Student Voice & Projects

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“I have gained a deeper understanding of what democracy is and how I can use activism to shape democracy in this country
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— -Emma, Grade 9, Idaho
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Art of the Interview

“Thank you so much for the experience I have gained from this program. I have learned so much about myself and my artistic abilities as a journalist that I never would have discovered if not for this program.”
-Julianna, New York City, Grade 9

“Thank you so much! This was a fantastic learning experience and life experience. I have learned so much that will stick with me throughout my life. Thank you for this amazing opportunity, it was fantastic.”
-Calla, Washington DC, Grade 8

Art of the Interview Student Projects

 
Action Lab Blog
Design Solutions to Ocean Pollution: Anouk’s Podcast Interview with Jason Klimoski
Design Solutions to Ocean Pollution: Anouk’s Podcast Interview with Jason Klimoski

Ever wondered how design and architecture can be vehicles to raise awareness about issues that threaten the well-being of our communities? In this interview, Anouk cuts to the core about what motivates the work of Studio KCA, an environmentally-minded architecture and design firm led by Jason Klimoski and Lesley Chang. With editing prowess and production creativity, Anouk highlights their most curious project — a 9 meter tall whale sculpture made of plastic collected out of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

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Loss and Love: Olive’s Podcast Interview with Aunt Kara
Loss and Love: Olive’s Podcast Interview with Aunt Kara

In this intimate and vulnerable conversation between aunt and niece, Olive and Aunt Kara share in the grief of the recent loss of Aunt Kara’s son, a young boy the same age as Olive, who recently died from Cancer. In this profound story of loss and appreciation, this podcast reveals the importance of two of the most important elements of interview: care and listening.

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Transition to College: Tyra’s Art of the Interview Podcast With Her Brother David
Transition to College: Tyra’s Art of the Interview Podcast With Her Brother David

8th grader Tyra conducts a podcast interview with her brother David about being a Freshman at the University of Virginia. They discuss the transition to college, racism on campus, and more.

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An Interview with Architectural Digest Editor-in-Chief: Cuatro’s Art of the Interview Podcast
An Interview with Architectural Digest Editor-in-Chief: Cuatro’s Art of the Interview Podcast

10th grader Cuatro interviews Architectural Digest Editor-in-Chief Amy Astley for his Art of the Interview podcast. They discuss her journey from being a passionate ballerina to world-renowned journalist and how the world of fantasy, books, and words continues to inspire her.

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Democracy Action Lab

“Democracy is making sure that everyone has a voice and an opinion and the their opinion is valued.”
- Bushra, Grade 10, Manhattan

“It has made me realize how much I can do on my own.”
-Anna, Grade 12 , Brooklyn, NY

“Because I had never tried art as activism before, I have learned that it is not only fun, but also very effective.”
-Emma, Grade 9, Idaho

“I loved the course! It was fun and the vibe/energy in the course was amazing.”
-Iqra, Grade 11, Rhode Island

Click here for the Fall 2020 Democracy Action Lab Syllabus

Democracy Action Lab Student Projects

 
Action Lab Blog
An Unjust Legal Loophole: Lucy’s Take on the LGBTQ Panic Defense and the State of Queer Rights
An Unjust Legal Loophole: Lucy’s Take on the LGBTQ Panic Defense and the State of Queer Rights

Queer rights in America have a turbulent past and a surprisingly troubled present. For her final project in the Democracy Action Lab, Lucy explores a sinister and unjust legal loophole called the LGBTQ Panic Defense. Her video — written, produced, directed, and edited by her — takes us through the intricacies of the panic defense and documents the state of queer rights in today’s America.

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LGBTQ+ Rights in America: Iqra's Democracy Action Lab PSA Project
LGBTQ+ Rights in America: Iqra's Democracy Action Lab PSA Project

For her final project in our Democracy Action Lab, 11th grader Iqra from Cranston, RI creates video PSA of the modern history of LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S. From the Stonewall Riots in 1969 to the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015, watch to learn Iqra's take on this important thread in our history.

