Monday, March 31, 2014

Student Work!

Ah, the end of term three has passed. You all did a terrific job and I'm proud of your growth and creativity!
Here are a few bits and pieces from the fabulous final projects and a couple of "Photo Friday" images as well:

Student Work: Vines

Extra Credit "Vine" Stop Motions. 6 seconds or less!





Friday, March 14, 2014

Cardboard Challenge!

Last night my daughter Maya participated in Cherry Creek School District's first Cardboard Challenge. Started by nine year old Caine Monroy and film maker Nirvan Mullick this has become a movement to inspire innovation in people of all ages. The story of how Nirvan discovered Caine's arcade has gone viral:




At Eaglecrest High School I was fascinated by the cardboard creations and impressed by the dedication of the students. I watched my own daughter work for hours every day after school, for three weeks, until she had finished her project. Best of all, she doesn't plan on stopping. She is continuing to form additional cardboard pieces. What better way to inspire creativity, play, and innovation?

My intent was to take pictures of all of the students' work, but there wasn't enough time. I did have the pleasure of playing many of the games. My photos don't even begin to do the projects justice. For one, many of them are kinetic and interactive. In addition, you can't capture the sheer joy and passion that these students have for their work. Speaking to them you could really see their enthusiasm.

A working piano! The Empire State Building complete with a moving airplane! A working telephone! Magical forest complete with "live" dragon and dragon eggs! An outfit made entirely out of recyclable materials and another entrepreneurial "shop" selling purses made of similar materials (complete with infomercial)! A recreation of the 2014 Winter Olympics games complete with medic tent and a moving gondola! There were even time machines! These items are just a few of the wonderful projects that were entered.

I am so proud of not only my daughter, but of all the participants. Keep on creating!

For more information, here is the official website:
Imagination Website

A few images:


The Mission of Imagination.is:
"The mission of the Imagination Foundation is to find, foster and fund creativity and entrepreneurship in children around the world to raise a new generation of innovators and problem solvers who have the tools they need to build the world they imagine. We envision a world in which creativity is a core social value and a critical skill developed in every child; where the innate passion, curiosity and creativity of children is nurtured in schools, homes and communities everywhere; where all children are taught to be creative thinkers and doers, and encouraged to make their very best ideas happen in the world."

For those of you that are curious, Maya made a volcano powered doll house. Her dolls now have a throne room, a treasure room guarded by a dragon, an outdoor patio with a pond, a kitchen filled with delicious treats, a martial arts room, and a bedroom. My favorite part is that her house is heated by the volcano, which was made with an almond milk bottle and the orange netting.



Note: Maya made this for her Monster High dolls, but did not make the Monster High dolls herself.