LS Science | Sixth Grade

DESIGN AND ENGINEERING: TINKERCAD

Teaching in the current Age of Innovation is a tremendously exciting time to be in the Design & Engineering Center where fabrication is the name of the game. Just in time for Crane School’s transition to online learning, sixth grade students delved into the colorful and playful world of TinkerCAD, an online software tool for building in three dimensions. The primary goal was for students to simply have fun letting their imaginations wander. From a giant red lobster, to “hamsterville,” to rabbit-shaped water towers, the Class of 2022 learned to creatively merge and manipulate basic geometric shapes to create stunning 3D creations. This program also happens to be one of the more intuitive and individual platforms used in the Design & Engineering Center, making it optimal for independent learning. As their culminating project, students were tasked with designing a city. It did not have to be realistic, or even be for humans—it could be for sheep, or aliens, or anything else! Sixth graders all demonstrated their TinkerCAD expertise and constructed strikingly ingenious cities. Going above and beyond is always an option for students in the Design & Engineering Center where projects are “challenge by choice” and studentdriven. Two sixth graders, Leo Korman and Ian Sheshunoff, already had experience and background in 3D printing. During the COVID-19 shelter-inplace order, they borrowed 3D printers from the Crane Design & Engineering Center and kept themselves busy by taking on the challenge of 3D printing face shields for medical professionals. Leo and Ian demonstrate the true spirit of community that is at the heart of all we do here at Crane. Lora McManus Teaching Fellow

WORD ART

In English, the sixth graders were asked to type any and all words that describe, symbolize, or reflect this year for them into a shared document. Using Word Art they chose the shape of a tree.

Addie Pidduck

Gweneth McTigue

Madeline Rick

Mason Copus

Massimo Bonilla-Zakosek

This was the 19 th year of Q.E.D., and yet it was a year like no other! The second semester of the seventh grade year, students are paired with a mentor who is an expert in a field they would like to know more about. Some seventh graders explore careers, hobbies, personal interests, and some use this opportunity to learn something they have always wanted to learn. This year's seventh graders started their projects in the winter and were well along when a global pandemic hit and we all were asked to shelter in place. Some of our students were able to continue with their original idea, and others had to switch their project in its entirety. One thing all seventh graders learned was adaptability and flexibility this spring! This is a capstone project for seventh graders, and we were still able to hold a Q.E.D. night celebration — digitally using Zoom.

Traci Cope Librarian and QED Coordinator

QED PROJECTS 2020

QED STUDENTS

GiGi Abed Mason Ball Kiy Barry Thomas Bilek Henry Bouma Ava Brilman Alexandra Calderon Ruby Campbell Pierce Dowling Jacob Gabbay Kylee Greene Fafi Guerrand Hermes Soren Haddock Citlaly Hernandez Nieto Milla Hirsch Caroline Horton Ilya Ivanovic Josue Iventura Caroline Kenny Vivi Klentner Liam Knezevic Jules Leclercq Milton Lopez Zadin Lozano Silvie Marsetti Eli Meisel Porter Murray Samuel Narva Nathan Newlove Hiro Phillips Isabel Rochel Natalie Schweitzer Ethan Somer Matt Stoney Mias van Tonder Georgette von Yurt Linn Wallmark Benjamin White Zsa Zsa Zemeckis

Surfboard making Figure drawing Photography Hunting safety certification Building own computer Music production and creation Community service raising funds for local nonprofit Asian cultural ceramics Art from mythology in different cultures Basketball training Photography Architecture and design Cooking Dog training Natural cosmetics and skin care Comic book character design Studying great white shark Investing and stock market Photography Horse vet intern Architectural design and 3D model rendering Shape surfboard Zoo animal care and Mexican food cooking Baking Japanese tea ceremonies SCUBA and underwater photography Architecture design Make sports shoes DJing Screenwriting Horse training and running a riding school Cake decorating Cooking Commercial lobster fishing 30 day fitness challenge Fashion design Understanding the stock market Learning to cook Acting

