The Bay School of San Francisco Class of 2020 Senior Signature Projects

CLASS OF 2020 S E N IOR S IG NATU RE PROJ E C TS

SENIOR S I G N ATU R E PROJ E C TS COVER :

Airplane painting by Fiona Tang

ABOVE:

Color Wave and Dog paintings by Fiona Tang; India ink artwork by Emma Baker.

Pushing beyond high school and the classroom The Bay School Senior Signature Project (SSP) is the capstone of a Bay education. Each senior is asked to design, plan, execute, and assess the effectiveness of a major project that is grounded in one of their passions, and that addresses a significant need or challenge of a community that is meaningful to them. Students are asked to become young professionals exploring a communitybased challenge and a field of study rather than a high school academic topic. In addition to learning project planning, management, and professional skills related to their project, students also gain experience networking with professionals and experts in relevant fields who serve as mentors and provide support throughout the two-semester program. Through the SSP program, students explore possible areas of study for college and careers, and they connect deeply with a topic and a community beyond the walls of The Bay School.

A program that pushes students into the real world is going to feel real-world impacts. This year, the Class of 2020 faced unprecedented challenges as COVID-19 shut down a number of projects and prohibited students from working with their target audiences. Members of the Class of 2020 demonstrated time and time again how they were able to rise from disappointment, to find the meaning in a new direction in a landscape that was continually changing, and to remain steadfast until they could reach completion of their SSP. We are proud of them.

Student presentations of their process and their deliverable are presented in a virtual classroom for the first time. Follow the video link for each project to enjoy their presentations at your leisure. We hope you enjoy this impressive body of study and achievement from the Class of 2020.

Congratulations, students!

The SSP teachers, Katie Buono, David Friedlander-Holm, Jane Uyeda & Shadow Wang

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C las s o f 2 0 2 0 Se ni or Si gna tur e P r oj e cts

Anna Albinson

MENTOR:

Lauren Choi

VIEW PROJECT VIEW PRESENTATION

Act Your Age

Do you ever think that you’re doing your life wrong? I do, and now that I’m 18, people expect me to automatically know the fundamental skills for being an adult. In my SSP project presentation, you will learn how easy it is to tackle life skills and will evaluate your own level of adult-ing. At the end of the day, having all these responsibilities is hard. So, come on in, put your feet up, and I’m gonna help make it a little easier.

Ainsley Alden

MENTORS:

Donna Hamilton Travis Lacina

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Three Positive Aspects of ADHD

Did you know that 11% of children in the United States have ADHD? That’s a lot of kids, and there are a lot more who are undiagnosed. As a result, many kids with ADHD aren’t getting the support they need at school or at home, and they feel completely alone. To address this, I made a video showing three positive aspects of ADHD and how to harness them as superpowers rather than viewing them as impediments or challenges.

Jesie Arriola

MENTOR:

Laura Fraser

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Ground Yourself: Addressing Rising Teen Stress

We often think that managing stress is simply a matter of taking care of tasks. Although that can be a component, finding practices that are best suited to our unique temperament and level of nervous system activation can assist us no matter what task or stressor(s) we are facing. I have found a number of items, suggested tasks, and activities to assist teens as they discover the best way to bring themselves back to calm, so that they can address whatever life throws their way from an optimal place. My product, an individualized subscription box, targets students in the middle of their junior year of high school to the beginning of their senior year, so by the time they go to college, they will have developed and habituated positive, individualized practices that help address their stress. Come by to hear about my discoveries!

Emma Baker

MENTOR:

Britt Starr

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In “Orbit”: Getting Art Into Circulation

Ever randomly find free art while walking around the city? Me neither — until now! I created a series of zines titled “Orbit” that I distributed around San Francisco to spark joy and make art more approachable. I wanted to take art outside the confines of a museum and into the world. In each issue, I experimented with different media and encouraged people to share art with others. Stop by to take a look at my zines or make your own!

Fritz Baldauf

MENTOR:

Fernando Perez

Das Fan-Erlebnis podcast:

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A Look Into The Most Electric Sports Atmosphere in the World

Do the steep prices of tickets deter you from attending sporting events? Do you ever find the atmospheres at sporting events to be bland and disinterested? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you’re probably not German. Soccer season tickets in Germany can be had for as cheap as 130 euros (~145 dollars) per season, even for global soccer brands such as Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

The German Bundesliga isn’t just cheap; it’s famous for having some of the most electric stadium atmospheres in the world. It is the second most attended professional sports league in the world, behind only the NFL, despite only having five stadiums that seat more than 60,000 fans. In contrast, all 32 NFL stadiums can seat at least 60,000 fans, with many seating 70,000 or more. What sports business models make this possible? How are such fan atmospheres fostered? What makes German soccer clubs so successful? Come by to find out!

Dominic Barredo

MENTOR:

Jorge Faustmann

How MUSIC Will Help You STUDY!

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Hark! Do you, the reader of this program, ever find your various attempts at concentrating on your daily scholarly tasks tedious or even futile? Do you make great attempts to finish your academic undertakings, only to be left fallen in disappointing puddles of failure? Fear not, for music shall be your salvation! Come to this exhibit to learn how euphony will help you reach unbounded success in all of your intellectual life!

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Isabelle Barroga

MENTOR:

Xela Gaerlan

Project RunAWAY: Finding Our Lost Filipino Roots

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Do you know your story? Learning about the people who came before you is an important part of all our identities. But for many Filipino-American youth, their story has been lost in their parents’ fight for opportunity.

