Independent Study Projects
Sustainability and Biomimicry
Bryce Henney focused on Sustainablity and Biomimicry in his independent study project. This presentation was one portion of his work, which included narrated facts about the issues and solutions.
Reinstitution of Arts into Detroit
When Craig Kaplan visited O.W. Homes Elementary School in Detroit on a field trip for Health Psychology during his sophomore year he noticed that the children did not have art or music classes. This sparked on idea for an Independent Study project. During his junior year, Craig started R.A.D., Reinstitution of the Arts into Detroit. At first it was just Craig, his grandmother and one other classmatte, CC Burgess, that went to the school and created art with a first grade class. Eventually the program grew. Now R.A.D. visits O.W. Holmes once a month with over 120 Bloomfield Hills student volunteers, teaching art to every classroom in the school. The program even has s student designed logo. As a senior, Craig gained 501 3(c) nonprofit status and has passed the leadership baton to Abdelrhman Allam. The students and teachers at Homes are very grateful for Craig’s generosity and the commitment of the Bloomfield Hills students.
Bloomfield Hills R.A.D. student participants Holmes students pose with their art projects Holmes students pose with their art projects
Expressive Arts Therapies
This class looks into art as a form of developing health and wellness. See Laura Williams’ Prezi to learn how she shows acting and storytelling to be a therapuetic tool.
Health Psychology & Theories of Self
In Health Psychology, studnets learn about stress and how the mind and body have a circular relationship in our health. Each student explores a type of mind/body discipline. Frankie Shalin, Shelby Dubin and Colleen Sords practice yoga and wanted to learn more about Arial Yoga. The three girls attended a class and created this fun video for their presentaion.
These two Prezis were created by Lauren Cornwell for her Health Psychology class. Lauren explored a type of therapy called Esogetic-Colorpuncture for the unit that focuses on stress reduction.
Later in the course, Lauren chose to read Being Happy by Tal Ben-Shahar, Harvard Psychology Professor, for the Positive Psychology unit. The focuses on the differences between a Perfectonist and Optimalist, and how to live a more fulfilling life.
Tal Ben-Shahar\’s \”Being Happy\”
Cindy Wagner read The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting What You Want in Life, by Sonja Lyubomirsky. Click the link for her class presentation on the subject.
In Theories of Self, Daniel Firsht chose to read Nurture Shock, by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman. Here is the book trailer that Daniel created:
In Theories of Self class, students have to search for a quote describing what the “self” is. Then they create and present a visual about what it is. Here are a few examples from fall 2011.
Nicole Kiester: Shell with Pearl
When first given the assignment to investigate quotes about the self, I found Bob Moawad’s quote, “Quality begins on the inside and then works its way out.” Instantly the metaphor for life as an oyster popped into my head. A pearl begins as a grain of sand and throughout time becomes the most infamous icon of beauty. In my mind, this is a perfect representation of how one’s true self is formed from within. A rough canvas is given with life then each individual has the chance to become an artist and paint their masterpiece with the love, sorrows, forgiveness, struggles, pain, success, failure, confidence, and most of all self discovery during their lifetime. The shell represents our personality, what we let others see, while it serves as protection from the unforgiving world. We keep our pearl hidden within satin walls, only we know our true beauty.
Marco Ross: Mirror
For my Self Project I wrote on a mirror which I obscured with spray paint the words “Who are you?” I believe this represents the self because after looking at yourself in the mirror you ask yourself that question. I made the mirrored image difficult to see because the self is not always easy to see and you really need to pay attention and reflect on who you truly are at the core. I chose the quote: “And remember, no matter where you go, there you are.” Confucius
Mark McManus: Rocks with Hatchet
My project revolves around the idea that “the self” starts with good and bad qualities. We all have undesirable traits that we dislike and traits that society doesn’t agree with. The big rock in my project represents “the self”. While the smaller rocks represent our traits we have removed and shed throughout our life help from society (the hatchet). These qualities we discard are not necessarily just the bad ones. We are quick to abandon our morals and values when faced with an uncomfortable situation in society. So sometimes with chip away our strengths as well as our faults. My quote is “In reality, all men are sculptors, constantly chipping away the unwanted parts of their lives trying to create a masterpiece” by Eddie Murphy.
Bloomfield Hills Model High School students in the Contemporary Issues in Sociology class working at St. Leo’s Soup Kitchen in Detroit.
- Anna Ortisi, Cara Schooley, Allison Margolis and Shelby Dubin on a work break.
- Katie Young stirs the pot
The essence of this experience is two-fold. First, it gives students an opportunity to serve needy residents of Detroit by participating in the daily activities at a soup kitchen. Students prepare, cook, serve, and clean-up a noon meal for approximately 150 people. Second, it gives the students direct first hand observation of the needs of a community of folks that they may never come face to face with. In addition to helping in the kitchen, students are asked to observe and interview the clients at the soup kitchen. Most important, this experience engages students in their own learning.
