Equity in sports and freedom of speech
Sustainable Goal: Peace + Justice
My project is a podcast about how Colin Kaepernick was unfairly treated when he stood up for something he believed in. In the podcast, I talk about who Colin is and what he did when he was "kicked out" of the National Football League (NFL) I also talk about an organization that can help athletes of all ages to speak up and use their platform, whether it's a podcast or instagram, to make a positive social change The organization is called Athletes' Voices.
Sports should bring us together, not divide us. And, if someone has something to say they should be allowed to use their First Amendment right of freedom of speech. I also learned that you can try something 100 times and though you may still feel like it won't have an impact, it will.
Sustainable Goal: Health + Well-Being
I chose this project because I think, especially since around 2020, that mental health struggles have risen in people my age. I hope that what I have done will spread a little more awareness and let people know that mental health is a big problem For my project, I created a website with data for Middle School kids in 6th to 8th grade I hope that what I have done will be show people that you are not alone and also let others know the extent of the struggles.
I am now aware that someone’s struggle is not always shown on the outside. I have learned that even those who seem happiest can be the ones struggling the most.
Mental health awareness for teens
Sustainable Goal: Responsible Consumption
I created a virtual simulated rocket that used less rocket fuel than conventional rockets, therefore making fewer greenhouse gases. I also made a physical rocket to visually show how much smoke and pollution a regular rocket produces All in all, I just hope that my project can help the environment and all future space launching!
A model for sustainable rocketry I want my future to be high in the skies, to infinity and BEYOND!
I now understand that launching stuff isn’t as easy as slapping rocket fuel to a payload. You need a rocket nozzle too I also learned that in order to make something great you have test it over and over again Thinking of ways to make rocketry more sustainable was a big challenge
Sustainable Goal: Industry + Innovation
I have innovated a ballet shoe with ankle and arch support, with cool designs incorporated My shoe is supposed to last longer and be more durable, especially for professional dancers who often go through these expensive shoes very quickly This helps both people, including dancers like me, and the planet. Using fewer shoes will be a great benefit for the environment The shoe will support the dancers as they heal, like myself. It will contribute to healing the planet too.
Don't give up, fight for it A more supportive shoe can support an injured dancer as they heal.
Injured dancers who are getting back into ballet
Sustainable Goal: Life On Land
Educating and engaging youth to help protect the environment.
I created a club called the Green Team Hillbrook students who are interested in learning about and helping the environment can join the club to engage in actions that will impact both the environment and the school Green Team members will sort trash and clean it up from the campus to help care for and improve the environment
Take setbacks with joy rather than annoyance. These setbacks are pushing you forward to something you are meant to do
Sustainable Goal: Health + Well-Being
Youth and babies have access to healthy food, regardless of income.
I first learned about how healthy foods are the most important part of wellness when we visited Esperanza Community farms. I then talked to farmer Guillermo Lazaro to learn more about how farmers can get healthy foods to all communities I researched San Jose public schools' lunch programs and also how to make low cost baby foods using hydroponics I created a plan to make healthy foods for babies and for young students that I will begin using hydroponics at Hillbrook's Upper School
Social impact is not just a project, it is about the long lasting effects your actions can have on your community and on the environment Having access to healthy foods is one part of the equation The other part is really knowing where your food comes from. Labels don't always tell the truth
Sustainable Goal: Quality Education
I made a PSA through the Story Xperiential program about the importance of history While I made the PSA, I researched interesting historical tales that I could include in the video, such as the Industrial Revolution and the subsequent regulations that companies faced Finally, I incorporated everything into a Pixarlike animated video for my SIL project The Story Xperiential program helped me create the video.
If you find that there isa lack of respect, fill the gap and create it yourself.