As a result, their children feel disconnected from their heritage and feel like they’re not Filipino enough because they didn’t learn the language or rich culture. I represent this hidden story in my clothing line, which aims to empower Fil-Am youth to feel a sense of pride in their heritage and a curiosity to learn more.

Kayla Bartel

MENTORS:

Sierra Schneider Williams and Christy Tall

A New Way to Learn Science: Creating “You and Research”

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In science class, most high school students spend their time conducting labs and answering questions that people already know the answers to. But what if high school students could experience true science where they could research and answer questions that no one knows the answers to? Would it increase science literacy and interest in science? You and Research, the matching service that I created, connects high school students with scientific researchers around the Bay Area. It seeks to answer the question posed above by providing students with accessible and affordable scientific research internship opportunities. Join me to learn about what goes into a good application, how students are matched with their mentors, and to get to participate in a little bit of true science!

Addicen Bauer

MENTOR:

Lisa Henderson

HEAR and Now: Using Passion to Ignite Action

VIEW PRESENTATION

What keeps you up at night? Our deteriorating democracy? Climate change? TED Talks about cults on YouTube? Same. I decided to channel my love for hearing passionate people talk about their interests into something productive: a speaker event centered around San Francisco’s social and environmental issues.

Right before Super Tuesday, young people and voters alike came together to connect about issues that affect us all. Let’s talk about why this event was effective.

Jonah Benningfield

MENTOR:

Peter Pyle

Mysteries of the Seagull: A Study of Molt with Popcorn Bait

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Have you ever wondered whether or not Larus occidentalis exhibits a partial preformative molt in its first cycle? Do you have any idea how hard it is to catch seagulls with a cast net? Come learn about my low-budget research project in a pioneering field of bird study and how feasible it can be to answer your own questions about the Western Gull, the natural world, or whatever else piques your interest.

Cordelia Bergin

MENTOR:

Sheena Craig

Don’t Forget to Think!

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Do you want to become more self-aware? Do you let life go by quickly without thinking about the small things? Do you wish you had a place to process the events in your life? If you answered yes to any of these questions, Don’t Forget to Think! is the journal for you! Don’t Forget to Think! is a 15-week journal for teenagers and young adults designed by me, a teenager, to help achieve self-awareness through reflection on the big and small things in life. If you are interested in the benefits of journaling and how my journal works, please stop by!

Quinn Bertero

MENTOR:

Jesse Strassman

Roll The Dice: A Health and Wellness Game

VIEW PRESENTATION

During adolescence, children go through a set of challenges and decisions which will shape who they are and what they will do for the rest of their lives. The best way to prepare someone to make these difficult decisions when they have never experienced them before is to practice. This game is a scenario-learning experience to prepare children grades 3rd through 6th for the inevitable decisions that they will encounter by facilitating discussion and teaching skills of respect, fairness, honesty, safety, and consideration. Come to my exhibition to try the game in a simulated classroom environment.

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C las s o f 2 0 2 0 Se ni o r Si gna tur e Pr o j e cts

Ella Blanks

MENTOR:

Kate Eaneman

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Learn to Save a Life

Each year in America, 383,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur. Of those, just 32% receive bystander CPR. Immediate effective CPR can triple a cardiac arrest patient’s chance of survival, yet 70% of Americans don’t know CPR. In just two hours, you can learn the skills that could actually save someone’s life. Come by my exhibit and learn how you can get CPR certified and potentially save a life.

Simon Bleskacek

MENTOR:

Jennifer Serwer

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A Little Dirt Never Hurt

Fewer than 15% of America’s elementary-age youth eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables.

This puts them at risk for health-related issues such as obesity and other chronic diseases. I built a garden at Starr King Elementary School for the children to take care of and eventually eat the food they grow. My hope is that, through hands-on learning, these children will learn values of stewardship and food sustainability, and be inclined to make healthier choices in what they eat. While this will not fix this major health issue that is spread across the country, I am looking to help one community that is right beside me and inspire the youth to stay healthy in an engaging way.

Natasha Chandra

MENTOR:

Catherine Martikan

Shake Your Groove Thang: Dance Exercise Classes and IDD Adults

VIEW PRESENTATION

How does Richard Simmons help the lives of intellectually and developmentally disabled (IDD) adults?

Exercising daily, whether that’s through sports, going to the gym, or participating in exercise classes, has a large impact on their health. I’ve seen firsthand how crucial exercise is - especially for people who don’t understand the importance of standing up at least once a day. Through weekly dance classes, I’ve helped adults with disabilities such as autism and Down syndrome exercise and have fun doing it. Swing on by my exhibition to learn about the importance of exercise and do it, too!

Malachi Chou-Green

MENTOR:

Alice Woodman-Russell

Breaking Out of the Bubble: Exploring Bias in the Bay Area

VIEW PRESENTATION

Growing up, I have always heard that I live in a bubble, and San Francisco is a bubble in many ways. It’s an expensive city in one of the most expensive states in the US. But one of the biggest things I started to notice going into high school is an ideological bubble. With over 90% of the city identifying as Democrats and fewer than 4% as Republicans, this got me thinking: how can we help kids break out of this bubble to explore other possible world views before developing their own? Join me to explore bias in your everyday news and hear about the classes I taught to middle-school students.

Tasha Claburn

MENTOR:

Amy Alamar

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Sleep: It’s Better for You Than You Know!

