Signature Senior
Projects
Celebrating the Class of 2013 | May 30, 5-7 p.m. in the Great Room
The Senior Signature Project is the capstone to The Bay School’s academic curriculum. It is an opportunity for students to explore an area of interest in depth and to apply their knowledge to the real world. While students gain a deeper understanding of their chosen topic, they also learn project management skills, time management, organization and professionalism. The Senior Signature Project promotes personal growth and leadership as students learn to problem-solve and work independently. Students begin by proposing an Essential Question to guide their investigation and set the scope of their work. They then design and complete a unique project with the help and guidance of an expert in the field who serves as their mentor. Because students reflect on their values, skills and interests when choosing a project, topics vary from year to year, from student to student. We hope that you enjoy the unique projects the students are presenting this year. Thank you for joining us to celebrate the Class of 2013! Chris Argenziano and Dave Wang Directors, Senior Signature Projects
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Overview of the Evening 5-7 p.m. The majority of the class of 2013 will present from on the first floor in the Great Room, cafeteria, library and courtyard. A few students will present in upstairs classrooms as indicated throughout the program. 6 p.m. We invite you to attend one of the following presentations, film screenings and Q&A sessions in various locations throughout the school. Please consult your program for a summary of these projects.
Yani & Olivia | An Original Play Based on Student Interviews Room 233 James | A Platform: Q&A on the Art Installation Third floor landing Joe | Way Up High: A Film About the Experience of Rock Climbing Room 227 Minkee | Striked Out: A Documentary About Anti-Labor Propaganda Room 225 Chris | Confocal Microscopy Room 245
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Presentations & Exhibits
Yani & Olivia | An Original Play Based on Student Interviews Mentor: Tony Asaro | 6 p.m. in room 233 Theater is a form of entertainment, but can it also be used to change the way people think? We attemped to reflect real high school life through our play. Based on Bay student interviews, written by Yani Alexander and directed by Olivia Lee, “Rendering Likeness� attempts to bring light to high school issues that are rarely talked about. Eden & Elizabeth | Community Garden Mentor: Theresa Foster
We are interested in nature and passionate about connecting with the Earth and people in meaningful ways. We were curious how an edible garden could serve as a catalyst for these connections, so we designed and constructed a community garden at Bay.
Olivia helps Eden and Elizabeth put the finishing touches on their community garden. 4 | Senior Signature Projects Exhibition 2013
Jesse | Mindfulness in Nature Mentor: Jim Sano
I designed and led a five-day backpacking trip during Intersession in which students took part in various types of mindfulness exercises and meditations. The trip culminated in an overnight solo quest which lasted 24 hours. Students left with a greater appreciation of their natural surroundings and a better sense of themselves. Kevin | Past and Present: The Evolution of Modern Mammals Mentor: Raquel Sturges, Independent Artist
Mammals are incredibly successful and diverse, but many people don’t know where they came from or how they evolved. By looking into a world of woolly mammoths and carnivorous whales, we can see how prehistoric mammals ladapted to their environments and evolved into the mammals of today. Charlotte | Start-Ups: Real-World Marketing Experience Mentor: Janet Vennari
Lydali (www.lydali.com) is an online retail startup that sells artisanal goods produced in developing countries. I worked as Lydali’s advertising intern. I created the company’s new tagline, designed and produced a new series of ads and performed quantitative market research to analyze consumer response. I gained real-world insight into how small businesses market their goods and services. Andreas | Boat Building Mentor: Alex Hirsig of Spaulding Boat Center
I sought to learn the intricacies of traditional boatbuilding.To do this, I enlisted the help of the Spaulding Boat Center, which provides boat-building courses to youth. Here, I refined my carpentry skills and boat-building knowledge by creating a detailed scale model of a dory designed by Bob Darr. I learned how to shape wood, handle tools and assemble the boat, piece by piece. Senior Signature Projects Exhibition 2013 | 5
Gemma | Art Therapy Mentor: Caren Andrews, art teacher at San Francisco Friends School
Art has always been the most personal means of expression for me. I wanted to take art not only as a creative expression but a therapeutic tool, and bring that to a place I knew kids would benefit. I volunteered at Family House, a nonprofit that houses ill children and their families. From there, I photographed, interviewed and collected anecdotes on what art has meant to various artists in my life. Walker | Class Recording at The Bay School Mentor: Relly Brandman of Coursera
From Coursera to M.I.T.’s OpenCourseWare, we are witnessing an exciting revolution in education with more and more courses being made available online. My project established a simple and user-friendly platform for recording and archiving classes at Bay. My hope is that this will be an asset to not only individual students but to the community as a whole. Brittany | Ocean Conservation Mural Mentor: Jennifer Ewing of Ewing & Germano | 5-7 p.m on second floor landing I created a mural with collaborating artists to promote ocean conservation and inspire the community. I was able to combine my passions for art and the ocean. My goal in collaborating with different artists was to mix street art and fine art to create a piece that was inspiring.
