Future Projects

Second Chance

In this project, students will be exploring the concept of a second chance, the idea of perceived value, and even how giving materials a second chance by repurposing them into useful products can improve climate change. The idea of a second chance is a broad concept that can apply to something as simple as taking an extra shot at a goal during soccer practice, to something as complex as an individual attempting to transform and better their lives for themselves and their families. When we view a second chance from the perspective and weight of human life, we are able to understand the gravity a second chance can have to our world. All around our city, and across the border, people are seeking resources and a second chance to better their lives. As a community, we provide services and resources for individuals who are facing difficult situations. From families seeking housing resources, counseling services for addiction or relationships, or resources for those who are disabled. In this project, students will take a deep dive into data that explores how regions of San Diego are providing resources for the people who are seeking them the most. Different regions, and people, in our city, are in need of different types of resources. How are resources being distributed throughout San Diego? And are they going to places that need them the most? By taking a statistical analysis of both the population needs and resources of a region, students will be able to determine if our current system's approach to resource allocation is equitable for all members of our community.

Alongside this initial approach to this project, there are other topics that can be explored as well. For example, the idea of perceived value. Who, or what deserves a second chance? There are organizations around the country whose mission it is to provide opportunities for those that the community has deemed to have "no value." For example, Homeboy Industries is an organization that provides "hope, training, and support to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated men and women allowing them to redirect their lives and become contributing members of our community." It is organizations like these that are giving individuals a second chance at life, and bringing positive value to the community. What can we do as students, and as a school, to ally with organizations that are providing these opportunities? What about the value of materials? In today's world, most everything is seen as single-use or disposable. There is a whole market of people who restore objects, such as furniture, into beautiful working pieces of art. It is my belief that students can also learn these same skills and create restored/re fabricated items to donate to shelters across the border that are supporting migrants seeking a second chance in the United States. Mathematical concepts like surface area and volume can be authentically explored in the context of pieces that we will be restored for these shelters. We will be providing a second chance for "lesser valued" materials as well as providing support for organizations that support those seeking asylum. By repurposing materials we are also reducing our carbon footprint. Students will also explore how our production methods of creating materials and products are affecting climate change and the lasting effects on our community. Lastly, students will also be exploring "everyday hacks" and how these can reduce our carbon footprint.