Did you know that teenagers in the United States receive on average seven hours of sleep per night when the recommended amount of sleep for adolescents is nine hours or more? Similarly, nearly one-third of people in the US receive less than six hours of sleep every day, which will cause short and long term damage to their mental and physical health. Through interviewing five people of different ages and professions, I created a series of podcasts that discuss the importance of sleep and the drawbacks of sleep deprivation. The goal of my podcast series is to inform my audience on how to get better sleep and more sleep. Come and see how sleep helps memory and retention, reduces mental health issues, and improves one’s physical health.

Ila Clark

MENTOR:

Jesse Strassman

Don’t Worry About It!: Combating Youth Anxiety with a Story

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Thirty percent of children and adolescents have, or will deal with anxiety, and this number is only climbing.

I am personally included in this number, as are many of my peers, but by the time children reach their teenage years, help is less effective. My children’s book, “The Worry Alarm,” was created with the aim to spark a conversation with a younger demographic and provide resources that I wish I had growing up.

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Chloe Craig-Lotito

MENTOR:

Michael McCulloch

Wait, Dogs Can Smell Cancer?

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Approximately 38.4% of people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetimes, and it is very expensive both to diagnose and to treat. Many communities and families do not have access to machines such as MRIs or CAT scans or they can’t afford to check for cancer often. With cancer-smelling dogs, the diagnosis process could be faster, cheaper, easier, and more accessible… even allowing people to check for cancer every year. Come and learn about the meta-analysis process, i.e., what I have been doing for the past year — synthesizing data from multiple research papers to create an all-encompassing paper that shows the strengths and weaknesses of cancer-smelling dogs.

Jane Dawson

MENTOR:

Rebekah Berkov

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Beelieve in Bees: Countering Stereotypes about an Indispensable Species One in three bites of food are produced by bees, and without them, humanity would not be able to exist.

With bee populations threatened by global warming and habitat loss, it’s necessary to rebuild environments for the 1800 different native bee species that live in the Bay Area alone. As a kid, I was terrified of bees and didn’t recognize their importance to our world. In order to combat the stigmas around bees that develop early in life, I created an activity box for elementary school children that promotes the importance of bees and the helping of the environment.

Leila DeSchepper

MENTORS:

Dr. Diane Halberg & Lizzie Alvarez

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Period Talk, Proud Talk: Ending the Menstrual Stigma, One Pad at a Time In the U.S., one in five teenage menstruators have missed school because they couldn’t afford period supplies. Worldwide, period poverty is a leading cause of school absenteeism, yet this issue is rarely talked about because the stigma around menstruation is incredibly strong. To combat this stigma, foster conversation, and address period poverty, I partnered with a local after-school program to create over 200 period kits with supplies and information for middle-school students living largely within lower-income communities. Come by to view the kits, along with activism-focused period art and a lively, inclusive discussion about menstruation.

Amar Deshpande

MENTOR:

Jesse Strassman

Exploring Mental Health Stigma in South-Asian Communities

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Although mental health issues are a rapidly growing problem in adolescents, mental health is a universally stigmatized issue that is often hard for people to talk about. This is especially true for South-Asian teens growing up in America. Dealing with cultural differences and the shame around seeing a medical professional, South-Asian teens are often unable or unwilling to access the resources they need in order to live a healthy life. Through producing and writing a five song EP, I explore some of the issues that South-Asian teens face surrounding mental health and authentically tell the nuanced story of how SouthAsian teens tackle not only mental health but also the stigma that surrounds it. I hope that after visiting my exhibit, my audience will be able to empathize with and understand what South-Asian teens face growing up in America.

Student: Max DeWan

MENTOR:

Only YOU Can Save Yourself

Matt Favela

VIEW PROJECT VIEW PRESENTATION

Have you ever been the victim of an overuse injury? Has an injury ever ended your sports season or career? Have you ever felt that your injury could have been avoidable? If you answered yes to one, two, or all of those questions, you may be eligible for a personalized injury prevention experience. Over the course of the past few months, I have compiled all of the necessary materials and information to save the careers of our current and future athletes. Come by my exhibit to learn all about how you can save yourself from overuse injuries.

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C las s o f 2 0 2 0 Se ni o r Si gna tur e Pr o j e cts

Jonny Elliott

MENTOR:

Damian Crosby

Masketball: Mindfulness and Basketball

VIEW PRESENTATION

Have you ever felt distracted or overwhelmed in the middle of a sports activity? Well, I decided to tackle this problem, specifically how it pertains to middle schoolers. Over the course of SSP, I taught my former middle school’s basketball and volleyball teams about my experiences with mindfulness and how it has improved my performance in and out of sports. My overall goal was to gauge how effective mindfulness is with middle schoolers, and more importantly, to get the group of kids thinking about mindfulness in their own lives.

Nate Fahey

MENTOR:

Galileo Medrano

Get Comfortable

VIEW PRESENTATION

Why just listen to someone’s project when you could come and experience mine first hand as I show you how I turned around the dull and unorganized waiting room of an outpatient clinic. I will also show you how to do what I’ve done in your own lives by spending a little bit of your time and nothing else.

Jimmy Farrell

MENTOR:

Carson Levit

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Do You Want to Have More Money in the Future?

Do you save or invest any of your money? Is saving some of your money a priority for you? If you could find somewhere to stop spending money and start to save or invest it, that small amount could turn into something big after a few years since you have a lot of time for compound interest to work starting in high school. There are places where you could put your money and have it grow at a safe rate. While it’s not great in today’s market, it’s great in the long term.