Lee | Training a Horse Mentor: Jeanette Jacobi
I focused on the communication aspect of training a horse.The horse, Chelsea, had basic training but was not fit for lessons with beginner or intermediate riders. As I trained Chelsea, I focused on my nonverbal communication skills. I then related the nonverbal skills I learned as a trainer to interactions with teachers and peers. John & Alex | Octocopter Mentor: Tony DeRose of Pixar
We built an autonomous, flying 8-rotor drone that we would be able to control through RC to create an aerial rig for a camera. We then applied this technology to capture unique and incredible shots of Bay sports teams and other events, helping increase community involvement. 6 | Senior Signature Projects Exhibition 2013
Gabe | Energy Efficiency at The Bay School Mentor: Jeff Graham of Graham Architects
According to Presidio Trust regulations, The Bay School’s 35 Keyes Avenue building must retain its original, historic architecture and structural design. As a result, the overall energy efficiency of the school suffered. I explored ways the school could feasibly and inexpensively reduce energy usage and created proposals to replace light fixtures on the ground floor and install solar cells on the roof of the building. Amanda | Ethics:The Search for the Good Life Mentor: Robin Workman
I created an ethics course to encourage students to grapple with what it means to live consciously, exploring our responsibilities to self and society. The curriculum seeks to make philosophy accessible to a wide range of students by addressing core themes through contemporary and classical thinkers, film and literature. The course explores central questions pertaining to freedom and obligation, individuality versus the collective and the validity of fixed moral codes. Henry | Music Composition Mentor: Scott Nygaard, Editor of Acoustic Guitar Magazine
There is no clear evolutionary explanation for why we, as humans, experience profound joy and an inexplicable sense of self-transcendence while we play and listen to music; music continues to be an art that permeates every culture on earth. My project explores the creation of music that is profound and enjoyable. Brendan | Capturing The Bay School Spirit Mentor: Karyn Yandow
How can one use narrative photography skills to capture and present specific messages to a target audience? Namely, how can one invoke a sense of school spirit and raise interest within potential Bay students? By learning narrative portraiture and identifying key aspects of Bay’s school spirit, I have captured and created a photo book directed toward prospective students.
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Sam | Design of Analog Devices for Music Production (Synthesizers) Mentor: Tom Oberheim, Oberheim Electronics
The goal of my project was to design and build an analog synthesizer for music production. I explored several complex topics, including electrical engineering, circuit design, prototyping, production and physical construction. Daisy | Building a Ukulele Mentor: Peter Hurney of Pohaku Ukuleles
I built a ukulele to gain a better understanding of its form and function. Through the process, I learned about acoustical physics, instrument design and material selection as well as many subtle aspects of constructing ukulele. Fiona | Recruiting for the Future Mentor: Eli Kersh-Oliva
Student Advisors for Education ((SAFE)) is an advocacy group for students with learning disabilities. I established e a permanent recruiting arm of SAFE to increase the diversity of schools in the orga organization and to give future members the tools to address relevant issues. Eva | It’s Owl Good Mentor: Joe Fox of tthe Hungry Owl Project
Daisy participates in one of Ilana’s mindfulness workshops.
