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Shaona Sen | MYND BLOC "Building Blocks for Creative Minds" | A digital zine of findings and musings (The other one: withshaona.tumblr.com)
Citizen Schools Fall semester at the Dever McCormack middle school apprencticeship has started! I have the lovely pleasure of co-teaching a STE(A)M-based 6th grade class, with two Babson business school students, about design and entrepreneurship.
Throughout the semester we will be working on mini-projects that challenge the students’ perception on creativity and building. Our final project that we will be presenting to guardians and people in various industries is based on re-designing their school for the better. Above (image with yellow pieces of paper) is an initial response from a student from our 1st class when getting a feeling of students’ though parameters on the final project. As you can see, no limits. The rawness of youth’s imagination is so inspirational.
Our 2nd class, we gave the class Moleskine sketchbooks, donated by Reebok, for the students to document their imagination in and out of class.
A big difference between our school (compared to other Citizen Schools in Boston) is the requirement of extended learning time, vs. the optional taking of a CS apprenticeship. There are some students in class who are very responsive and some who are there because they have to be. The goal is to work as a team and build everyone’s enthusiasm, through the unified vision of transforming the school space to make a more fun learning environment. We’ll be building on the students 21st century skills through this challenge.
The 3rd photo is the result of: 6th graders + class on structure + trophy brief + 6in height req. + tennis balls + flexi-straws + 15 minutes (After students initially brainstorming for ~5 minutes in their new notebooks). How awesome? = )
More to come soon.
If you’d like to find out more on Citizen Schools: www.citizenschools.org
On Oct. 21st, 2010, I had the wonderful opportunity of attending the Moon Ball event hosted by Shift Boston at Cyclorama (The venue was spot on for this event).
Shift Boston is an organization whose mission is “to promote the future of the urban environment”. Three verbs used to describe themselves: GATHER. INSPIRE. IMPLEMENT.
“We are here to catalyze change.”
The Moon Ball event was in celebration of the Moon Capital International Competition in which these questions were posed: “What if we were to occupy the moon by 2069? Might the Moon become an independent, self-sustaining and sovereign state?” . Participants were asked to develop lunar concepts on Moon habitat spaces.
A series of speakers shared ideas, theories and experiences about space architecture/travel before the winner of the Moon competition was announced. Two speakers who distinctly stood out to me were Constance Adams and Jeff Hoffman.
Constance Adams, who was a member of the design competition jury and whose roots stem in architecture, shared her personal insight on the presence of earth within space. And how we, as humans, are part of the earth. We are the moving, mobile earth. If we touch down on another planet, we are Earth.
Named as “Emerging Explorer” by Nat Geo, Adams also shared the fact that humans are the only animals that use physical tools and how this has led to our advancement.
Tool (as defined by dictionary.com): Anything used as a means of accomplishing a task or purpose.
The creating then innovating of physical tools for efficiency, well being and entertainment has brought us to the current state of being on Earth.
Hearing Jeff Hoffman (IMG above) of NASA speak live was mind blowing. Firstly, Hoffman has been to space 5 times!!! His last being in 1996. Amazing. Secondly, he has floated in space, outside of the shuttle, as he stated, “600 miles from Earth, in between the Earth and Heaven”… Wow… Hoffman first began with how spiritually touching his trips have been. The adrenaline rush of transitioning in gravity. The discipline and curiousity necessary to be in touch with an unexplored environment.
By far the most interesting point addressed that whole evening was by Jeff Hoffman. Hoffman brought up the point of what if the handicapped and elderly being the first to inhabit the Moon. The thought of disabled people not having to worry as much about their conditions put a smile on my face. Hoffman mentioned how once occupying Las Vegas, Nevada was out of the question because of climatic changes. And now look at the area? He said if citizens’ pension plans instead financially contributed to Moon living, in its research or living stages, how big of a step that could possibly be.
Some random facts Hoffman mentioned:
- It takes approximately 8.5 minutes to reach space when launching from the States. (Imagine looking down and seeing Africa in a matter of minutes.)
- A space suit weighs about 300 pounds. (Gravity less space in itself could sustainably change inhabitants.)
- Weight transition when returning to Earth is toughest. (The feeling of weight returning very heavily.)
Other points mentioned by guest speakers:
- The thought of ‘space’ within space. How would architectural thinking have to adapt to a zero gravity environment? A new world of product design and construction.
- Will we soon be testing the capability of morphing human DNA to better suit a Moon environment?
When having the pleasure of speaking to Jeff Hoffman after presentations, discussion came up on the functionality of bio suits and next steps for innovation. Being a designer that currently works in the sport industry and often times taking into consideration the functional aspect of fashion, many points brought up in a circle of us were stimulating.