John Finberg & Mitchell Rusitzky Project Volanti: Fly High

MENTOR:

Charlie Richardson VIEW PRESENTATION

Four years in the making, Project Volanti pushed the boundaries of what is possible in a Senior Project. For our final deliverable, we worked to create the cheapest quad-plane hybrid possible to make 3D mapping and modeling accessible. Our plane has a six-foot wingspan, nine pieces of carbon fiber, five engines, two dented styrofoam wings from our encounter with a basketball hoop, a rat’s nest of wires, and a dream to fly high. In our exhibit, we will walk you through the brainstorming, development, building, and testing phases along with a short simulation of the use case of our plane.

Nicholas Go

MENTOR:

Dick Adachi

The Nick Stick: Giving Light to the Blind

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We take the ability of our eyes to identify dangers for granted. When we walk across intersections, we are able to determine a safe time to go when, even if the driver didn’t see us, we could make it across safely.

Similarly, when we walk down a sidewalk, we are able to avoid obstacles like signs, trash cans, and other objects so that we don’t hit them. Blind people do not have these luxuries, and it can be a real danger to them. The Nick Stick is an attachment that can be placed on any visual impairment cane to offer 3-dimensional detection of obstacles as well as lighting to be seen by others. With The Nick Stick, users will be able to feel at ease, knowing that they can better navigate the world.

Charlie Grossman

MENTOR:

Jacob Babick

Goalkeeper: More Than Just a Position

VIEW PRESENTATION

The position of goalkeeper is often one that is misunderstood, especially by younger kids. In a lot of instances, they see it as an opportunity to rest or take a break from the game or practice. What they don’t realize is that it is not only a crucial part of the team, but it also offers them an opportunity to develop life skills off the field. This was something I didn’t realize early enough in my own playing career. Throughout the course of the year, I’ve been coaching younger goalies at the Boys and Girls Club with an emphasis on teaching leadership, confidence, and communication, all of which are skills that are extremely relevant during the games as well as after.

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Mya Heard

MENTOR:

Cynthia Durcanin

Is Your Closet Contributing to Climate Change?

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The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world. The US alone sends about 21 billion pounds of textile waste to landfills every year. Have you considered how your clothes and shopping habits contribute to this number? My website “Dress Green” aims to inform youth about the power we hold as consumers to make the clothing industry more sustainable. Come by to take a fashion footprint quiz and bring home a guide on caring for clothes with the environment in mind.

Ming Hill

MENTOR:

Corin Lee

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A Note to New Music

How many teenagers listen to classical music? In my experience, not many. Having this in mind, I decided to expose teenagers to this type of music in a unique way. I created a violin cover album filled with popular music that teenagers enjoy. By doing this, I was able to bridge the gap between the genres that teenagers listen to and classical music.

Ping Hill

MENTOR:

Albina Kehoe

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Putting Hollywood in Check

Have you ever watched a movie and questioned its accuracy? When it comes to disaster movies, Hollywood has exaggerated many aspects, giving a false reality, and changing the perspective of many viewers. To combat this false narrative, I’ve compiled a list of movies depicting earthquakes, fires, and pandemics, carefully watched them, and animated short videos to myth bust some scenes. To help give a sense of how/what you should have with you to prepare for disasters, come see my website if you wish to have a better understanding of how unrealistic Hollywood movies are and how to correctly prepare for an emergency.

Sierra Holmgren-Lee

MENTOR:

Jon Agee

Building a Better Book

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I wrote and illustrated a children’s book to talk about inclusion, especially around religion and belief. I think that it is important to teach kids that it’s alright to believe in things that other people don’t believe in and to look at differences with an open mind. We should all learn from our differences instead of alienate people because of them.

Will Hopkins & Zach Johnson MENTORS:

Michael Young and Grace Hunt-Kassoff

PODCAST ONE PODCAST TWO WEBSITE VIEW PRESENTATION

The Differential: A Podcast Series About Petrolheadism, Cars and Motoring Culture With the rise of ride share, Tesla, and more technologically complex modes of transit, automotive literacy is on the decline. Having grown up with interests in motoring and engineering, our personal interest in most things car-related was almost inevitable. However, many of our peers may have not had the same opportunities as we did. Therefore, we’ve created a website containing educational articles and podcasts about motorsports and automotive engineering.

Seneca Hutchinson

MENTOR:

Meghan Burke

An Interactive Tool to Navigate the Anxieties of Everyday Life

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My goal was to design a website to help those who are more introverted or anxious feel more comfortable when leaving the house and/or going to unknown places. Although many people wouldn’t think twice about going grocery shopping or getting a haircut, people with high anxiety, such as those with OCD or those on the autism spectrum, are flooded with thoughts about these situations. To help settle some of those thoughts and make it easier for these people to take the first step and try something new, my site gives step-by-step instructions on how to handle some of these thoughts and situations.

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C las s o f 2 0 2 0 Se ni o r Si gna tur e Pr o j e cts

McKenzie Isaac

MENTOR:

Mike Galvin

Cafe Wishlist: Crowdfunding for Nonprofits — Let’s Get This Done!

IMAGE ONE IMAGE TWO IMAGE THREE VIEW PRESENTATION

Did you know that most non-profits don’t have the funds to fulfill their most basic needs? Cafe Wishlist is a website that allows Bay Area nonprofits to post requests for the items or services they need most. These requests range from snacks for after-school programs to specialized contractors. If you can’t donate monetarily, don’t worry! You can search for nonprofits who need a specialist and donate your time if you have the skillset. Unlike other donation sites, you know exactly where your money is going to, so you can support the causes you are passionate about. Together, we can enhance our communities.