Bay Area owls fa face a number of threats to their surv survival. Frequently, they are killed when wh they ingest rats that have ingested poison put out by humans. With the help of local nonprofit the Hung Hungry Owl Project, I learned the bene benefits of using barn owls and other ppredatory birds as natural pest co control and an alternative to rod rodenticides. I also built four owl boxes, all of which will barn o eve eventually be installed around the Bay Area. th
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Alec & Jake | King of the Hill Presidio Mentor: Clint Hocking of Valve Software
What aspects of video game environments are most important to keep users coming back to play the game over and over? Could we create an innovative and engaging map that would fit this bill? We created an original, virtual environment for the video game Team Fortress 2 (developed by Valve Software) in order to answer these intriguing questions. Luke | Binocular Telescope Mentor: Gary Bengier
I’ve always looked up at the sky with wonder, begging to know what lies beyond. What does the moon look like up close? What do Saturn’s rings look like? How big is Jupiter? Naturally I sought an answer, so I built a binocular telescope. Alec | Teaching Life Skills Through Golf Mentor: Jonathan Lee
My goal was to teach life skills and moral values through the game of golf. I was able to teach young kids at Harding Park Golf Course every Saturday through the First Tee of San Francisco. While I would help the kids with their golf swings, the majority of my time was spent on teaching the kids about honesty, courtesy, responsibility, integrity, perseverance, sportsmanship, judgement, respect and confidence. I believe that these nine values are the most important things that can be learned from the playing the game of golf. James | A Platform Mentor: Dennis Crowe of VehicleSF | 6 p.m. on third floor landing
My goal was to display student artwork that would otherwise have been hidden away in sketchbooks. I crafted an installation to be a platform for this art and challenged myself with a sculptural endeavor unlike anything I had tried before. Jacob | Hipster Radio Mentor: Howie Gelman
I created a series of podcasts modeled after NPR’s “This American Life.” I like to listen to the program, and I wanted to make my own.
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Logan | The Outdoors: Encouraging the Next Generation Mentor: Dan Robinson of East Oakland Boxing Association
My passion is the outdoors, and I wanted to go on a trip of some sort. I also wanted to contribute to the great wave of organizations trying to motivate Americans to lead healthier lives. My project centered on designing and leading an outdoor hike at Mount Diablo for kids in the East Oakland Boxing Association. Summer & Valerie | International Aid and Privilege Mentor: Sara Ortega Roliz of Mira Scholars Foundation
International Aid can be a very detached process, as many donors just enter a credit card number online. Through our backpack and school supply drive, we hoped that donors would be more mindful of what they donate. We also posted impact words, phrases and questions around the campus to create discussion around material and educational privilege. Wali | The Power of Hydrogen Mentor: Onno Koelman of PAX Water Technologies
Hydrogen could potentially take on an important role in our energy economy. It is extracted from water, easily contained and transported and gives off zero emissions; it is one of the safest known fuels. I explored the uses and limitations of hydrogen as an energy source and constructed a fuel cell capable of producing electricity by consuming only hydrogen. Lucas | Core Lessons for Young Basketball Players Mentor: Melvin Smith & Sogolon Best
What are the most important lessons for young basketball players in the early stages of development? I aimed to find answers by coaching middle schoolers and interviewing several experienced coaches in my community.These cumulative experiences allowed me to answer my Essential Question, gain valuable leadership experience and shape a new perspective on my favorite sport. Ilana | Mindfulness Workshops Mentor: Kate Janke of The Heart-Mind Education Project
Inspired by the Buddhism class I took junior year, I decided to build awareness about mindfulness and Buddhist concepts through workshops.Throughout the year, I built curricula and lesson plans, taught workshops and organized The Bay School’s first mindfulness retreat. 10 | Senior Signature Projects Exhibition 2013
Martin | Sino-American Trade Mentor: Dr. Sean Randolph, Ph.D.