Ensuring access to information about climate change
Sustainable Goal:
Quality Education
I decided that I would make a video sharing information specifically about methane and its impact on the environment. I began by researching the topic, selecting key points in several trustworthy sources, and moving them all to a condensed space Afterwards, I began scripting my video, storyboarding and animating the video I am now finishing with editing the footage and voice over Throughout all of this, I used Story Xperiential to help inspire my project and further develop my artistic skills
In the beginning of the project, I was eager to start, so I began animating right off the bat. I did this without a goal to guide me or an idea about what to do, and because of this, what I created during this frenzied time was messy and not cohesive. Now I know that to have the best results, I have to have a clear idea of what I want to do and when
Sustainable Goal: Quality Education
Neurodiversity awareness matters to me because I am neurodivergent myself, and I want to support other neurodivergent students at Hillbrook. I have mostly been researching for this project, in order to ensure that I am spreading correct information and helping to dispel misinformation. I recently presented about neurodiversity at Flag, and I have been anonymously interviewing neurodivergent people at Hillbrook and several schools in the UK. I am also creating a neurodiversity club, which will hopefully be in operation before I leave Hillbrook
If you have an important message to say, say it. There will always be people who won’t listen, or won’t care But if telling one hundred people can change one person’s mind, then do it. You may change someone’s life
Supporting neurodivergent students at Hillbrook
Climate change and deforestation
Sustainable Goal: Life On Land
I turned the children's book "Greta and the Giants" into a short play about deforestation The fourth graders and kindergartners worked together and put on an amazing show to teach more people about this global issue In the end I hope that the kids take this experience with them throughout life. With the help of my mentor VanNessa, the kindergarten and fourth grade teachers, and so many others, I was able to write and direct this amazing show.
Throughout the process of this project, I learned a lot of how to be a leader and an entrepreneur. My project was so fun and I liked being able to do the whole thing by myself. In the future I hope I can do more big projects to help our world and community.
Sustainable Goal: Quality Education
I am focusing on supporting the Mathematics curriculum in one school in Sierra Leone and I am creating a digital library for the school so that all students can access the materials online I have ensured that students have internet The name of the school is Annie Walsh Memorial School, which is the oldest school in West Africa, built in 1849 This school matters to me because my mom attended this school, so it is deeply connected to me and my family.
You can never be to far away to help Sierra Leone is my part of my identity and is a place my whole family cares about a lot We want children at this school to have all the same resources for learning that we have here at Hillbrook A digital Math library is much more sustainable to create than collecting and shipping lots of books!
Quality education in Sierra LeoneAnimal safety and well-being
Sustainable Goal: Life On Land
Shyla, Trevor, and I organized an Animal supply drive to raise items for our local animal shelter We went through many steps, starting with researching organizations and ending with actually collecting the items: We created signage and communicated with marketing and promotions team at Hillbrook; organized a trip to the Silicon Valley animal control (it didn't work out due to the animal control animal count); coordinated the donation drive, which raised $700 and many, many items; organized instructions and sorting directions for the WAM RBW to donate the items.
There are many organizations that that help dogs gain access to the types of items we raised. With their help, we can play a role in making sure that they are treated well and live full healthy lives
Sustainable Goal: Climate Action
Nature has a special place in my heart Deforestation threatens nature.
My project is to raise awareness about deforestation I made a website to inform people about how problematic deforestation is. I also listed ways to help. the goal was to tell people that this has to stop
Throughout SIL class I have learned that the change you make is only limited by how much work you are willing to do
Ocean pollution
Sustainable Goal: Life Below Water
William, Aidan, Dean, and I created a documentary to raise awareness about ocean pollution. I like being in the ocean, surfing, and boogie boarding, but I always see plastic in it. The video shows how plastics in the ocean hurt wildlife and pollute our food supply To make our video, we also interviewed teachers and students that have a good amount of knowledge about the ocean We reached out to Seymour Aquatic Center and learned about their research on ocean life conservation.
When out in the world, it might seem that helping is too hard, but even the small things make a difference -- Taking action matters, no matter how small or big, it helps.
Sustainable Goal: Climate Action
Climate action; specifically, how climate change harms animals.
My friends and I wanted to put a climate awareness mural on the third and fourth grade area wall right by the amphitheater. We chose this spot because students will see it when they play and the whole school can see it during Flag on Fridays We presented our proposal and budget to Upper Administration and it got approved We have almost all the materials we need, including a sketch based on our ideas that our muralist mentor, Lu Jimenez, designed for us. The mural shows some of the impacts of climate change in the arctic.
Problems are like clay The more you let them sit the harder they become.