Dylan Joaquin

MENTOR:

Dillon Brook

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The Last of the Wild Rivers: Conservation in California

Wild rivers have all but disappeared from California. The state of these water bodies in our state has reached apocalyptic levels with monstrous dams and poisonous farms attacking our natural features. Yet a few remain, the largest being the majestic American River. Still, the river needs our help to stay wild and free, and as a fly fisherman, the issue is close to my heart. Many of my greatest memories come from rivers across the world, and I want nothing more than to make sure other people can experience the wild rivers long after I’m gone. Come to hear my story, and the story of the river and learn how you can help in an intimate group discussion.

PODCAST ONE PODCAST TWO WEBSITE VIEW PRESENTATION

Zach Johnson and Will Hopkins MENTORS:

Michael Young and Grace Hunt-Kassoff

The Differential: A Podcast Series About Petrolheadism, Cars and Motoring Culture

With the rise of ride share, Tesla, and more technologically complex modes of transit, automotive literacy is on the decline. Having grown up with interests in motoring and engineering, our personal interest in most things car-related was almost inevitable. However, many of our peers may have not had the same opportunities as we did. Therefore, we’ve created a website containing educational articles and podcasts about motorsports and automotive engineering.

Nina Jolivalt

MENTOR:

Monika Kaplan

ADHD & Anxiety: Can Interior Design Alleviate Symptoms?

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6.4 million American children manage ADHD every day, and 1 in 4 teenagers will experience an anxiety disorder. Some combination of pills and therapy is usually the go-to treatment, but are there effective alternatives? After thorough research, I worked with a high school student who copes with ADHD and anxiety. Together, we redesigned her bedroom in order to lessen the symptoms of these disorders. Come experience an ADHD and anxiety-friendly environment or work to rearrange a 3D room while learning about what interior design changes are effective.

Hannah Kallweit

MENTOR:

Alex Spoery

A Snapshot of Animal Adoption

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Every year, 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States. Many animal shelters that rely on consistent adoptions to make space for new dogs and cats resort to animal euthanasia.

However, foster-based rescue organizations, such as Hopalong, do not rely on adoptions for space and do not euthanize their animals because they place their rescue dogs and cats in volunteer-based foster homes. Adopting an animal from these types of rescue organizations not only benefits the dogs and cats, it also benefits the adopters. In a pop-up gallery event at Woodlands Pet Food and Treats, I plan on promoting the Hopalong organization and highlighting the beauty and joys of animal adoption through photography of adopted animals and their families. My goal is to inspire people to adopt a dog or cat at the event or sign up to be volunteers or foster families because with one animal adopted, a life is saved and a family is created.

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Nicholas Kamimoto

MENTOR:

Jennifer Wong

Muni-que Improvement for Public Transportation

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Public transportation can be perceived as something that is confusing and impossible to use. In reality, public transportation is one of the greatest resources when used correctly. My goal was to create a system that could make San Francisco public transportation easier for the users. Stop by to see what I have made.

Zach Kaplan

MENTOR:

Jacob Froneberger

Reclaimed Rides: Skateboards Made of Recycled Wood

VIEW PRESENTATION

In the skateboarding industry, large skateboard manufacturers cut up to 30,000 skateboard decks per month! This generates a large amount of high-quality maple wood scrap that goes directly to the landfill. In a time when we are confronted by global warming and deforestation, using reclaimed or recycled materials is imperative. My passion for skateboarding inspired me to advocate for the importance and viability of using reclaimed materials by creating a series of skateboards made from only reclaimed wood.

Derek Kuno-Williams

MENTOR:

Peter Williams

An Off-Road Grocery Cart

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Have you or a loved one ever been affected by lower back pain? Joint problems? Other mobility issues?

This product might be able to help you. When you can’t ride home in your in-law’s Model 3, you still need to get your groceries home. That’s why I’ve created an electrically assisted off-road “grocery cart.” With this product, you’ll be able to get home pain-free. Come give it a test in a simulated desert.

Grace Kuth

MENTOR:

Michael Lamacchia

Hey Hey! Banjo! Injustice Has Got to Go!

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From the counterculture movement in the 1960s to Black Lives Matter, music has been a crucial ingredient in the push for social progress. As a socially conscious songwriter, I knew that I needed to use my voice to promote a more equitable and sustainable world. So I created a banjo-based EP about issues such as climate change and gender equality to inspire conversation and action. Let’s Ban-GO!

Alexandra Laguardia

MENTOR:

John Grattis

Colorful, Casual (and Productive) Conversation

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When kids color, they’re thinking about more than just staying in between the lines. They’re thinking about the content, and they’re thinking about which colors to use (which, really, draws them right back to the art they’re coloring in). Art has the opportunity to immerse children in an idea. The coloring book I created draws kids in with coloring and then gets them thinking, questioning, and interested in the artwork that depicts hard-to-talk-about topics. The political world, the occasionally-dangerous world, the world that parents may have a hard time introducing their kids to (whether it’s climate change, abortion or immigration) can be made accessible by introducing it through this coloring book. Pairing these pieces of art with unbiased and simple descriptions helps kids form questions — making a parent’s job easier and a child’s experience less stressful.

Milo Leeb-Domina

Money: Why the Taboo?