Sino-American trade is complicated. It employs millions of people, is worth hundreds of billions of dollars and has been and probably will continue to be an integral feature of the global economy. I have explored certain features of Sino-American trade, delving into topics including protectionism, Chinese taxation and American savings rates. Kathleen | SeaChange Mentors: Cori Currier & Heidi Kleinmaus of Save Nature and Google Publication
I put together an educational event that informed, inspired and showed the importance of marine conservation. The event featured speakers Wallace J. Nichols (Bluemind), Rebecca Johnson (Academy of Science) and Fabien Cousteau (PlantaFish). Organizations such as the Turtle Network and Marine Mammal Center as well as Bay students held classroom sessions on specific ocean topics. Olivia | Film Photography: Exploring the Natural and Unnatural Mentor: Meghann Riepenhoff
I tried to capture my experience with the natural and unnatural worlds through photographic compositions. I worked in the darkroom experimenting with double exposures. I took photos of nature and human development in my neighborhood and layered the negatives to express the constant interaction between the two. Cat | Women in Business Mentor: Karin Campion of Sonoma Syrup
I began my project with one question: What challenges do women face in the business world? I surveyed women professionals from different aspects of the business world about their personal experiences. Rintaro | The Psychology of Horror Novels Mentor: June Donenfeld
What makes a horror story scary? I reviewed a number of psychology journals to understand the basic concept of fear. I also compared and contrasted the works of many horror writers. I then wrote a number of original horror stories that followed the rules and guidelines that I discovered. Senior Signature Projects Exhibition 2013 | 11
Isaias | Reviewing Newly Established Middle School Sports Program Mentor: Peter Hannibal
I interviewed 7th- and 8th-grade members of the newly established KIPP SF Bay Academy baseball and softball teams for the purpose of providing feedback to the coaching staff and faculty of KIPP so that the program may continue to flourish. Stefan & Ian | Woodwork and Meditation Mentor: Greg Rice | 5-7 p.m. in room 321 We set out to refurbish the Quiet Room to spark more students’ interest in mediation.We designed and built new pieces for the room, including a shoe rack, an altar to serve as a focal point and a storage container for meditation devices. We hope that our enhancements will allow people to practice a wider variety of meditation techniques, including music mediation, body scans and yoga. Kai | Creative Exploration Through Art Mentor: Adriene Harrison | 5-7 p.m. in room 230
I wanted to create something with my hands, heart and mind; I hoped to explore my own creativity, test my limits, challenge myself and end up with a final product I could be proud of. I decided to team up with a self-taught seamstress and learn how to design, sketch, make patterns and sew clothing. Nidalia | Raising Awareness for Palestine Mentor: Nawal Tamimi
My goal was to raise awareness and support for children living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. I volunteered at Middle East Children’s Alliance, attending information sessions and creating fundraiser events at The Bay School. I enjoyed meeting new people, scheduling events and doing something that could change the world. Julia | Student Leadership Seminar Mentor: Laurie Bodine of START Leadership
Inspired by my involvement in Bay’s Model United Nations Club and the National Student Leadership Conference I attended this past summer, I explored which qualities students need to lead successfully. My exploration morphed into the creation of a San Francisco High School Leadership Seminar to help students define inclusive leadership, reveal their own strengths and make lasting connections. 12 | Senior Signature Projects Exhibition 2013
Emmet | Geo-Dome Mentors: John Katzenberger & Brad d Niven
A bio-dome is a structure that can n house an autonomous ecosystem inside of it. It is made most commonly from ome model. I wanted both to Buckminster Fuller’s Geodesic Dome build something large and to studyy a closed system. Through trial ght into both topics. and error, I have gained much insight Joey | Electronic Music ship Production Compilation and Mentorship Mentor: Beth Custer
I learned production techniques the hard way – by producing my own electronic nic music. I decided to compile an album of those se Bay producers who showed interest and talent, mentoring them both in and outside the studio. Joseph & Shawn | Bringing New Spiritwear to The Bayy School
Arel joins Joe on a rock climbing trip.