Sustainable Goal: Life Below Water
I made a film to raise awareness about the need to protect the ocean from pollution My strategy included an unconventional method of using YouTube content to give people the idea that the ocean should be preserved I'm not sponsored by a company or anything I just linked a charity organization in the description and brought attention to the issue The results can vary depending on who is trying to raise awareness. My next step will be to report the results of my experiment with YouTube content
I understand that I am limited by my audience, but a barrier usually has a way past it and I will find it.
Preserving the ocean by preventing pollution and acidification
Sustainable Goal: Quality Education
As a Hillbrook student, I feel very privileged I think that because of that I have a responsibility to learn and educate people about inequalities. It took me a couple weeks to research my project I looked into topics like how schools are funded and why they're overcrowded. The next couple weeks were used to find out how to fix these problems and also to start my slide show The rest of the time was spent finishing the slide show and to practice presenting.
All schools and children deserve a quality education and the funding to support that education.
Financial inequality in public educationSustainable Goal: Life On Land
I developed cruelty-free recipes for skincare products using ingredients that are easily accessible over the counter. All ingredients in my recipes are natural and animals are not involved in creating them I organized a special skincare product-making event at school and taught my friends and teachers how to make a body lotion and a scrub Everybody got to help make the products and take what they made home with them. Working together to make an impact, protecting animals and creating healthy products, was fun!
I learned that many skincare products people use today are not cruelty-free. I found a website that helps consumers know whether brands support cruelty-free practices. I tried to engage some brands about their practices, but didn't hear back (yet). Overall, Working together to make an impact was fun!
Promoting cruelty-free skincare products
Sustainable Goal: Quality Education
Student access to quality school supplies that help them learn to their full potential.
I created an educational poster to give out to students on campus, and will hang them up after the rain. I also made a presentation to present to the 4th graders. For the presentation, I created an activity where students were asked to draw their favorite place, but had limited supplies to do so. I had the students reflect on that experience and we discussed the importance of making sure that every student has access to quality school supplies.
I now understand the importance of having proper supplies in the school system so that every student has the opportunity to learn and achieve their full potential.
Sustainable Goal: Quality Education
Equitable recruitment in sports Everyone should have the same access.
I first did research about college recruiting and found that people with lots of money are more likely to play sports in college and go to college in general. I then started meeting with Tim Downes, Hillbrook Upper School Athletic Director, and started thinking about what I was going to do about it. Then, I met with Matias, who is working at 3rd Street Community Center to improve educational opportunities for kids. We decided to come together and use each others resources to make a sports summer camp that gives everyone access.
You can only get so far on your own Collaboration is key to growing your impact.
Sustainable Goal: Quality Education
How cultural values can impact how mathematics are taught in schools.
I looked up information about mathematics education in the United States and China on the Internet. I then considered how this research compared to my own experience as a student who just came to the United States from China I discovered that learning Math in the United States is different because teachers teach it differently and not only because it is in English and not in Mandarin
Learning is about much more than the subject matter being taught.Cultural difference impact students' learning experiences
Skills practice and life experiences are just as important as learning math.
Teaching future generations about climate change
Sustainable Goal: Climate Action
The glaciers in Alaska are something I care about that I want to share with others With help from mentors and experts in the children's books publishing industry, I am writing and illustrating a children's book about the glaciers melting My book takes a heavy topic and makes it processable for kids. It teaches them that something that seems far away is coming closer and that we need to know about it so that we can take action.
Every child deserves a chance to make a difference in the world. This project has taught me that there are ways to teach the generation younger than me to look through a changemaker lens from a young age I’ve learned that I can use my passion for creativity and art to share the things that are important to me
Sustainable Goal: Reduced Inequalities
Kids with no funding for sports and extracurriculars in school should be able to play a sport that they want to. I emailed many local organizations that have sports facilities to see if I could volunteer and maybe run a sport clinic for kids that don't have any exposure to playing sports like basketball or football.
Always work hard for things you want to achieve and never give up on something you love.
Youth access to sports and extracurricularsSustainable Goal: Climate Action
Protecting animals and the planet that are being destroyed because of humans.
Lauren, Sloan and I are making a mural to spread awareness about climate change and to push others to want to take action. That might mean donating to a nonprofit, taking time out of your day to pick up some trash, or using less plastic Our goal is to get people to make a difference in both little and big ways. After seeing how art was used as a tool for social change in downtown San Jose, we decided we wanted to do something similar for our own Hillbrook community.