MENTOR:

Sheila Schroeder

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Money is one of the largest taboo topics in our society. Despite the capitalist nature of our culture, young people rarely learn key financial knowledge which is important for navigating the adult world. That is why I taught a financial literacy class aimed at teens with the goal of both empowering them to speak about money in a productive way, while also learning practical financial knowledge. I taught my students about budgeting, taxes, credit, lending, savings, and philanthropy. Please stop by room to learn more and do a budgeting activity.

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C las s o f 2 0 2 0 Se ni or Si gna tur e P r oj e cts

Zachary Mathews

MENTOR:

Daniel Rathman

Sports Influencers Podcast

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Have you ever wondered what sort of impact the media has had on sports players, coaches, and even the industry? Since there has also been a recent lull in sports coverage with the recent suspensions and cancellations of the NBA, MLB, Soccer, March Madness, College World Series, and many more, now would be a great time to come to my room to gain a deeper understanding of how the media impacts our sports world and culture.

Lizzy Mongillo

MENTOR:

Cait Spitek

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Volunteer and Connect: How YOU Can Support Your Local Community In San Francisco, there are over 1,733 community-based volunteer organizations that offer various beneficial services to struggling Bay Area communities. However, there is a disconnect between volunteers and local communities due to lack of volunteering, potential volunteers not knowing where to volunteer, and lack of knowledge surrounding how many local organizations need support. Through volunteer events hosted with local organizations, I aimed to bridge this gap and offer students and young adults the opportunity to log volunteer hours and serve their local community. These volunteers were able to reflect on their experience through writing on my website where they also helped raise awareness about local community issues. Check out my SSP and reflect on past volunteer experiences or find ways you can help your local community. Come see the impact before it happens!

Marc Montgomery

MENTOR:

Chris Thomas (Coach C.T.)

The Basketball Guru: A Digital Story

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ATTENTION ALL HOOPERS AND BASKETBALL ENTHUSIASTS!!! If you are in need of improving your skills to show off to your classmates and relatives, impress your crush, and get into your team’s starting lineup, I have three simple words for you. Watch my videos. After years of playing at an elite level and loving every second of it, I have seized the opportunity to become just like my beloved coaches and teach the youth of San Francisco about this beautiful game. To assist young ballers working hard to achieve their goals, I have curated videos that provide masterful demonstrations of drills that guarantee improvement. Come to my exhibit to see my drills firsthand and learn more about basketball.

Alex Morales

MENTOR:

Miguel Bustos

Politics of Homelessness

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It’s a disgrace. It’s a humanitarian crisis. It’s a public health emergency. It’s a human rights violation. These are the words used to describe San Francisco’s Homelessness Crisis, but what is the city doing to address it? Through the Politics of Homelessness podcast, we brought together the voices of politicians, non-profit directors, and developers to explore a more inclusive, transparent, accountable, and proactive approach to San Francisco’s homelessness crisis.

Hannah Moscovici

MENTOR:

Boyd Williamson

How Can YOU Help the Homeless Pets of SF?

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Living in the Haight district of San Francisco, I often see people living on the streets. There are many organizations that help the homeless, but their pets are often forgotten. Making sure their furry companions are warm and well-fed not only helps the animals but also encourages their owners to take better care of themselves. While many people care about animals and can afford to donate supplies, there is no direct pipeline to connect resources with these pets in need. To address this need, I became a campaign manager for Vet-SOS, a pop-up clinic that provides free veterinary care to homeless pets in the city.

Visit my exhibit to discover what YOU can do to help.

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Dak Moyne

MENTOR:

Matt Gibson

More than Just a Child’s Book

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One in 59 children in the United States are affected by Autism. This disorder affects individuals across the world, but the group that it can have the most impact on is the youth of our country. The ways that children with Autism are treated by their peers can greatly shape their futures, both socially and academically. Many children in our country choose to look at differences as opposed to what they have in common with their peers, so my book aims to help shift their mindset.

Charlotte Navin

MENTOR:

Katie Morford

Cooking and Baking Class to Reduce Stress in Teens

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Do you ever feel stressed out about the work given in high school? Well, you aren’t alone. Around 49% of high schoolers feel a great deal of stress daily (according to a study done at NYU). This number to me feels incredibly high for people my age, and I wanted to try and address it. The goal was to find a way of relieving teens’ stress without the usage of social media. So, after a lot of research and taking into account what helps me de-stress, I decided to create a cooking and baking class for teenagers to reduce their levels of stress. The goal is for everyone to find at least one part of cooking or baking that can calm the mind and allow them to relax for their stressful lives as teenagers.

Halli Nguyen

Patti Lane

MENTOR:

Building a Best Friend: Inspiration Creation

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Do you have a best friend who loves you no matter what? Think back to your childhood. Did you have a fluffy friend by chance or maybe a favorite toy? Then you must know the power of creativity and imagination. I certainly do. With the inspiration of my own fluffy best friend, I have strived to offer children a chance to design a best friend that I help bring to life. Who’s your dream fluffy friend? Come step into a world of comfort and joy and maybe just maybe make a new friend.

