amazing Day 3 of Lucas Scholars. The day started off with our scholars declaring their group and stating what their project will be. We have: a merry go round, Minions, armor, Godzilla, cars, houses, a helicopter and even a movie starring a chocolate chip. These projects and more are being prototyped, tested, and improved upon. Our scholars were focused throughout the day and demonstrated their advanced Hummingbird skills and a few groups even started laser cutting. Day four looms large, but I know our scholars are ready for the challenges and the success that they will encounter. 

Work Together. Have Fun. Be A Scholar. 

Respiren profundo… El tercer día fue increíble. Comenzó con nuestros estudiantes declarando en qué proyecto van a trabajar y con quién. Tenemos lo siguiente: Una rueda de Chicago, Minions, armadura, Godzilla, carros, casas, un helicóptero e inclusive una película sobre una galleta de chocolate. Los estudiantes están haciendo prototipos de los proyectos, ensayándolos y mejorándolos. Nuestros estudiantes pasaron el día concentrados en sus proyectos y mostrando sus conocimientos de Hummingbird y algunos de ellos comenzaron a cortar con rayos láser. El día 4 se acerca y esperamos mucho de él, pero sabemos que nuestros estudiantes están listos para los retos y los éxitos que van a encontrar.

In our second day, we asked our scholars to push further and dig a little bit deeper.  Observing our four scheduled sessions, it was apparent that our scholars were up to the task.

With Hummingbird, scholars moved beyond the dynamics of the board itself and learned how to “sequence build” through manipulating a variety of sensors. In room 502, DNA was coded then transcripted to reveal a unique message about a famous rock group. Students even learned how very close we are to a chicken…well, genetically speaking. With Tom Diggs in FAR, Songs, Lyrics and Poems became an opportunity for critique and creation of the aforementioned, with de-coding and creating rhymes taking center state. Last but not least, the day would not be complete without some good old fashioned computer coding. Led by Ryan Baber of Nine Dots, scholars learned the basics of Java Script. Big shout out to Ryan for adding his skills to our Lucas Team.

Now, at Lucas Scholars we don’t just work hard, we are also committed to having fun. Thanks to teacher and life guard specialist Rebecca Waid, we were able to enjoy an awesome pool day and then settle up for a healthy serving of breakfast for lunch. 

Looking ahead to Day 3, the fun and the creative chaos will really set in. Scholars left today with the challenge of creating their own group and deciding on a project that they will create for Friday’s exhibition. It has been an amazing and largely teacher directed two days, now it is time for our scholars to take control. 

Till tomorrow. 

Lucas Scholars Día 2

En el segundo día les pedimos a nuestros estudiantes que pensaran más a fondo. Nos dimos cuenta que podían hacerlo cuando los observamos en clase.

En la clase de Hummingbird los estudiantes ya habían aprendido las posibilidades del tablero. Hoy comenzaron a construir secuencias, usando diferentes sensores. En la clase 502, los estudiantes descodificaron la frase “Los Beatles son la mejor banda de Rock” copiando el proceso de pasar de DNA a proteínas. También aprendieron cuánto nos parecemos a un pollo, genéticamente hablando. En la clase de Songs Lyrics and Poems con Tom Diggs los estudiantes criticaron y crearon canciones y poemas, con la creación de rimas como la actividad más importante. Claro, el día no puede considerarse completo sin incluir un poco de codificación. Ryan Baber de la compañía Nine Dots les enseñó los principios básicos de Java Script. Gracias Ryan por traer tus conocimientos al Lucas Scholars program.

Pero como no estamos aquí sólo para trabajar duro sino también para divertirnos, los estudiantes se divirtieron de lo lindo en la piscina. Rebecca Waid hizo las veces de salvavidas. Después de nadar disfrutamos de un delicioso almuerzo tipo desayuno.

Mañana en nuestro Día 3 es cuando la diversión caótica comienza de veras. Nuestros estudiantes se fueron a casa hoy con un reto: decidir un proyecto en el que van a trabajar en los próximos tres días usando los conceptos que aprendieron con los profesores en los Días 1 y 2. Ahora es el turno de los estudiantes de mostrarnos lo que pueden hacer en la exhibición del viernes. 