Mentor: Jamie Tibbits of LikeMindedPeople ndedPeople
Working closely with the administration, on, we designed new apparel and redesigned the school’ ol’s spiritwear website.We learned how to turn our designs into final products that people would buy. Our goal was to use these new spiritwear items to increasee school spirit. Jackson | History in Motion: The Steam Locomotive Mentor: Ellen Thomsen of Redwood wood Valley Railway
How can historically important skills be preserved? I decided to find out by pursuing a longtime interest – trains. I spent pent over 300 hours learning how to operate historic steam locomotives to preserve this information within myself.
Joe | Way Up High Mentor: Melisa Peabody of Living ng World Films | 6 p.m. in room 227
I find rock climbing and the atmosphere re surrounding it appealing; I wondered if others who share my passion sion had the same motives. I set out to discover what makes climbing fun and nd how fear affects the experience.
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Jessie | Bay Through a Lens Mentor: Anne Hamersky, Photographer
Using photography, I helped promote awareness and interest of the activities and events going on at Bay within the community. I took photographs at numerous Bay events and created a club catalogue. I hope this will inform prospective and current students of the opportunities available to them. Anna | Hypothesizing Aliens Mentor: Jack Horner
What kind of complex life could moons Titan and Europa support? What would such creatures resemble? I answered these questions through research and ultimately with drawings and accompanying detailed explanations. Sarah | Food Education Project (School Garden) Mentor: Patrick Makiri of Sunset Green
Inspired by a passion for food education, I have been working at an after-school permaculture-based gardening program for students ages 11-17. Through handson garden work, field trips and various projects, I have worked to raise awareness about environmental sustainability, organic food access and urban gardening.
One of Anna’s imagined alien creatures.
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Minkee | “Striked Out” Mentor: Michael Phipps
What is the effect of words on public opinion? “Striked Out” is a short documentary on anti-labor propaganda during the 1930s. Focusing on the Mohawk Valley Formula, a propaganda methodology developed during the Remington Rand strike,“Striked Out” discusses propaganda’s presence in the media of today. Morgan | The Bully Project Mentor: Katie McDougall, Social Worker at Rooftop Alternative School
I worked with eight 8th-graders at St.Thomas of the Apostle School to create a safe and positive school environment. We discussed how to be an “upstander” when bullying situations occur in school. I facilitated an assembly for 6th-, 7th- and 8th-graders. I hope this program will inspire students to lead by example. Tamara | A Tree Grows in San Francisco: Writing a Memoir Mentor: Jane Hardwidge, MFA
Writing is my passion, and I decided to write a memoir about my experience having scoliosis. I described how scoliosis influences aspects of my life that might seem unrelated including ballet, my family and my religion. I shared my memoir with people who have scoliosis and those who do not, hoping to inspire people to share their own stories. Ayluonne | Empowering Minority Youth Through the Arts
Mentor: Melorra Green of the African American Arts and Culture Complex
As a member of a multi-ethnic and artistic family, I am intrigued by both ethnicity and creativity. Over the course of the year, I involved myself with a youth empowerment camp in South Africa and the African American Arts and Culture Complex. I have created an exhibit to share my experience and illustrate how the arts can begin to empower minority youth within our local and global community. Jonah | Creating a Guide on Chess Opening Theory Mentor: Jesse Dioquino
I chose to explore opening theory because it is a very structured aspect of chess that is easier to teach than other advanced chess theory. I independently researched openings and took note of effective methods. Using these methods, I wrote a guide to the openings I studied and shared the guide online. Senior Signature Projects Exhibition 2013 | 15
