WHSAD Sophomore, Jared Birks, took all photos in this story. On Thursday March 3rd, 10th Grade WHSAD Students attended Park Avenue Armory to experience Rashaad Newsome's exhibit, Assembly. This exhibition featured a large room with projected imagery on the walls, a walk through of art media showcasing both Black Queer and West African culture, and the exhibit's focal point, an A.I. named Being. This part of the exhibit consisted of an interactive workshop on decolonization that students and staff were able to engage in through dances, meditations, conversation, and questions led by Being. Those attending the workshop were asked to think about their own relationship to the capitalist, white supremacist patriarchy and how they can free … [Read more...]
Derek Ramos Matos’ Residential Home Design Project
In this series, students from Mr. Rodriguez' Grade 10 Architectural Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) class share their insights regarding their past, present, and future work. In the interest of context, Mr. Rodriguez first provides some thoughts about purpose and process. Then, Derek offers his thoughts about his work. Throughout the story are examples of Derek's work. Mr. Abraham Rodriguez What went into coming up with this project idea and execution? This year, the 10th Grade class is focusing on developing basic research, design, and technical skills by working on a year-long design project of a residential home. The main objective of the class is to introduce students to computer-aided design software such as … [Read more...]
Student Profile, Elyas Sherzai
How has it been adapting to WHSAD? How different was it from last year? It hasn't been so hard and I adapted fairly quickly. But some things I had to adapt to were the semesters and marking periods since it was a little confusing at first. How do you feel about this environment? How has the experience with students and teachers been? My experience so far has been amazing. An example is, my first period class which was with Mr. O. You would think it would be awkward being with people you have never met. But after 5 or 10 minutes almost everyone was becoming comfortable on the first day. Why did you choose WHSAD? I picked WHSAD because I want learn more about Architecture and my brother is a WHSAD graduate. Do you have … [Read more...]
Student Profile, Zaniya Pacius
How has it been adapting to high-school so far? How is it different from middle school? Adapting to high-school is a challenge for me personally because I am not used to the conditions and habits of in-person school. On the bright side, I enjoy myself because I began socializing more and making new friends. high-school is definitely not what I imagined or expected. High-school is different from middle school because I was homeschooled for all of middle school and it is significantly different from in person school. Also the assignments I get overall are more complex and challenging, but I've gotten used to it so far. How do you feel about this environment? How has the experience with students and teachers been? The environment is … [Read more...]
Student Profile, Felisha Solis
How has it been adapting to high-school so far? How is it different from middle school? "I think I've been good so far. I've already gotten adjusted to all of the classes I have, and I’ve created some goals for me to complete this year such as, how I want to get started on working or even get some experience with the projects that we do in Makerspace. Overall, I think everything I’ve had so far has been a smooth transition." How do you feel about this environment? How has the experience with students and teachers been? "Everybody's nice, the teachers and students are nice. And, if you need to ask for help, they'll help you. I think that if you treat people nice, you get the same treatment back." What are some projects … [Read more...]
Student Profile, George Pinto
How has it been adapting to WHSAD? How different was it from last year? Adapting to WHSAD was a little tricky at first because it's been so long since I've been in an environment with so many people I didn't know, but now I feel a lot more comfortable here. This year has been different from last year because we are in person full time, obviously, but also because I have to completely readapt to new people, rather than just the same people I had known for the past two years. How do you feel about this environment? How has the experience with students and teachers been? I really like the environment here because there are so many people interested in different things, and the teachers here are always trying … [Read more...]
Student Profile, Chelsea Garcia
How has it been adapting to high-school so far? How's it different from middle school? I feel as though I have adapted quite easily to high-school despite the many changes. One main difference for me was there not being any homeroom, which was such a strange concept to me after all the years of having a homeroom. How do you feel about the environment? How has your experience with students and teachers been? I personally love the environment at WHSAD because there are resources, experiences, creativity, and a community. But despite everyone participating in extraordinary things, people always treat others as equal. Everybody that I have come in contact with at this school- and I cannot stress this enough- has always … [Read more...]
Student Profile, Mia Kokilashvili
How has it been adapting to WHSAD? How different was it from last year? I am new to both WHSAD and to New York so everything has been different from last year, including the environment and the teaching ways, but WHSAD has made it very easy for me to adapt to the change. How do you feel about this environment? How has the experience with students and teachers been? I have always wanted to live in New York because I loved how fun it looked on the internet. I also knew the education system is better, and everything is more accessible, so for me this environment is new in a good way. I like all the teachers, they're all very helpful and make it very easy for me to catch up to the things I haven't learned before. The students … [Read more...]
Origami with Make: STEAM
At WHSAD, students are exposed to various activities which are often integrated into classes. Among the activities that students have been participating in recently is origami with Make: STEAM educator, Kate Yourke. Beginning on May 6th, this activity was included in the daily schedule as Ms. Yourke collaborated with students to create pieces and teach design applications. In order to realize the work students produced, Ms. Yourke taught a 4-class curriculum organized by aspects of origami. To view North Brooklyn Community News' article on the event, click here During Class 1, students were introduced to Yin and Yang, a Chinese philosophy that complete opposites hold a position to balance each other out, even when … [Read more...]
WHSAD Students Reflect on and Set Goals for The Tompkinsville Esplanade Project
At WHSAD, students have the opportunity to participate and learn from numerous partnerships and projects. An example of such a partnership is the Tompkinsville Esplanade project, which has been developed over the last few months by students. At the beginning of the project, students were given a simple overview and goal of the project to develop a design concept that would fit the needs of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC). They turned this information into a vision and presented the idea to stakeholders at the midterm. They received feedback in response to the presentation and updated their project accordingly. The second presentation of the project's progress was held on Wednesday, April 21st. In attendance were … [Read more...]