There is no such thing as impossible, only limits of your determination. Working as a team was really great for us because it helped our strengths shine. I also learned that making a big mural is a lot of work!
Sustainable Goal: Quality Education
Teaching kids what I've learned from Hillbrook I've always wanted to help in others learn
I researched organizations in San Jose working towards equality in education I contacted the Rosemary Baes, who runs Third Street Community Center After emailing back and forth I finally got the start on January 11th. I've been working with students in the Third Street Community Center after school enrichment program every Wednesday since January 11th For two hours a week I help students with their homework and also get to participate in special projects other student helpers coordinate I also get to practice my Spanish!
I have learned that kids are very accepting and they quickly look up to you and you become a role model for them They freely share their emotions and thoughts. I can see how easily one can influence young children. I understand now the importance of after school program or sports that positively influence young people to help them grow into good role models themselves
Sustainable Goal: Health + Well-Being
Helping people with disabilities through the special work service dogs provide.
I am a puppy raiser to raise the dogs that can help and change the lives of these people Now I am trying to share this mission and work to spread compassion and get more volunteers and donations to further spread the work of these animals My main project and outcome is educating the younger kids at Hillbrook, (3rd grade) to get them thinking and involved in helping people from a young age
When you are working with what you love, the work will be lovable.
Sustainable Goal: No Poverty
I want to help create a world where no one has to live without things like food and shelter
To begin my project, I researched a couple of organizations to learn more about their missions and what they are doing to help the unhoused. Then, I chose an organization I wanted to learn more about and called them for an interview. After interviewing and gathering a bunch of data, I used all of the information I found to host a field trip. The goal of the field trip was to teach a younger generation about the issues surrounding homelessness and how they, too, can make an impact
Everyone can make an impact.
Homelessness and poverty
Sustainable Goal: Health + Well-Being
For my project I created a podcast and slides that help normalize seeking help for Mental Health struggles. People my age don't always know who can help or that seeking help can make a big difference in your Mental Health
My podcast is based on evidence from real people. I interviewed Ms. Joan, Wren Silver, and Tessa Zimmerman I created a script and 3 episodes to bring awareness and encourage teens to take action to improve their mental health.
School counseling is very different in different schools, take a step back and see what other people are going through You will learn that you are not alone and there are people who can help
MY family, SELF awareness, and experiences that shape MENTAL HEALTH
Inclusion and positive identity representation in musical theater
Sustainable Goal: Reduced Inequalities
For my project, I worked with the director of our eighth grade musical, VanNessa, to make changes to the Willy Wonka script. We made sure to look out for body shaming, sexist, and racist language We made many changes to make the script more inclusive, and I hope people feel that the changes were necessary. I will also be talking to the cast about the changes and giving a short presentation to the audience during our Spring Musical productions.
I hope that everyone watching a musical feels seen, valued, and included.
Sustainable Goal: Responsible Consumption
I wanted to inform people about problems in the world that might have not been recognized and also combine it with my love for food. One of the staple foods in my country is rice, and its farms are getting damaged through the farming process itself I interviewed a hobby chef and attempted to interview a favorite restaurant of mine I gathered notes and support from all the adults and mentor about the impacts in the rice industry. I plan to cook a meal made almost entirely from rice and share about my SIL project at the same time
To the people who say ‘It’s not that deep bro,’ sometimes all you can see is the surface and not what is really going on
Rice farm sustainability
Ensuring women's safety, support, and reproductive rights
Sustainable Goal: Gender Equality
I partnered with Chloe to help promote a basket drive, an effort to put together 100 baskets with wellness items to support local women. Then, I began to work on creating a website for our youth advocacy council for gender equity and reproductive justice, GEYA Chloe and I delivered the wellness baskets to women ' s support groups at Healing Grove Health Center in San Jose
I've learned to utilize my skills in art to spread awareness and accomplish goals. I hope to further incorporate my talents into the creation of GEYA, a youth advocacy council for gender equity and reproductive justice
Sustainable Goal: Health + Well-Being
I like volleyball and it's hard to play in front of everyone if they're always judging you When people think you can't play, or if they're pressuring you to do well, it's really hard to get better I am making a video about a girl overcoming people judging her She won't care about the people judging her and pressuring her and she will just play as she wants By doing this consistently, she gets better and makes it onto the team.
