Pinewood Scholars Program 2023-24 Q3 Newsletter

Networking Night

The PSP seniors learned real-life skills in networking and pitching at the Parent/Student Networking Night.

After enjoying fondue and mocktails, students presented their project ideas and networked with the parents of the PSP family hosted by the Galbraith family.

The evening began with a short introduction and welcome by Mrs. Gannon. The students then presented their “elevator pitches” to the parents.

After the presentations, students handed out their business cards and networked with parents. The students needed to collect “passport stamps” to fill up their networking passports, ensuring they met with many parents throughout the event.

The goal of the evening was for the students to find mentors and contacts in their fields of interest. What better place to look for those adult guides than the parents and guardians of our classmates?

The students are now off and running with their project ideas for their PSP passion project.

Learn more about those projects below...
Anika is spearheading two mission-driven projects that align with her skills and passions. Her proactive approach to these projects showcases her dedication to social causes and her ingenuity in using her talents to make a meaningful impact.
She's utilizing her exceptional illustration abilities to craft a YA Graphic Novel series for Chest of Hope, addressing the sensitive topic of navigating domestic violence and challenging social scenarios for children of varying ages.
Drawing on her keen interest in design, Anika is also collaborating with Rob Bergenstock and the Maker's Space to develop transformative light structures for SAVE (Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments). Her goal is to provide women residing in SAVE's safe houses with immersive and therapeutic color and light experiences, offering them a source of comfort and healing through innovative light therapy techniques.
Through a compelling documentary podcast series, Michael seeks to spotlight the often-overlooked narratives of immigrants residing in the culturally diverse communities of the Bay Area. Through skillful storytelling and empathetic interviews, Michael delves into the unique immigration journeys of individuals in this area, shedding light on their triumphs, struggles, and aspirations. With a mission to uplift immigrant voices and foster a greater understanding of immigration issues, "American Dreamscape" captivates listeners with its poignant narratives and is a powerful platform for advocating for inclusivity and empathy in society. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.

Bright Start Lacey Armistead • Empowers the children of farm workers in Half Moon Bay by offering free STEM lessons along with complementary project kits. These resources provide them with valuable skills and knowledge to enhance their learning and development • Learn more

LiftUp • Jamie Burton • Works to establish pop-up workout spaces at local homeless shelters • Learn more

Doc's Den Jane Butler • Provides a space for kids in medical center waiting rooms to calm their nerves through the power of literacy • Learn more

PantherPaths Cole Chatterjee • A platform for former Pinewood students to talk about their college experiences so current students can access that information during their own college searches • Learn more

Hand in Hand Annabelle Eaton • Provides soap scrubs and hygiene products for the unhoused, delivered through local shelters and nonprofits • Learn More

Hypertrofind Zachary Galbraith • A mobile application concerned with eliminating the friction that comes with workouts, while simultaneously locating nearby public outdoor fitness centers based on equipment quality • Learn more

Legacy Voices • Katherine Garr • Works to preserve and share senior citizens' stories and memories with their families by interviewing and turning those stories into a book they can pass on to their families. Learn more

Preloved PromsRuby Hannelly • Aims to provide free secondhand formal attire to high schoolers in need through pop-up stores at local high schools. Learn more

Hippocrates-AI • Alakh Kapadia • A physician's trusted assistant that uses Generative AI to help doctors diagnose patients • Learn more

Chime Arnav Karandikar • An app and website that provides easy music therapy access for patients with various medical conditions • Learn more

DME4All Jakob Kleiman No-cost loans of Durable Medical Equipment (DME) for all communities, removing access obstacles for individuals and their families • Learn more

A Picture Book • Elena Magliaro • Writing a children's book to educate young people on the realities of economic diversity • Learn more

When We Choose Violet Negrette • A book that shares editorialized stories about abortion access • Learn more

Ball for All Vishesh Ranganathan • Increasing access to sports for kids in impoverished communities through holding soccer clinics and practices • Learn more

GreenTeen Christina Tanase • An interactive online platform designed to educate and inspire teenagers about sustainability. Through this website, community members can explore various sustainability categories, select a category, and receive simple tips for a more sustainable lifestyle

Pinewood Microfinancing Program Koh Taradash • Makes microloans to the world's unbanked to help families escape the cycle of poverty • Learn more

AB3D Leo Shang • Donates 3D printers and teaches 3D modeling classes at schools for under-resourced youth, to inspire future engineers • Learn more

RoboboxEd Kathleen Xie • Aims to inspire and support under-resourced students to explore robotics by offering robotics workshops and materials for students in low-income communities • Learn more

Curriculum Update

Over the past few weeks, students have been working on their passion projects. For homework, they look through their project management tool (Trello) to determine what actions to take to work toward their overall objectives. They have broken down their big goals into smaller chunks, and chip away at them each night.

Students deeply engage in our design and systems thinking units during the class block. Diverse perspectives and innovative problem-solving strategies illustrated in case studies have presented intriguing design challenges using real-world examples. Our discussions have been rich with ideas on adapting these insights to their projects, fostering creativity and critical thinking. Additionally, students have delved into systems thinking, gaining a holistic understanding of how their projects interact within larger systems. This dual focus on design and systems thinking equips them with invaluable skills for tackling complex problems and generating impactful solutions.

Real-Life Learning Opportunity

Facebook Ads

Bhumika Kapadia, a PSP parent and an employee at Meta, has forged an extraordinary partnership with the PSP program, offering invaluable insight into Facebook marketing strategies.

With a keen focus on providing real-world experiences, Bhumika has generously allocated her Facebook advertising stipend to the students, enabling them to delve into the intricacies of this platform. Through one-on-one meetings and guidance sessions, she has empowered several students to navigate the process effectively.

