The Power of Industry Partnerships to Ignite Student Learning
Hands-on, career-connected learning is flourishing at Da Vinci Schools where students gain powerful learning experiences beyond the classroom working alongside our industry partners. Check out five exciting collaborations that are keeping students engaged and excited about their futures.
A Transformative Day at Snap: Empowering Computer Science Youth in Tech
Our Computer Science students at Da Vinci Communications had the incredible opportunity to visit Snap.
Snap is dedicated to enriching the educational experiences of youth by offering immersive visits that expose them to the world of technology and augmented reality.
During the visit, students were warmly welcomed by the team members at Snap, who generously shared their expertise and insights. One of the highlights of the visit was the opportunity for our students to create their own augmented reality filters. Under the guidance of the Snap team, they navigated through the process of designing and implementing these filters. Our students were excited to have access to professional software and the mentorship of Snap’s network of professionals.
Throughout the day, the Snap team not only imparted technical knowledge but also offered invaluable advice on community college and university paths, the power of networking, and the importance of maintaining a portfolio. Snap team members answered student questions and provided guidance every step of the way.
As one of our students, Roman Pecora, expressed, “Having this experience with industry professionals and access to professional software was truly an eye-opening experience. I left the facility with a drive to continue pursuing computer science.” We extend our gratitude to the kind people at Snap for their seamless and welcoming presentation, as well as their dedication to inspiring our youth.
**
Lights, Camera, Change: Da Vinci Connect Students’ Collaboration with Picture Motion
Da Vinci Connect High students are currently immersed in a dynamic design challenge through Portal Learning’s program in collaboration with Picture Motion, a leading social impact agency renowned for its groundbreaking advocacy and marketing campaigns across various media platforms. Picture Motion’s expertise lies in connecting storytellers with a vast network of activists, nonprofits, and foundations, to catalyze social movements through compelling content. Their mission is clear: to utilize storytelling as a catalyst for empathy, sparking meaningful conversations and inciting action.
In this challenge, Da Vinci Connect students are tasked with distilling a 97-minute film, ‘Generation Growth,’ into a concise 30-minute version tailored specifically for middle and high school students. Acting as independent editorial and marketing consultants, their role is pivotal in ensuring that the adapted narrative deeply resonates with the target audience while staying true to the film’s overarching message and impact. “This experience was fantastic at improving my management and communication skills,” shared Mokai Balogun, a current junior at Connect High School. This project enables students with a real-world opportunity to contribute to a film impact campaign.
Students are actively involved in shaping a social media content campaign to promote a screening of ’36 Seconds,’ which explores the lives of Americans charged with hate crimes. Students are encouraged to explore innovative strategies to incentivize audiences to attend the screening and to foster engagement and dialogue around this issue. The collaboration between Da Vinci Connect students, Portal Learning, and Picture Motion speaks to the power of merging education, entertainment, and advocacy.
**
Artistry in Action: Da Vinci Design 10th Graders Explore Indigenous Culture with Judy Baca
This year, our 10th-grade Da Vinci Design students participated in an inspiring interdisciplinary project driven by a compelling question: How does understanding indigenous culture influence perspectives on diversity, identity, environmental stewardship, and the preservation of traditional knowledge?
Drawing from their readings of “The Marrow Thieves” in English class, exploration of indigenous communities in Spanish, and study of the Armenian Genocide in history, students crafted thought-provoking artwork, in response to this curriculum. To learn how historical narratives are preserved in communities, students participated in a field trip to visit the Great Wall in the San Fernando Valley, painted in 1974.
The development of the mural was spearheaded by Judy Baca, a renowned American artist and activist. As the co-founder and artistic director of the Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC), she advocated for the creation of the Great Wall of Los Angeles community project seeking to center the struggles of everyday people. The mural was painted with the support of artists, oral historians, scholars, and over 400 youth and families from diverse social and economic backgrounds. Some of the events portrayed in the mural include the Dust Bowl Journey, Japanese American internment during World War II, the Zoot Suit Riots, and the Freedom Bus Ride. Students worked with the SPARC team to complete a scavenger hunt that enabled them to learn more about this mural and its rich history.
Later that afternoon, students visited the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) for a memorable encounter with Baca and her artistic team. Influenced by this enriching experience, students are preparing their murals to be showcased at the upcoming school exhibition night. Jason Kartez, a 10th-grade teacher at Da Vinci Design shared, “Exposing students to real-world learning opportunities grants them access to meaningful experiences. These connections are influencing the artwork that my students make and it is also affirming that what they are doing matters.”
**
Empowering Dreams: The Partnership between RISE and Sharefest
Da Vinci RISE High is proudly partnering with Sharefest, an organization dedicated to helping youth transcend economic barriers and realize their full potential through accelerated life skills and career development courses. For nearly 20 years, Sharefest has supported under-resourced and disconnected youth across Los Angeles through educational support, ongoing mentoring, and initiating opportunities for students to build their networks while exploring multiple pathways to success. This dynamic collaboration between RISE High and Sharefest was initiated in late 2022 with programs offered at RISE’s campus at Richstone Family Center and A Place Called Home.
Sharefest instructors engage with RISE students twice a week for hour-long sessions. At Richstone, Ms. Phonnyta Seng, Sharefest’s instructor, starts her class every day with warm-up questions like “What does power mean to you? What is your take on failure? How do you feel about your future.” This prompts students to practice their public speaking and critical thinking skills. Instructors work closely with students, offering personalized career planning sessions, weekly classes, field trips, and opportunities for internships post-graduation. They also host guest speakers from diverse fields like finance, trades, academia, and athletics, exposing students to various career possibilities. Students develop Individualized Career Plans aligned with their aspirations.
Reflecting on the partnership, Thomas Valencia, the Director of Education at Sharefest shared, “Working with Da Vinci RISE High School has allowed us to make a real impact. Even before our programming started, RISE students were completing our Summer Internship program. Our collaboration with Da Vinci Schools is rooted in supporting students on their journey to graduation and beyond. It’s been a fantastic experience, and we’re excited to continue evolving our partnership, expanding activities, and events to empower students further.”
**
From Classroom to Clinic: Biomedical Engineering Seniors Host Grand Rounds
Mr. Jeremy Wong, the Biomedical Engineering Pathway Teacher at Da Vinci Science believes in providing our students with hands-on, immersive experiences that prepare them for success in their medical field. This semester, his 12th-grade students participated in the annual Grand Rounds Project, an initiative that showcased students’ culmination of skills and knowledge.
This project is designed to simulate the real-world diagnostic process encountered by medical professionals. Students were tasked with diagnosing a fictional patient of their choosing, documenting their diagnosis process from start to finish. Students drew from a wide range of skills they learned through the biomedical pathway curriculum, from understanding the fundamentals of human anatomy and physiology to mastering medical terminology.
What made this project truly special was the involvement of esteemed doctors who graciously served as panelists for our Grand Rounds. They were able to lend their expertise, guidance, and feedback, enriching the learning experience for our students. Dr. Ian Kramer, shared, “I have given the introductory speech for several years now. I try to encourage the students to find their own path in healthcare beyond becoming a doctor. We discuss the application processes in Medicine and I make the key point that volunteer work and community service are vital. They teach us values. Help others and explore new worlds we might normally not encounter.”
The Grand Rounds sessions were dynamic and interactive, allowing students to present their diagnostic findings, rationale, and proposed treatment plans. Through case discussions and problem-solving exercises, students honed their critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills – essential qualities for success in the medical field. Students learned to navigate diagnostic dilemmas, consider differential diagnoses, and weigh the potential risks and benefits of various treatment options.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the doctors who generously shared their time and expertise.