It's hard to go far, but you'll feel great when you make it.
Overcoming what others think of youAccess to sports and healthy well-being
Sustainable Goal: Health + Well-Being
I researched the positive impacts of sports on health and well-being and how those could help people experiencing poverty. I then decided I was going to try to make a drive for sports equipment, but when no organizations were willing to work with me, I pivoted my project to more of an awareness project. I made a plan for how people can help out with this problem in their own communities and also made slides to hopefully bring awareness to this issue.
Access to sports should be a human right.
Sustainable Goal: Life On Land
Animals and wildlife; they’re beautiful and deserve a happy healthy life.
Calvin, Shyla, and I ran a drive for an animal shelter, providing fundamental supplies they needed. We each played a key part in this. I created posters and came up with the name; Calvin created the script for the Flag announcement; and Shyla communicated with the animal shelter. We are so grateful for their support of our effort In the end we received a $700 dollar check and loads and loads of food, toys, and other vital necessities that will. significantly improve animals' quality of life
So much work is put into keeping animals safe, but it’s still not enough. Animals can't fight for their own needs so it's important for humans to advocate for and support their needs!
Sustainable Goal: Gender Equality
Reproductive rights and freedom Women should be able to choose whatever the circumstance
I made a animation about an inspiring group of women and the impact they made on the issue of reproductive rights for women. I found their story important and wanted to share it. My goal is to bring awareness to reproductive rights, how it has historically played out, and how this story relates to now. I used Story Xperiential to create a Pixar animated film that connects the history of reproductive rights activism with events happening today.
“When it comes to reproductive injustices, history is repeating itself.”
Sustainable Goal: Quality Education
Promoting reading education that engages and meets the needs of all types of learners
I looked into what makes it easy and exciting for kids to build a positive relationship with reading. I conducted research to find out what kinds of books encourage all kinds of learners to be excited about reading I put together a collection of these kinds of books and plan to make an area in the Scott Center Library in the Impact Lab at Hillbrook for them
Hopefully, kids who seem disinterested in reading can find something that excites them in the Scott Center library, and learn to love reading just as I have
I learned that somone's relationship with reading is incredibly important and we need to ensure that all kinds of learners have access to engaging books. Reading is a gift that should be shared with everyone
Sustainable Goal: Climate Action
Climate Change and how a lack of action affects young people's mental health.
Climate change has been affecting all people
In particular, young people's mental health has been deteriorating due to the lack of action. To address this issue, I made a video/slide deck in order to give people hope about the future of our planet
Efforts to combat Climate Change are are having and impact and we need to do more. In the last decade, there has been an apparent lack of action in rebuilding Earth's climate. Yet solar prices have decreased ten fold, and the ozone layer is ninety-nine percent healed. Sometimes "lack" doesn't mean none Just because there is still a lot to be done, it does not mean that we have not made progress
Sustainable Goal: Climate Action
Keeping our planet free of trash so we can continue to enjoy our beaches, oceans and mountains.
I am doing a group project with Soren and Sloan and we are making a mural on campus in the 3rd and 4th building. Our mural depicts the beauty of nature. We are trying to spread awareness regarding SDG #13 Climate Action. We know sometimes climate advocacy is as simple as seeing the mural and being aware of the problem and taking the initiative to throw one ' s own trash away Even if it isn't their trash, maybe students will be inspired to genuinely help and pick up someone else's trash if they walk by it We want fewer people saying "oh well" and more people saying "I can do something to help "
There's no limit to learning when you have an open mind. I have never been around art all that much and here I am painting a big mural at Hillbrook. That's pretty awesome and makes me proud that I took a risk to learn a new skill while also getting to advocate for something that matters to me It's not just a painting Our mural stands for something important.
Mental Health.
Sustainable Goal: Health + Well-Being
For my social impact project, I made a mental health documentary I started by researching I made a survey about mental health support in schools and sent it to a number of students and teachers Then, I interviewed some Hillbrook students and teachers to learn more I am using my research findings to write and edit a script for a documentary I am creating I plan to share the final product with Hillbrook students and faculty.