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Sustainable Fashion Lab

“Moving forward, I will re-use and re-make clothing, and will donate my clothes and think before I buy anything!”
-Panchami, Grade 10, India

“I met such good teachers who are engaging and made me so comfortable as I was using zoom for the first time.”
-Maali, Grade 7, Brooklyn, NY

Click here for the Fall 2020 Sustainable Fashion Lab Syllabus

Sustainable Fashion Lab Student Projects

 
Action Lab Blog
Patchwork Jeans: Amanda’s Stylish and Sustainable Solution to Outgrown Clothes
Patchwork Jeans: Amanda’s Stylish and Sustainable Solution to Outgrown Clothes

The fashion industry is one of the most environmentally unsustainable industries in the world. For her final project in the Sustainable Fashion Lab, Amanda demonstrates how innovation and effort can lead to stunning solutions to the industry's waste issue. These patchwork jeans make sustainability synonymous with style!

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Sari, Not Sorry: Panchami's Final Upcycling Project for the Sustainable Fashion Lab
Sari, Not Sorry: Panchami's Final Upcycling Project for the Sustainable Fashion Lab

Ever wanted to bring some life back into a piece of your parent’s old clothes? Well, 10th grader Panchami from Banglore, India did just that, transforming pieces of her mother’s old sari into revamped shirts and matching earrings for her final project in our Sustainable Fashion Lab. Watch this video on Panchami’s project to see the magic of sustainable fashion!

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Climate Action Lab

“A lot of people think that their small efforts aren’t going to do anything to the bigger picture. But if it’s a lot of people making those small efforts, then the change is obviously going to be bigger.”
- Jahel, Grade 12, Bloomfield, CT

“[My poster] is... symbolic for me — letting me know that there’s a way for things to get better.”
- Sifa, Grade 11, St. Louis, MO

Climate Action Lab Student Projects

 
Action Lab Blog
Kelp Biofuels: Sifa’s Climate Change Solution
Climate Action Lab
Kelp Biofuels: Sifa’s Climate Change Solution
Climate Action Lab

Interested in learning about alternative biofuel sources that can help minimize human impacts on the environment? Well look no further! For her Climate Action Lab final project, St. Louis junior Sifa dove into the world of sea kelp and explored how it might hold the key to safe, clean and sustainable energy for our future! This Digital Portfolio highlights Sifa’s process of researching, crafting, and directing her very own climate action plan.

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Climate Action Lab
Plastic-filled Amigurumis: Jahel’s Creative Approach to Sustainability
Climate Action Lab
Plastic-filled Amigurumis: Jahel’s Creative Approach to Sustainability
Climate Action Lab

Environmentally-conscious creatives now have yet another way to participate in the climate movement: creating plastic-filled amigurumis, which are knit or crocheted animal toys originating from the Japanese art form amigurumi. For her final project in the Climate Action Lab, Bloomfield senior Jahel demonstrates how to make amigurumis while cleaning plastic pollution from our ocean. Instead of stuffing her amigurumis with environmentally unfriendly stuffing, Jahel brilliantly combines artisanship with activism by stuffing her creatures with plastic waste. In this Digital Portfolio, explore Jahel’s process of devising, researching, and presenting her climate action plan.

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Climate Action Lab

Documentary Filmmaking Lab

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Documentary Filmmaking Lab Student Projects

 
Action Lab Blog
Rising Waters in Rockaway: An Exploration of the Local Effects of Sea Rise
Rising Waters in Rockaway: An Exploration of the Local Effects of Sea Rise

In as little as five years, the Atlantic Ocean could be right outside Charlie’s front door in New York City. Charlie’s documentary film treatment investigates the consequences of rising sea levels and the most vulnerable areas of his city. He advocates for solutions to rising sea levels and inspires climate action to preserve coastal communities across the globe.

Teenagers Guide to the Pandemic: Home School Edition
Teenagers Guide to the Pandemic: Home School Edition

The pandemic brought on a new normal for us all. In his documentary film treatment, Jacob investigates the rising popularity of homeschooling during the COVID-19 pandemic and reports on unique difficulties the COVID-19 pandemic posed for previously homeschooled students. He draws on his research and experiences to share steps to restore routine and return to pre-pandemic normalcy.

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