Tony Nguyen

MENTOR:

Andrew Cota

ScoreAssist: Soccer for Beginners

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Played by millions around the globe, soccer is widely regarded as the world’s most popular sport; its popularity has resulted in an estimated 265 million regular players spread across 200 countries, according to FIFA. Soccer has transcended from just being a beloved sport, but sadly, not everyone has the opportunity to experience it, especially in our own community. Being a part of a soccer team is more exclusive than you might think. Many public elementary schools in the city don’t offer it, and middle/high school teams are almost always reserved only for the best, most experienced players. Club teams are also an option, but they are exclusive to only those who can afford them. My solution to this problem is creating my website, ScoreAssist, that’s geared towards helping beginners and new players develop their soccer skills. I designed my website to cater to anything a newer player might want to know or need including health and fitness, equipment care, drills, guides, tips, and more. With my website, I hope to inspire and excite the next generation of soccer players within our community.

John Owens

MENTOR:

John Cellum

Gastronomic Cooking

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As little as 10% of Americans say they enjoy cooking. In fact, up to 50% actually resent cooking altogether.

I sought to change this when I created an innovative cooking delivery box, similar to those made by Blue Apron. Unlike other cooking boxes which only teach a step-by-step recipe, mine teaches gastronomy — the study of the relationship between food and culture, science, and history. Come by to learn a thing or two more about the wider world of cooking.

Justin Petri

MENTOR:

Dr. Mónica Ruiz-Noriega

A Better Breakfast, A Better Day

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You’ve heard it countless times. At restaurants, cafes, homes, dining tables, and probably even on the Dr. Phil show: “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” But have you ever wondered why?

Regardless of your decision, join me on my journey to learn what goes into making an eggsquisitely easy breakfast.

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Athena Phillips

MENTOR:

Olivia Glowacki

The Power of Giving: Reshaping the Narrative around Panhandling

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My project strives to reconstruct the narrative around giving money to individuals experiencing homelessness. It serves to examine our own biases toward giving money and the power structures that influence that. For my deliverable, I chose to write an article addressing this phenomenon that could be circulated through the San Francisco community in a publication called “Street Sheet.” My project urges people to evaluate their current perception of giving money to the homeless, and move forward by recognizing giving as a transfer of liberty rather than an act of philanthropy.

Riley Piscitello-Fay

MENTOR:

Denise Lew

Mental Health Stories: Giving Voices to Teens

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Take yourself back in time and imagine what it was like to be a teenager. While time has shifted how we discuss mental health, the things teens struggle with remain relatively the same. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 6.3 million teens have had an anxiety disorder. Come to my presentation and hear the stories and struggles of some 21st century Bay School teens.

Noah Rauch

MENTOR:

PODCAST PROPOSED SEASON LIST VIEW PRESENTATION

Liana Mier

TagaLOG: What Does it Mean to Filipino-American?

“What are you?” It’s a rather common question in this era of identities after all. For many, one can simply say “American” and be done with it. For Filipino-Americans, the question is far more complex. While the short answer is “Filipino,” hardly any Fil-Ams know what it means to be Filipino. With their only reference being their parents who grew up in the Philippines, it’s no wonder why many feel like a watered-down version of their parents. Therefore, I decided to explore the concept of “being Filipino” and turned my experiences into a podcast that helps other Fil-Ams break down this view and learn more about their heritage. So please feel free to drop on by if you’re curious about this almost invisible problem affecting a surprising number of Fil-Ams!

Marcellino Rosario

MENTOR:

Nisa Sanders

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The Art of Storytelling

What do all forms of entertainment have in common? Despite the format it is portrayed in, they all tell their own story or narrative. In today’s day and age, personal stories are often lost in the slew of popular media we are bombarded with on a daily basis. My project focuses on different stories told by various local Bay Area artists, in which we worked to tell a story that is important to them. From traditional animations to short films, experience a glimpse of each individual artist’s vision in an isolated space. If you’re curious about the storytelling process, come chat with me so you can be more informed on how your stories can be heard, too!

Mitchell Rusitzky & John Finberg

MENTOR:

Charlie Richardson

Project Volanti: Fly High

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Four years in the making Project Volanti pushed the boundaries of what is possible in a Senior Project. For our final deliverable, we worked to create the cheapest quad-plane hybrid possible to make 3D mapping and modeling accessible. Our plane has a six-foot wingspan, nine pieces of carbon fiber, five engines, two dented styrofoam wings from our encounter with a basketball hoop, a rat’s nest of wires, and a dream to fly high. In our exhibit, we will walk you through the brainstorming, development, building, and testing phases along with a short simulation of the use case of our plane.

Gage Schrier MENTORS: Dr.

Robert Schrier, the English Department of The Urban School of San Francisco, and Eloise Cameron Schrier

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A Lit African Reading Room You’ve heard of Faulkner; you’ve read Shakespeare. Have you read or heard of Gordamer, Ngozie Adichie, or Bulawayo? Odds are, you haven’t. Until you are as familiar with Purple Hibiscus as Catcher in the Rye, your literary education is incomplete. Come read some of the short stories highlighted in the African literature course I have created. Pick up a book by one of the African greats to finish later. Start to fill in the massive blindspots in your education, and take a break from your hectic day in comfort. Relax in a comfy chair and flip some pages in my African literature reading room: you won’t regret it.

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Zoë Shane

MENTOR:

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Cheryl Trott

Got Blood? Getting Involved with Blood and Bone Marrow Donation More than 75% of Americans will need blood in their lifetimes, and there is no substitute for human blood.

For this reason, blood and bone marrow donations are an absolute necessity in providing life-saving care for these patients. In addition to hosting a blood drive in the Presidio and registering people to the Be The Match bone marrow registry, I created a collection of materials on how to get involved, the responsibilities and risks of donation, and opportunities for those who are unable to donate. At this exhibit, you will get to know the donation process beyond what you have seen on Grey’s Anatomy.