My research and interviews helped me learn more about the need for mental health support. I was also surprised to discover how much some people care about this issue.
Sustainable Goal: Partnership
I created a project that brought my communities together: Hillbrook School and Healing Grove Health Center. Working with artist Lou Jimenez and community leader Brett Bymaster, I designed a mural to honor Maria Marcelo Maria meant a lot to me and to my community because she worked tirelessly to make others' lives better, even when she was struggling herself A team of Healing Grove and Hillbrook Community members will come together to paint it this summer
I don't need an adult to be there every step of the way so that I can make a change. Meaningful social impact CAN start with me, but I can't do it alone either. Making change takes a community
My latino community, my family in San José and honoring those who make it stronger
Sustainable Goal: Life Below Water
I love the ocean, I love being in it and looking at it My group made a documentary about micro plastics polluting the ocean and how you can help eliminate them from the ocean ' s ecosystem Our project shares ideas and knowledge about ocean pollution and how to prevent it. More specifically, it focuses on how micro-plastics affect not only the health of one organism, but the whole food chain
The knowledge I have gained through talking with people and peers has been one of the most valuable resources
Micro-plastics in the oceanSustainable Goal: Gender Equality
Engaging youth in advocacy for gender equality and the fight for reproductive rights
I worked with Kai and our goal was to found a youth advocacy council for gender equity and reproductive justice while also creating an immediate impact in the community. With the help of the awesome Hillbrook community, we packed a total of 100 care baskets and were able to donate them to the "Madre a Madre" group at Healing Grove Health Center in San Jose We are now working on creating our gender equity organization, a gender equity and youth advocacy council, called GEYA. Keep a lookout for the date of our first meeting!
The biggest thing I have learned from our SIL project is how much time it takes to run a project from beginning to end and how to persevere when the project takes longer than expected.
Sustainable Goal: Life Below Water
At first I wanted to make an animated video using Story Xperiential I researched ocean acidification and realized that Story Xperiential was not right for my project. I talked to my mentor and decided to make a Prezi presentation to help educate others about how ocean acidification works and all the effects it has on life in the ocean
It's not about the product, it's about what you learned on the way.
The negative impacts of ocean acidifcationSustainable Goal: Quality Education
Access to books for people of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
I built a book box to offer more books to people who don't have access to buy books My book box is a place to get books for free. I've decided on a location for my book box according to public library locations in San Jose My box will be in an area that has fewer libraries. I hope the outcome of this project will be a happier and healthier community Also I am taking input on what books to put in it
Research is just as important as building
Sustainable Goal: Reduced Inequalities
I made an animation about two kids who are not gendered By making the animation I am showing people that if someone is queer that doesn't affect the quality of the story, and it doesn't have to be the main focus of the story Too often queer characters are represented as tropes who are all the same. I want to normalize being queer or part of the LGBTQ+ community
I think it is important that everyone is represented in film, no matter their gender or sexuality. I want to be an actor and be known for my talent not for being queer.
LGBTQ+ representation in film
Sustainable Goal: Industry + Innovation
Accessibility to sports, especially field hockey, in low income communities and developing countries
I researched how to create a more sustainable field hockey field that would benefit the environment and also make the sport more accessible to low income communities. The current field is made of grass, but it requires too much water I have found two AstroTurf solutions that are cheaper and better for the environment They make playing field hockey more accessible to all communities They are both smaller versions of the traditional field. These possible solutions will make the sport more popular because more people will be able to play
I have realized that all it takes is one person to make a positive difference in the word, and that person can be of any age
Sustainable Goal: Life Below Water
My group and I made a documentary about pollution in and around the ocean We interviewed experts, such as our Science teacher, and researchers at Seymour Aquatic Center We filmed plastic pollution in the ocean and on the beach During this process we collaborated with a classmate at a beach cleanup That was a big part of it for me because we got to collaborate and connect with others passionate about the same issues.