Hasta mañana

Whoa! The start of Lucas is finally upon us! After our 32 scholars arrived on campus and had a brief tour, we started in on our first code challenge...The Human Knot! Split into four groups, our scholars had to work together to untangle themselves. Through teamwork, communication and a surprising amount of flexibility, the scholars of 2015 were able to all complete this first code challenge.  After this quick team building exercise, our scholars rotated through four sessions. The basics of Hummingbird with John demonstrated how much background knowledge our scholars are bringing in. iPads with Rey was a big hit with Tellagami interviews taking center stage. Tom was at the helm in FAR guiding our scholars through the storytelling process and Rebecca had each scholar separate their DNA into a wearable necklace!  In addition to all of that, we had a fierce game of soccer at lunch with our Lucas volunteers really showing off some skill, (even after eating the delicious spaghetti and meatball cuisine that Jillian put together for our whole group).

We are only on Day One and our scholars are already amazing us.  Their work ethic, curiosity and willingness to let loose and have fun all point to a great 2015 Lucas experience. 

A few take aways and reminders: 
-We have a pool day tomorrow so please remember to bring a bathing suit and towel 
-Bus pickup for NYA is at 8:05 and VB&G is at 8:20. Be there.  

Primer día de Lucas Scholars 2015
27 de julio, 2015

Por fin llegó el comienzo de Lucas! Nuestros 32 estudiantes llegaron y después de un breve tour, comenzamos nuestro primer reto: El Nudo Humano! Nuestros estudiantes se dividieron en cuatro grupos y tuvieron que trabajar en equipo para desenredar el nudo que habían hecho con sus cuerpos. Con el trabajo en equipo, buena comunicación y una buena dosis de flexibilidad, los estudiantes de 2015 lograron completar el primer reto. Después de este rápido ejercicio, nuestros estudiantes rotaron por cuatro secciones. En la sección de Hummingbird básico con John, los estudiantes demostraron cuánto conocimiento previo tenían. La sección de ipad con Rey fue todo un éxito cuando usaron Tellagami para hacer entrevistas. Tom estuvo al mando  guiando a nuestros estudiantes en el proceso de narrar una historia, mientras los estudiantes de Rebecca separaron su DNA y lo lucieron en un collar! Además de todo esto, jugamos fútbol a la hora del almuerzo con nuestros voluntarios mostrando su talento, y eso después de comer deliciosos espaguetis con albóndigas que Jillian trajo para todos. Sólo vamos en el primer año y nuestros estudiantes ya nos están sorprendiendo.  Su responsabilidad, curiosidad y ganas de disfrutar y aprender indican que Lucas 2015 será todo un éxito. 

Unos cuantos anuncios:
-Mañana vamos a nadar, así que no olviden traer toalla y traje de baño
-El autobús sale de NYA a las 8:05 y de VB&G a las 8:20.  Lleguen a tiempo.

Today was the calm before the scholars. 

After some much needed coffee and donuts, the Lucas Team dug into the logistics of setting up our spaces and preparing for the 32 scholars arriving on Monday. 

A big shout out to the whole Lucas Team: John Umekubo, Tom Diggs, Manny Quintero, Reynaldo Macias, Jillian Esby, Rebecca Waid, Dijanna Figueroa, and Gabi Marquez. This amazing group of educators showed up today with energy, enthusiasm and a clear passion for the craft of teaching. Another shout out to the founder of the Lucas Program, Kate Ward. Without her guiding spirit this week would not be possible. Thank you Kate. 

The schedule is set, the rooms are ready, our Hummingbird kits are begging to be put to use and as a team we are ready to Work Hard, Have Fun and Be Scholars.  

Stay Tuned! Lucas 2015 begins Monday, July 27th. 

Day Three of LSP (poetry, did you notice?) saw Scholars changing gears from taking in information to creating their own expression!