QUINCEAÑERA TRADITION

As part of our study of Julia Alvarez’s book, Before We Were Free, seventh grade students planned a quinceañera, a Latina tradition highlighted in the book. In the story, the family decides to throw a quinceañera at their compound since they cannot leave their house due to difficulties surrounding the Trujillo dictatorship. Leading up to the quinceañera, seventh grade students participated in crosscurricular work in both English and Spanish classes. In English class, students read and wrote responses on a variety of topics related to the book. In Spanish class, students learned the merengue and created electronic posters on various aspects of Dominican culture. In a joint assignment for the final step in finishing the book, Antes de ser libres (Before We Were Free), students wrote a poem in Spanish and a poem in English from the perspective of the main character, Anita. It was wonderful to see the laughter and enthusiasm in the students while celebrating literature and traditions from Spanish speaking cultures. Lauren Amery & Alexis Fischer 7th Grade English and Spanish Teachers

From the students:

We celebrated the seventh grade with a quinceañera. Due to social distancing we had a modified version of our traditional celebration. Normally, we would be gathered outside of Cate Hall dancing to music and honoring a chosen quinceañera. This year everyone was to create a Coming of Age poster to be shared with the class over a Google Meet. There was good Hispanic music and everyone loved the Coming of Age posters that the whole seventh grade created. We talked about traditional Dominican Republic food, beverages, and pastries. It was a good way to connect with the whole class during this pandemic. Even though we weren’t able to see each other in person it was great to see all of our classmates and we all had an excellent time. We would like to thank our teachers, Ms. Amery and Ms. Fischer, for arranging this wonderful event for us. Caroline Kenny and Milton Lopez

Eighth Grade Speeches

A tradition that began decades ago still continues each Tuesday and Thursday when an 8th grader is responsible for an Assembly speech, reinforcing Crane’s commitment to the value of public speaking.

Speech topics 2020 (in order of presentation):

Cooper Lender Griffin Rick Zach White Ingrid Lu Diego Veras Melanie Davidson Will Hammond Ganden Walker Henry Hagerman Luke Sain Elizabeth Purdy Charlie Sheldon Cole Murphy Regina Lujan Camilla Perkins Phoenix Seal Leighton Smith Christian Gonzalez Hala Abed Drew Levinson Tanner Murphy Kate Deardorff Chloe Adams Paloma Lujan Avi Gordon Bella Lomeli Jack Kane Monopolies Bass Sustainability History of a T Shirt Genetic Engineering Women’s Soccer Activists Wave Pools Ramen Dirt (sustainable farming) Music Production Time Travel NCAA Bees The Future of Shopping Publishing Oceans 7 Billie Eilish Referees Women Sailing Guinness World Records Food Waste Kelp Breakfast Nutella Earthquakes Tik Tok Rubik’s Cubes Pandemic Virtual Speeches:

Deacon Johnson Robert Reyes Louis Leclercq Graham Rogers Brody McGonigle Greer Biddlecome Shane Gifford Summer Corey

Astros Cheating Scandal Dwayne Johnson Colonizing Mars Self-Driving Cars Lacrosse Streaming TV Electric Cars Voice Acting

Word Art

The words come from the eighth-gradersʼ final six-word memoirs.

Architectural Project

Crane’s Design and Engineering Center challenged 8 th grade students to design a home to fill an economic, environmental, or social void. Students began by researching various locations, causes, and potential solutions to present their idea in a concise statement of purpose. Designers then displayed their visions on an aesthetically pleasing mood board, taking into account locally available resources, environmental sustainability, and unique climate considerations. This year, we had the unique opportunity to receive critique from local architect Johnny Hirsh (father of Mila Hirsh ’21) who offered generous insight on design considerations.

After an inspirational walking tour of unique and varied architecture in Santa Barbara, our budding architects set to work on their elevations and plans, learning to draw plans and elevations to scale with extraordinary precision. Crane’s transition to remote learning came at an opportune time in this semester-long culminating unit as students had just begun to use SketchUp, a 3D modeling software, to transfer their elevations into fully furnished rooms and buildings. Ordinarily, this capstone project would conclude with a 3D laser-cut presentation model and a physical presentation walk. However, in true engineer fashion, 8th graders magnificently adapted to present their final designs in a narrated SketchUp walkthrough video.