“Cleaning up the ocean requires much more work than than I could have ever imagined. In one hour we collected six pounds of trash It shouldn't be possible to pick up six pounds in an hour ”
How plastics pollute the ocean I also really like creating videos.Sustainable Goal: Partnership
For my project, I came up with a marketing system for Alina Skincare called, "Subscribe to the Seasons," where we repackage our products, rotate which organizations we support, and restock our clients' products every season Essentially, we ' re fusing our clients' wellness practices with nature's essence during each time of year It's a marketing strategy that allows everyone related to the company, and surrounding communities, to benefit from our work.
I now understand that companies can and should work to partner with other organizations to achieve goals that benefit people and planet (for example, the SDGs) as a model for their business
Promoting businesses that benefit people, local communities, and the world.
Sustainable Goal: Life Below Water
In partnership with Dean, Aidan and Gavin, we have created a documentary, which is all about ways to protect and help animals below water. We had the privilege to interview our science teacher, a marine biologist She has delivered a great talk on what we can do as individuals to help protect the ocean. We also got some tips from the Cage Free Production team about what makes documentaries powerful and inspiring. We wanted to make a film presentation so that it could live on beyond just our SIL class
I now understand that making a documentary is a big undertaking and even if one video doesn't work, it's okay because there will be other things that come out in a surprising way. I also learned that I really like working in a group
Keeping our oceans clean from waste and garbage.
Sustainable Goal: Health + Well-Being
For my social impact project, I am making stickers customized for Hillbrook students in First through Fourth grades I asked students in each grade what they like and then made stickers from scratch, creating images that reflect what the students shared. I then added an encouraging quote to each sticker My goal is to boost young students' outlook on school and to improve their experiences while at school I'm hoping that these stickers provide some support for the students' mental health
I learned that quotations can be encouraging and meaningful, especially these words from Yoda: "Do or do not There is no try "
Mental health and well-being
Sustainable Goal: Health + Well-Being
I wanted to create a project that will educate young students about their mind and how to respect themselves and their mistakes. I am writing and illustrating a children's book on the topic After finding the idea, I connected with Ms Aguirre to begin my writing process and get a second set of eyes on my work. Soon after, Ms Hale also came in, advising me for the illustrations Then I edited my work, both in my text and artistically, to work toward a finished book which I expect to keep working on and publish after the SIL Summit
Mental well-being is directly tied to your consciousness. Once you program your mind to respond to situations in a negative way, they become a habit and you grow to be good at it So, when you try to “fix” your mental state, you find that you won't ever be the same as before. However, you can tame your mind's eye and become aware, allowing yourself to thrive
Cyber
Sustainable Goal: Quality Education
Many people online share personal information and fall for online scams This matters to me because a lot of people are affected by something that could be easily prevented. I made stickers with a QR code and the phrase "Feeling lucky? Want 20 bucks? Scan this!"
The QR code leads to a website I made that teaches people about the importance of not falling for obvious, and not so obvious, scams online.
"I tried something really big, and what I originally thought I would do didn't work so I had to change my approach My new plan ended up being much easier so what I learned is that when things don't work you have to try a different approach.Harder isn't always better"
safety and protection from online scamsSustainable Goal: Life Below Water
Clean ocean and beaches; using less plastic on a regular basis.
I researched organizations dedicated to taking care of our oceans and beaches I connected with the Surfrider organization and learned that I could work with them to organize a beach clean up event I organized Hillbrook's first beach clean up I made a poster to promote it; walked all over campus and announced my event I connected with communications to announce on Social Media as well. The beach clean up took place on March 19 from 1 P.M. to 3 P.M.. We picked up upwards of 10 pounds of trash!
At the beginning of my project I questioned if I would be able to organize a clean up at all, but now I learned that I am more than capable of organizing a successful event.
Sustainable Goal: Life On Land
For my project, I worked with Trevor and Calvin First, we conducted research to find a shelter that we could partner with: Silicon Valley Animal Control They provided a list of items that they need to support the animals in their shelter To support their work, we organized a drive at Hillbrook To promote it, we created a poster and placed it around campus We also spoke during Flag to share how our community could help support our cause. We collected donations, both money and goods, and made a video to educate students about our project and the organization.
Initially, we were going to focus on fostering dogs, but we pivoted once we learned that not everyone has the resources to do so We learned that even though lots of people want to help, not everyone has the opportunity to do so So, we tried to create a way for more people to be able to help contribute and have an impact
Supporting the protection of and care for dogs in our community.