The Beginning of Summer

We are one full week into summer vacation-- what a wonderful feeling! But that doesn’t mean we are taking a break from education. In the last week, members of our team have been doing some informal research. ​

***

I went to see an exhibit at The Charles River Museum called “The History of Disabilities in America.” It was researched, written, and curated by juniors at Gann Academy and was a major component of their US History class. With a special focus on The Fernald, these students curated a fascinating museum exhibit that brings into the light elements of our hidden history. Find some time this summer to check it out!

***

Ms. Long and Mr. Emery spent an afternoon at MIT to see the projects at EurekaFest to see the working prototypes developed by high school and college students who are solving real-world problems through invention. Some of their favorite inventions included:

• a personal alert system to warn students if someone is behind them when they attended night classes
• a Special Olympics Robotic Thrower to allow students with special needs to participate in sports
• a Smart Jacket with LED lights to make walkers visible in low light areas and protect them from traffic
• The Mosquito Agitator, meant to disrupt the reproduction of mosquitos in South Florida and prevent the spread of Zika
• a device to help search and rescue teams locate people better
• a BAC detector that works through touch alone and is outfitted on a steering wheel
  
  

They got great advice from some of the teachers who have been facilitating these projects throughout the year. One teacher's best advice was to just to jump in and do it and not wait until we have it completely figured out. She also said that it gets messy, both literally and metaphorically, and that we should embrace that.

While we are certainly trying to figure as much as beforehand as we can, it is safe to say that we also expect messy sections and will embrace those moments too.