Sabina Funk Director of Engineering Lora McManus Teaching Fellow

Selfie Project #LOVE 2020

In eighth-grade English, students explore the essential question, “Who am I?” They read coming-of-age novels and memoirs to see how others have answered this question, and they choose independent-reading topics to explore their own passions more deeply. Eighth graders also undertake the year-long Selfie Project, which was developed in collaboration with Gretel Huglin-Ridge and the art program. Each month students take and write about a “selfie.” These pictures range from traditional selfies to pictures of their shoes, clothing flat lays, records of family traditions, and more. This spring one theme was #LOVE. Here are some of the selfies inspired by that theme. Elizabeth Teare Upper School English Teacher

Chloe Adams designed this Hawaiian duplex out of composite Macadamia Nut shell wood. It is complete with an interior water courtyard that doubles as a rain catchment system.

Griffin Rick designed this cantilevered “Cliff Home” to mold into the hillside without disturbing the natural landscape.

Christian Gonzalez designed this San Francisco apartment complex to maximize space and allow for affordable green living in the big city.

Graham This picture says “love” to me because I love traveling to new places and exploring. I knew that I wanted to use a photo that I took in another country for this project, and it was just a matter of picking which one. I eventually chose this photo because it really captures the sense of adventure that I have while on trips. Some of the important details in my picture are the temple, which is called Tiger’s Nest, and the mountain in which the temple sits. I did not show that there is a mile-long hike to get up to the temple, and I also didn’t show that I was standing at the edge of a two-hundred-foot cliff. It was a tough climb to get to the temple, which is located in Bhutan, but it was definitely worth it. I got this beautiful photo, and I saw the most stunning view of my life. This photo says “LOVE” to me because it shows my love of adventure and travel.

Griffin This picture means to me that I love and respect my close friends. Before I took the picture, I noticed that there was glass on the ceiling and announced to everyone to look up. They cooperated, and I was able to snap a quick photo of them looking up. The picture was taken at the Coca Cola Museum in Georgia, walking through the Vault in the back of the building. My friends and I were oddly happy on this trip and were able to connect and grow closer as a friend group. The only part of the picture that I altered was a few other feet behind me that I easily removed with a vignette.

Greer This picture was taken with my mom, my aunt and my cousin. I would look forward to visiting them in Virginia every time we planned a trip. I am giving my mom a kiss, and I remember my mom always saying “Give me some smooches.” In the picture we are all smiling,and that is one of the things I love the most. My dad took this photo, and I don’t know if he told us he was taking it or not. I like to think that he didn’t tell us to smile, and we were already so happy just being around each other. One of the things I love most about looking at old pictures is seeing how much we have all changed. It’s sad sometimes to see that I can never go back, but at the same time it feels like we have all grown up, and it’s really exciting. Phoenix This picture says “love” to me because it includes two of my favorite things: my friends and my ice cream. The important details are that our hands were both tan, showing that it was summer, and the contrast between the ice cream we each chose. Kate chose vanilla with sprinkles, while mine is chocolate with marshmallows, and they look very different next to each other. The picture doesn’t totally show how happy I was that day because I’d just come back from camp and got to see all my old friends. It also really felt like it was summer, and this picture brings me back to that day. This photo was so easy to take and so in the moment that I barely remember Kate even taking it.

Camilla This picture is one we took during our trip to Mexico over the four-day weekend. We went with friends, and one day we went to a small boating dock and climbed up a mast post. I like this picture because it shows everyone in action and the directions we are looking in. Because everyone is looking up at each other, it makes the photo look more like a chain and like everyone is connected. My mom, who didn’t climb the post, took this picture, and I think the reason why I like it so much is because it was taken spontaneously, as a casual picture.

