Celebrating Student Learning and Growth at Exhibition Nights
We are so proud of our students for showcasing their learning and growth at this month’s Exhibition Nights at Da Vinci Communications, Da Vinci Connect, and Da Vinci Design. Exhibitions provide all Da Vinci students in grades TK-12 with a unique platform to showcase and celebrate their learning with the community. Exhibitions are an important component of project-based learning and assessment, and provide a comprehensive view of each student’s knowledge and mastery of the curriculum.
Through hands-on, real-world learning, students deepen their understanding of the material and develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. Exhibitions also provide opportunities for students to learn essential skills such as collaboration, creativity and project management as students work across disciplines to solve complex problems and publicly share their learning with the community.
Interdisciplinary Learning at Da Vinci Design
There were many exciting projects this fall at Da Vinci Design, including the interdisciplinary “Conscious Consumption” project, where seniors from the architecture, entrepreneurship, and graphic design pathways collaborated to explore consumer habits and their environmental and societal impacts.
Architecture students designed abstract lamps using 3D modeling software and laser cutters to raise awareness of issues like overfishing, genetically modified crops, and fracking, reflecting on how consumer choices affect the global environment.
Entrepreneurship students created advertisements for local businesses aligned with causes such as environmental sustainability and social justice, applying visual semiotics and Barthes’ “The Rhetoric of the Image” to craft meaningful visuals– one example being a campaign showcasing Black identity through a Black-owned business.
In graphic design, students addressed topics such as fast fashion and plastic pollution by creating digital artwork in Adobe Illustrator, which they silkscreened onto tote bags to promote sustainability and conscious consumerism, with some students live-demonstrating their process during the exhibition to engage the audience directly.
City Life: DVC Photography Exhibit at the El Segundo Library
Students in the photography seminar presented their work at the El Segundo Library showcasing their journey through Downtown Los Angeles. Their assignment was to create environmental portraits, cityscapes, and detailed shots that reveal something distinctive about the urban landscape. The focus on these three genres allowed students to experiment with different perspectives, and each photograph speaks to the unique relationship between people and their environment.
Students were challenged to work exclusively in black and white, which added another layer of depth to their work. Without the distraction of color, the students were encouraged to focus on the fundamentals of photography—composition, lighting, and storytelling.
The exhibition is open to the public through December 12th at the El Segundo Public Library, located at 111 W Mariposa Ave, El Segundo, CA 90245.
Humans of DVC: A Multimedia Journalism Project
Students in the Multimedia Journalism pathway at Da Vinci Communications showcased their creativity through Humans of DVC, a podcast project highlighting their peers’ unique stories. The project challenged students to conduct interviews, capture photographs, and use editing software like Photoshop and Final Cut Pro to emphasize the power of storytelling.
For Stephen Thomas, the experience was an opportunity to step out into the world and learn about his peers. “The main skill I learned was how to ask proper questions, which has even helped me in the classroom,” Stephen shared. “I’ve learned how to rephrase questions, interpret emotions, and read body language.”
Already skilled in Photoshop and Final Cut Pro through his sports video company, Under The Radar Sports Media, Stephen found the project expanded his creativity and pushed his limits. Beyond his personal growth, he enjoyed helping classmates navigate editing tools. Projects like Humans of DVC not only equip students with technical skills, but also emphasize the power of storytelling to connect and inspire.
The 550 Marketplace: Entrepreneurship at Da Vinci Connect High
Da Vinci Connect High School hosted its 550 Marketplace, an entrepreneurship Exhibition where students presented their innovative business ideas and showcased their mission, goals, market research, and marketing strategies. The event transformed the school into a collective of mini-business, bringing together family, friends, and community members to celebrate creativity and entrepreneurship.
The “My Big Beautiful Brain” Project at Da Vinci Connect TK-8
On December 10th and 12th, students at Da Vinci Connect TK-8 will present their “My Big Beautiful Brain” project, exploring personal growth and self-awareness through the question, “If I could talk to parts of my brain, what would they say and why?”
Throughout the semester, students worked in teams to create talk show segments where they act as different parts of the brain, from the amygdala to the prefrontal cortex, using scripts, costumes, and research to explain how these regions manage emotions and decisions. As part of the project, each student identified three strategies for growing a specific part of their brain, offering practical advice on how to strengthen emotional regulation, improve decision-making, and enhance overall well-being.
Da Vinci Science will host its Exhibition in April 2025.