Chris | Confocal Microscopy Mentors: Kurt Thorn and Nico Stuurman | 6 p.m. in room 245
I constructed a point-scanning confocal microscope that might later be used in Bay’s science curriculum. Confocal microscopes are used to fluorescently image biological specimens and have been crucial in a number of monumental biological discoveries in recent years.This will allow future students to conduct advanced research and demonstrate complex concepts in a variety of science classes. Amelia | Creative DNA: A Writing Intersession Mentors: Daniel Handler and Ascha Drake
I designed and led an Intersession course that helped students reconnect with their creative DNA – their unique style of creative expression. My project focused on different forms of creative writing, including poems and short stories. By getting out into nature, away from the everyday distractions of technology and the buzz of the city, students were able to express themselves creatively and find joy in the art of writing. James | Rap Music: A Study in Defiance Mentor: Jay Harris
I explored the evolution of rap and hip-hop music in order to understand why it influences our youth culture so powerfully. I applied this learning to my own experience with in hopes of understanding its influence on my own life. Claire | Learning to Listen: The Role of Music Journalism in the Independent Music World Mentor: Julie Dyer, Editor-In-Chief at The Owl Mag
I worked with The Owl Mag, an online music magazine, writing about independent bands and their work. I learned what makes a good review and how to critically listen to music. As a bonus, I discovered some awesome new bands along the way.
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Julia | Cooking with Julia Mentor: Leah Brooks of Y.U.M. Chefs
I set up a cooking class that teaches high school seniors how to cook easy and affordable meals when they leave for college. I paired up with Y.U.M. chefs – an organization that offers cooking classes to kids and young adults – to work on planning and techniques. I held a series of cooking classes in my own kitchen. Kayley | The Gender Gap in STEM Fields Mentor: Melissa Hendershott of UCSF Mission Bay
I worked with a graduate student at a microtubule (part of a cell’s cytoskeleton) lab at UCSF Mission Bay. I organized a panel discussion with professional women in a variety of STEM fields to inspire young women to pursue interests in STEM fields and start conversations about the gender gap in The Bay School, Katherine Delmar Burke’s School and First Graduate communities.
Kai and Amelia talk Creative DNA at Morning Meeting. Senior Signature Projects Exhibition 2013 | 17
To Our Dedicated Mentors Thank you for your patience, hard work, and honest feedback. We could not have accomplished what we did without you! Caren Andrews Tony Asaro Karen Banks Gary Bengier Giuliana Blasi Laurie Bodine Gary Bolles Relly Brandman Leah Brooks Clifford Brown III Karin Campion Cori Currier Beth Custer Jesse Dioquino June Donenfeld Ascha Drake Tony DeRose Julie Dyer
Jennifer Ewing Theresa Foster Joe Fox Howie Gelman Jeff Graham Melorra Green Anne Hamersky Daniel Handler Jane Hardwidge Jay Harris Adrienne Harrison Peter Hannibal Melissa Hendershott Alex Hirsig Clint Hocking Jack Horner Peter Hurney Jeanette Jacobi
Congrats, Class of 2013! 18 | Senior Signature Projects Exhibition 2013
Kate Janke Kevin Johnson John Katzenburger Eli Kersh-Oliva Robert Kleiner Heidi Kleinmaus Onno Koelman Jonathan Lee Katherine McDougall Patrick Makiri Bill Moore Greg Mora Katherine Noble-Goodman Brad Niven Scott Nygaard Tom Oberheim Sara Ortega Melissa Peabody
Michael Phipps S. Sean Randolph Greg Rice Meghann Riepenhoff Dan Robinson Jim Sano Melvin Smith Raquel Sturgess Nico Stuurman Nawal Tamini Jamie Tibbetts Ellen Thomsen Kurt Thorn Jan Vennari Robin Workman Karen Yandow
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact Dave Wang at dwang@bayschoolsf.org to learn more.
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