Will For this selfie I chose a picture that captures me and my friends from a Southeast-Asian Adoptee Camp that I do every summer. I love going to this camp and seeing these friends because I can really be myself there. Though we only see each other for about one week every year, we text and call each other during the school year and savor the time that we are together. I know that I could use any picture of my school friends, but this is the group of people with whom I feel most at home. This was on what some called a hike but really was a half-mile stroll through the Arizona desert. We found this huge rock structure and decided that a group picture was in order. I changed the exposure, brightness, brilliance, vibrance, and saturation because it looked a little bit bland. Other than that, this is just how it looked, originally. This picture says “love” to me because the friends that I have made at camp over the years all have had the same experience as me, just of a different flavor. We were all adopted from Southeast Asia, raised by white parents, and go to predominantly white schools, and from the moment we all met, we felt this kinship that we none of us have at our schools. That’s not to say that we don’t all have friends at our schools, but when you can get together with a group of people who you can truly relate to, unlike anyone who you are normally around, it is bound to be a truly special friendship.

Christian I chose a picture of one of my cats because he is someone I have come to love. He makes me laugh, even if he’s not doing anything particularly funny. One day I came home from school, and I found that he was just sleeping in a bucket. I put a blanket on him, and I took the picture. I tried calling him to make him look at the camera, which was a phone, but he just ignored me. Recently he was attacked by some type of animal in my backyard. It was around 8 pm when I heard the loud cries of a cat and ran with my parents to see what had happened. We turned on the light, and we only found a bunch of cat hair on the floor. We thought he was dead. The next day in the morning he showed up limping. This made me greatly value having him alive and around, ready to make me laugh.

Elizabeth I chose this picture because I love travel and my friends and family, and this picture is of Sun Valley where we travel to, and we usually see our friends and family there. It says “love” to me because it shows my love of travel and skiing almost immediately, but there are also important meanings behind the picture and the things you can’t see. This picture does not show that I was with some of my friends and family on our way back from dinner. This picture does not show that I had a fun day skiing and was kind of tired. This picture does not show how my mom’s cousin’s wife, Cindy, who we see sometimes but not enough, took this picture while we were all stuffed in the back of a car not large enough to possibly hold all our ski stuff. To take this picture I had to try leaning over five laps just to get close enough to see the mountains and take 15 to 20 pictures until Cindy helped by taking my phone and easily taking the perfect picture on her first try.

briefly tell how you ended up at Crane

I knew my now-wife Sharon in college, but we had lost touch. We reconnected at a conference in our first year of teaching — I was teaching science and math near Oakland at The Athenian School and Sharon was at Cate. We started dating long distance, got engaged, and decided I would move to Santa Barbara. I first interviewed at Cate with Bob Bonning. It wasn’t a good fit for me, but Bob's sons were going to an elementary school that was looking for a math teacher. Bob sent me to meet Selden Edwards, the head of Crane at the time, and Selden took me on.

what is the one thing you are most proud of accomplishing and/or bringing to Crane?

I am very pleased with our emphasis on making sense and building understanding in our math classes. I have always been interested in having student thinking be the foundation for our math work, by starting with a question or a problem and then building instruction depending on how the students respond. It takes a lot of work to figure out how to do that right. I spent most of my time at Crane refining that approach, putting it into practice, and modeling it in my classroom.

if you had to choose just one favorite Crane memory to share what would it be?

Pick one? That is so cruel. I have lots of great memories from playing in the band for the musicals. It felt great to be part of the production, and I would get chills watching students on stage just nailing it with a great performance. And the big production numbers: everyone moving together, after weeks of practice to get it right, with big smiles on their faces ... there was so much pride and joy.

what is your favorite place on campus and why?

That is easy. I love the Oak Tree Quad, and not just because I teach there. The oak tree is a guardian spirit of Crane, having watched over so many generations. That space used to be the drop off for the Lower School, the start and finish of the day. We had graduation there and generations ago they used to take naps on the lawn that was there. It is beautiful at night, and my son and his wife cut their wedding cake at the reception in the Oak Tree Quad.

What is your hope for Crane going forward?

Crane's greatest resource is the teachers, and we have so much to offer each other. I hope that teachers remember to go visit each other’s classrooms, ask each other what is new and useful, and share ideas and resources, especially with the demands of this coming year. There is a lot of excitement and interest in socialemotional learning and issues around equity and inclusion. I hope the culture of collaborating and learning together continues to blossom at Crane and that time and space are dedicated to sustain it.