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DESIGN THINKING
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Sustainable Future Leadership Program de TASIS (2024-24) v1.mp4This year of Sustainable Future Leadership Program has proven to be a transformative one. Building on the foundation established in our first year, the program has aided our students in deepening their commitment to eco-friendly and community-centered practices through in-depth research, immersive workshops, and thrilling field experiences.
IMMERSIVE WORKSHOPS
Throughout the year, the 8th graders participated in intentional workshops, led by Mr. Kris and Ms. Valeria Quintana. Gaining in depth understanding of the research process, they crafted clear interview questions to collect primary data from agricultural experts and farmers in a localized context. They also consulted credible online sources to reinforce their research and verify their findings.
BANANERA FABRE & HACIENDA ABEY
Our visits to Hacienda Abey, located right across from TASIS Dorado, and to Bananera Fabre in Sabana Grande were eye-opening experiences for our 8th graders. They enjoyed a firsthand look at the intricate process behind the produce we often take for granted.
Our students listened intently as our guides described their agricultural process. They learned about hydroponic farming at Hacienda Abey, and they observed the ins and outs of Bananera Fabre's production line. They also asked thoughtful questions about by the farms. Among their many many questions were those related to emerging problems affecting production to which our guides revealed issues arising from pests, climate, infrastructure, workforce, machinery, and market standards. Their answers revealed the delicate balance between nature and business, sparking conversations about sustainability along with the local food supply chain and its affect on our farms and community.
These were more than educational field trips; they were a chance to learn about how food is grown in Puerto Rico and to think about ways to boost its cultivation for the benefit of our communities.
EXPLORATION BEAR CHALLENGE
The Sustainable Future Leadership Program took full advantage of Exploration Bear Challenge week to discover new disciplines.
With the support of our Innovative Science teachers, Mr. Alex Tirado and Mr. José Quintana, our students immersed themselves in design thinking principles and tried their hand at computer programming, ultimately building on their knowledge of research. In light of their findings, they proposed the creation of an intelligent, portable greenhouse, which integrated the Arduino Smart Irrigation System they designed, coded, and prototyped for Exploration Bear Challenge. They also received crucial tips on effective presentations from our Middle School Director, Ms. Melissa Arroyo. To culminate the week, they shared their insights and showcased their prototype before parents, fellow students, and our very own Head of School, Dr. Sylvia Rodríguez Vargas, who was thrilled to see what they students had accomplished.
Following Exploration Bear Challenge, the 8th graders tested their Arduino smart irrigation systems at home, documenting their findings and offering suggestions for improvements. At the same time, they continued to hone their skills by designing a functional greenhouse that would meet our needs.
AGROPLUG, PBL FAIR & OUR GREENHOUSE DESIGN
After getting into contact with the president of 5 Días en Nuestra Tierra (5DENT), a student-led club of the Mayagüez campus of the University of Puerto Rico, we were invited to share our progress at the AgroPlug fair.
On the way to Mayagüez, we took a tour of the Utuado campus of the University of Puerto Rico where we learned about the local impacts of climate change and the ongoing, collaborative efforts of university students and faculty to combat ecological harm.
At AgroPlug the 8th graders enthusiastically presented their greenhouse design to a large crowd of visitors, from professors, university students, and agronomists to parents, high schoolers, and children with learning differences.
The week following AgroPlug they showcased their prototype before the TASIS Dorado community during the PBL Fair, inspiring peers and faculty alike to join them in promoting self-sufficiency and food security at a local level.
Such experiences have cemented in our students the commitment to sustainable practices and agricultural initiatives as young, conscientious leaders.
For more information about the Sustainable Future Leadership Program, please contact Melissa Arroyo (arroyo.m@tasisdorado.com) or Valeria Quintana (quintana.v@tasisdorado.com).
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