Check out the finalists here:
www.shiftboston.blogspot.com
And more information on upcoming Shift Boston events:
www.shiftboston.org
Our younger generation has been one of my biggest sources of inspiration the past two months. Attending youth art shows, speaking/mentoring at a majority youth design workshop and coaching fall soccer this season has been eye opening. Raw thinking and a high level of curiosity is what has enticed me most. A few highlights:
The Urbano Project (urbanoproject.org)
hosted a summer gallery show mid-August with multi-disciplinary work on display, from live band performances, motion videos, story boarding to installations. An overall creatively stimulating atmosphere (more photos above)-
FSF (femalesneakerfiend.com) x FutureSole x MassArt x Karmaloop x Pensole x MassImpact held their 1st all weekend Sisters to Sisters design seminar/workshop for young women interested in the footwear a few weeks ago. I had the pleasure to mentor and speak at this event, representing Reebok International with co-workers Pamela Council and Alice Kaiserwerth. Converse, Puma, Nike, Top Sider Sperry and Jordan were repping alongside. The experiences selected participants and mentors shared were beyond inspirational. The progress some youth made within 8-10 hours of concepting, sketching and finalizing design was mesmerizing. With passion, focus and practice, anything is possible. And the overall hands on, studio vibes definitely contributed to the success of this event. My message: take opportunities, make opportunities and don’t forget to share opportunities. Shoutout to all the participants and mentors. I’m still running off the good vibes from that weekend!-
Coaching an U8 Girls soccer team has kept me on my toes as well. When is the last time you were excited to run a lap? Or play a game on a hot Saturday morning? Or (for soccer players) enthusiastically volunteer to play goalie when you’ve never had proper training? Interactions like these make me realize how surrounding myself with a motivated group of people makes a huge difference, regardless of age.
Around Town: Boston Artists Spotlight→
“ThinkForward Media linked up with Justin Springer to bring a night of music to Boston that took place at the Hard Rock Café on July 28th. Catch up with some of the featured artists and follow the new wave in music on the Boston Scene.”
“Lance Hayes discusses finding an outlet through music, rap influences, being a ‘regular guy,’ and making you reach that ‘O.’ Joy Daniels explores redefining the image of the female performer, the “Boston scene,” being a kid again, and how she prophesied her own breakup. International Show discusses rock influences in his hip-hop, winning IStandard, how traveling overseas got him his name, and why you might see him on your college campus. Terrence Lomax and Marquis Short discuss capitalizing on video production in the digital age, branching out to new genres, collaborations with Miley Cyrus, and bringing new ideas to your brand – whatever your budget.”
Great coverage (link above) of an amazing night of music.
The performances with a full band, the lighting, the crowd= good vibes
David Correy, the final act of the night, was on the move when returning back to Boston to perform so you will not see an interview with him in this post. With the pace of DC’s growth, I’m confident more opportunities of action-packed, informative interviews with him will arise.
I had the pleasure of meeting Sandra, the author of this article, at the showcase. Looking forward to building!
On a side note: I’ve met some amazingly driven and creative Bostonian spirits these past months!
I didn’t make it to Beres’ concert because of the torrential rainfall and endless traffic. No bueno. Here’s some energy I’m missing out on as I type. Crossing fingers there is a next time.
#nowplaying Beres Hammond- I Feel Good
Beres Hammond and Inner Circle will be performing in Boston tomorrow night! If you’re a fan of lover’s rock and aren’t familiar with Beres, definitely look into him. ‘I Feel Good’ is one of my favorite tracks. Followed by: Tempted To Touch, She Loves Me Now, Warriors Don’t Cry, Rock Away.
And most def. looking forward to hearing Inner Circle’s classic, ‘Sweat’, live. 1992! I vividly remember my brother, daycare friend and I cruising in my babysitter’s car, during the summer time, listening to this track. Her hand in a waving motion out the window, moving to the beat of this track. Such a nostalgic tune!
BOSTON TALENT
Last night I caught Think Forward Media’s artist showcase at the Hard Rock Cafe. First off, the venue was real nice. Cavern Club, which is sectioned off for live performances, had great lighting and sound. The stage was perfect in the sense that it was not too high off the audience’s level, so the room for performers to connect with the audience was greater (which definitely happened).
David Correy was the headlining act. Joy Daniels, Lance Hayes and Shantel’s acts previous to DC’s were amazing. I’d say the most stimulating part of the night was the presence of live bands supporting the main acts. I’m a huge geek when it comes to live shows. Good times.
On DC: The moment that comes to mind when thinking about David Correy is from about 4-5 years back. DC, his also Berklee-going boy, Darrin Love (A name hard to top!), and my homegirls were all hanging one summer evening: talking music, cracking jokes, sipping magical juice. In the good vibes of the night, DC and D-Love performed a song, No More Crying. The combo of DC’s voice with D-Love’s acoustic talent, echoing in the hallway of the apartment building, was mesmerizing. DC’s grind, grind, grind mindset from back then is still as prominent today, despite his big achievements from then to now. Your energy was raw and live last night! Good seeing you, www.davidcorrey.com
On Think Forward Media: I’ve had the pleasure of working with Marquis Short and Terrence Lomax of PM-live (Progress Magazine). They, along with their squad, are pushing the presence of music, whether through recognition, introducing fresh talent and/or up to date music news in Boston and globally. Looking forward to the launch of the new site! pm-live.com / thinkforwardmedia.com
Note: The venue would have been even more packed if the Nas/Jr.Gong show didn’t fall on the same night!
Pretty Face Posse + Just Cuz hosted, ‘A Lil Louder’, one of Boston’s chillest parties of the summer. 90s bashment scene brought to Good Life with ease. People of all colors, styles and personalities. Here’s a teaser that was just released. More info on PFP and their movement to come (Big up S.DUB + JB) #BOOM!
(via Pretty Face Posse)