Tom Slavonia

MENTOR:

Maddy Leonard

Capturing San Francisco

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Have you ever wondered how the landscape, demographics, and geology of San Francisco have impacted the city throughout history? Do you wonder how documentarians craft their flicks? Well, the answers lie within my short documentary film meant to help young San Franciscans build a greater connection with their home while also learning how specific geographic features can impact the history of a location. Come to my screening and also learn how I made my documentary film along with viewing the product for yourself.

Harriet Stein-Smith

MENTOR:

Sarah Graybill

Find Your Footprint! A Game for Environmental Change

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Young people will be affected by climate change more than any other generation. However, 84% of young people feel that they do not have enough information about climate change to prevent it. I wanted to find a fun way to spread awareness, and what’s more fun than a board game? I created my game, “Find Your Footprint,” to help kids learn about small ways that they can help our planet and find out what their impact would be. Stop by if you want to play my game (and get some free snacks and stickers)!

Elsa Stuart

MENTOR:

Chris Hill

Confidence is Key: A Children’s Book for Young Girls

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Everyone at some point in their life knows what it feels like to have low self-confidence. In this book, we follow Emma on her journey towards blocking out the haters and feeling confident in herself. This book is for everyone who wants to feel a little more ready to take on the world.

Fiona Tang

MENTOR:

Katie Bradley

Prescription/Treatment: Art

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Have you ever waited in the lobby of a hospital? How did you feel? Medical environments can be intimidating to everyone, but specifically to children and minorities. Art is a great way to warm up an environment to make it friendlier. Come by to see the collection of pieces I created for OMI Hospital!

Miles Tennican

Teaching in a Polarized Time

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Given the particularly polarized and volatile politics of today’s world, it is especially important that middle school students are provided with the intellectual framework to encourage and appreciate diverse thought and well-rounded opinions. The 8th grade class at The Cathedral School for Boys participated in a class focused on research and debate. Through this experience, they developed methods to ensure their views are multi-faceted and their arguments are well informed, disciplined, and conducted with respect.

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Logan Ung

MENTOR:

VIEW PROJECT PART ONE PART TWO PRESENTATION

Sara Headley, Mike Headley

Cycleology: Mountain Biking and Mental Health

Look at you. You’re an anxiety-stricken, depressed, mediocre sack of garbage with nothing in life to make you happy. I used to feel this way too until I became infatuated with mountain biking. For my project, I spoke at Rooftop Middle School about my experiences with mental health issues and how mountain biking was essential in helping me address them. I shared my journey with the kids in the hopes that they would be inspired to take up mountain biking to address their own challenges, and I created and handed out a brochure with resources for beginning mountain bikers.

Tycho Uyeda-Foy

MENTOR:

Sara Headley

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From Professional To Aspiring Rider

Figuring out how to start pursuing your passion may be difficult. USA Cycling highly recommends that aspiring road bike cyclists decide to pursue road racing at age 12-13. USA Cycling then recommends going to Europe each year to do training camps and races in order to have a chance of going pro. As someone who has just started road racing in high school, this can be quite demoralizing as it seems that my chances have already passed me by. My website aims to help those who have just started road racing in high school or college to figure out how they can still pursue road racing at a high level.

Mariano Vergara

Constanza Ruiz

MENTOR:

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Salud! How to Maximize and Improve Your Health

Have you noticed that high school students have bad sleeping habits, they don’t eat necessarily well, or that they don’t exercise properly? Well, I have, which is why I chose to focus on researching what exactly nutrition, sleep, and exercise are, what exactly they do for the body, and how to go about doing these three things. I’ve conducted experiments, interviewed professional trainers, physical therapists, and nutritionists, and have made groundbreaking discoveries because of all of my research. Through the creation of an easy-to-navigate and understandable website, high school students will now discover the true extent of their bad habits. Come join me to make a great post-workout smoothie!

Calvin Webster

MENTOR:

William Pemton

Learning to Build a Race Car

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Thousands upon thousands of people around the world are passionate about cars in almost every way, yet not all of them have the opportunities to pursue that passion. My goal was to educate children in a way that will give them a leg up in the industry as they get older. Come see what we built, and learn a little about how we built it!

Charlie Weltchek

MENTOR:

Bunny Rosenberg

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Pet Therapy for the Elderly

Come to my presentation to experience general pet therapy firsthand! There is a dog waiting to spend time with you! You will learn about all the benefits general pet therapy can provide, not only for the patient but also for you. In addition, you will learn about how pet therapy can be a great way to volunteer.

Oona Woodbury

MENTOR:

Amy Alamar

Taking Back your Power — Realizing the Impact of a Bystander

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Approximately one in six college students will have experienced sexual assault by the time they graduate.

Colleges and universities have been slowly adapting their policies to protect their students, but the best way to make a real difference is to change how people think about and respond to sexual harassment and assault. I partnered with three local organizations to host an event for high school juniors and seniors where we discussed consent, healthy relationships, and bystander intervention. Come by to learn more about bystander intervention training and consider how you can impact the people and communities around you.

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Thank You From the Class of 2020!

The Bay School SSP program has been incredibly meaningful and successful thanks to the expertise and guidance our mentors provided throughout the school year. Our projects and accomplishments would not have been possible without you. We are very grateful!

The Bay School of San Francisco 35 Keyes Avenue | The Presidio San Francisco, California 94129 Phone: 415-561-5800 Fax: 415-561-5808