After Code Challenge #3, creating their own codes to communicate birthdays with other Scholars, Mrs. Ward outlined the LSP final project, where Scholars chose their own groups and topics, and then got to work! From planning to materials to culmination, the groups (with a little input from Mentors and Volunteers) exploded in a creative frenzy in the Middle School Art Room, the Science Lab, PIRL Terrace and other little nooks and crannies around campus!

For almost three straight hours, LSP was a beehive of scholarly activity, super fun projects, and creative problem-solving...the laser cutter, two 3D printers, various iPads and laptops, paint brushes, clay tablets, table saws, drills, Hummingbirds...and the list goes on and on.

It'll be exciting to see what the Scholars produce with a couple of days more to work on their ideas!

"I want to go to this school!" someone yelled, as they learned about cellular transcription and translation in the science fun zone to start the day.

With guest teachers showing students how to Scratch, and Mrs. Ward overseeing a race to replicate the DNA-MRNA-protein production of a cell, Day 2 of LSP made students think, smile and work!  Today also saw hamburgers pleading not to be eaten, black holes conversing with stars,  and Scholars attempting to survive CHAOS with Mr. Diggs, before settling back into building circuits and programming with Mr. Umekubo.

All that thinking, though, made some people hot...so we went swimming, where a few learned about underwater SCUBA-diver code while most of the Scholars lived up the saying, "work hard, play hard:)". After a quick lunch of tacos, and a long stretch on the Meadow, the Scholars got back to work coding, characterizing, replicating and programming until the most popular block - Tinker Time!

Whether it's the choice to learn what they want, or the variety of hands-on activities, it seems that Lucas Scholars can't wait to get to the Tinker Time. Today's options included Scratch, the wind tunnel, Makey Makey, Scribblebots and wearable electronics.  With all this excitement and fun-style learning, tomorrow's surprises and activities have got to be awesome!

From Hummingbird to DNA, Shakespeare to Tellagami, the 2014 Lucas Scholar Project took off like a rocket! The Scholars moved from fun zone to fun zone, fueled by healthy snacks and driven by intense curiosity and abundant enthusiasm, asking questions, making movies, learning about cracking the code of their own DNA and then putting it in a necklace:)  The first day was literally loaded with smiles, weighted with wonder and filled with the possibility of learning and having fun at the same time!
Mrs. Ward and Mr Harlan set a great tone that sent the faculty and scholars off on an energetic chase to break each and every code they could find, and start wrapping their brains around the robots they want to build, the lasers they want to use to cut, and of course the underwater codes they want to learn tomorrow.
We just can't wait!

Our final day at LSP was quite a whirlwind. Scholars finished up their final touches on projects and video presentations to get ready for their parents arrival in the evening. Tellagami was a hit, and a number of Scholars included their avatar into the final project video.

It wasn't all work, however, as Scholars had time to go down to the pool for a swim, and enjoy pizza bagels for lunch. 

In the evening, the Frost Assembly Room (FAR) was set up with tables for display of projects, along with iPads to get feedback from parents and participants about the week. The wave machine, wind tunnel, and makey makeys also found a place in the exhibit, so scholars could show their learning in a number of ways.

As parents and other relatives arrived, Scholars were at their best, describing the process of designing and constructing their projects, and testing their hypotheses. Through exhibit style, groups shared projects on lasers through water, solar ovens, shake tables and Oobleck! Their iPads were on display as well, showing the videos that documented their process.

We took a short break to have dinner, a BBQ up in the lower school, and returned for the graduation ceremony.

Ms. Gatewood played the slideshow she created of the week. Beautiful pictures and video, music, and a box of kleenex! What a way to end the week! We hope to have that slideshow here on the website very soon.

Ms. Sauerfhoff then shared her feelings about the week, discussed the process, and congratulated all the scholars on a job well done. Diplomas were distributed to the graduates, and each one got up to not only receive the diploma, but to symbolically place their iPad in the charging cart, all of which will be delivered to the Boys and Girls Club of Venice, its new permanent home.

Thank you to Valentin, the Boys and Girls Club of Venice, and Scholars for an incredible week!