With her support, these students are poised to unleash their projects onto the powerful platform, equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to make a meaningful impact in the digital realm. Keep your eyes out for PSP projects in the ads!

Teacher-Student Brainstorming Lunch

The PSP Brainstorming Lunch was a vibrant gathering where students eagerly shared their project ideas while enjoying lunch on a beautiful sunny day!

As teachers provided guidance and support, the atmosphere buzzed with creativity and excitement. Students articulated their visions, seeking feedback and refining their concepts.

It was a dynamic exchange of ideas, fostering a sense of growth and empowerment among the students who left the event inspired and motivated to turn their ideas into reality.

Thank you so much to the teachers and administrators who participated in this magical event!

PSP Pathways Grant

Introducing the new PSP grant program! • Students now have the opportunity to apply for up to $300 to support their innovative projects. Spearheaded by a dedicated team of teachers from various disciplines, the grant program offers students a chance to gain real-world experience with positioning themselves effectively on paper for substantial funding. This initiative has sparked enthusiasm among teachers and students, fostering deeper engagement with PSP projects.

The grant team has already awarded funds to nine deserving students, propelling their creative endeavors forward. Join us in celebrating this exciting avenue for student innovation and learning!

Thank you to our grant team members: Holly Coty, Lyndsey Duerden, Michelle Gannon, Mónica Llagaria, Ayesha Masud, José Luis Orduña, Ellie Pojarska, Sabrina Strand, Heidi Wang, Katy Wells, and Cheri Zepp.

Guest Speakers

Steven Young

In a rare and exciting opportunity, PSP seniors engaged with serial entrepreneur Steven Young during a class session focused on exploring the significance of design in product creation.

Anticipation buzzed in the air while students eagerly engaged in a casual yet profound conversation led by Young, whose wealth of entrepreneurial experience illuminated the intricacies of design's role in crafting remarkable products. As Young shared anecdotes and insights from his entrepreneurial journey, the classroom transformed into a dynamic arena of inspiration and learning, where the seniors absorbed invaluable lessons about the symbiotic relationship between design and product innovation.

Through this enlightening encounter, the PSP seniors not only gained a deeper understanding of the creative processes underlying product development, but also gained wisdom to guide their future entrepreneurial endeavors.

Neel Chatterjee

We’re thrilled to spotlight the captivating speaker who recently engaged PSP seniors in an unforgettable session. Neel Chatterjee, a partner in Goodwin’s Intellectual Property practice and former member of the firm’s Executive Committee, left an indelible mark on our class.

Neel's expertise as an internationally recognized technology litigator and trial lawyer was evident as he shared insights from his illustrious career. His remarkable track record of wins in challenging technology cases and his dedication to representing entrepreneurs and disruptive technology companies captivated our students.

Not a single kid got up from the seat when the bell rang, clearly riveted by Neel's ability to simplify complex legal concepts.

Trips

Hidden Villa Farm

Nestled just a stone's throw away from campus, Hidden Villa Farm unveiled its rich history and unwavering commitment to the land, captivating hearts and minds alike.

Did you know that the original owners of this farm, the Duvenecks, sheltered Japanese-Americans returning from internment camps and provided safe harbor for César Chávez as he organized farm workers in the fifties? The unassuming farm holds a rich history of social entrepreneurship beneath its surface.

Amidst the serene countryside backdrop, students enjoyed hands-on exploration, delving into an exploration of sustainable agriculture and stewardship. From the gentle hum of grazing sheep to the clucking of chickens and the tranquil presence of cows, the farm pulsated with life, offering a rare opportunity for students to connect with nature in its purest form. Through feeding the livestock and tracing the footsteps of generations past, students embraced the ethos of stewardship and reverence for the land, sowing seeds of understanding and appreciation that would flourish for years to come.

Stanford University d.school

Did you know we ran into the famous rockstar of design thinking, David Kelley, while on our field trip? The serendipitous encounter with David Kelley, the visionary founder of IDEO, added an extra layer of inspiration to our exploration.

Guided by a distinguished professor, we delved into the heart of design thinking at Stanford University's renowned d.school, witnessing the inception of groundbreaking projects through early prototypes that evolved into tangible products.

This visit is a testament to the students' initiative and organizational skills. They independently planned and orchestrated this enriching experience, igniting a spark of creativity and innovation within our community.

Right On Refillery, Los Altos

Embarking on an educational journey to Right On Refillery in Los Altos was an eye-opening experience highlighting the innovative strides in sustainability.

Exploring their eco-conscious products, from chewable toothpaste to plastic-free deodorant and vegan, cruelty-free nail polish, we were introduced to a world of alternatives we never knew existed. Beyond mere products, we delved into their operational ethos, discovering their collaborative approach with similar local companies to reduce shipping costs and packaging waste through bulk orders.

Perhaps most inspiring was their community engagement initiative, where used bottles are collected, sanitized, and redistributed for refills, fostering a culture of reuse and reducing plastic consumption. Refillery's commitment to sustainability left an indelible mark, igniting a sense of responsibility and empowerment within us to make conscious choices for a greener future. What a fabulous local find!

Alumni News

Rathi Kolappa

Class of 2023, Current Freshman at Northeastern University

"The Pinewood Scholars Program provided me with the perfect foundation as I began my academic career as a data science and business administration major at Northeastern University.

My favorite class this semester has been Innovation, which has directly reflected all of the core principles and values I have attained from the PSP program! I was so excited to be able to discuss all of the projects I had tackled during my time with PSP, not only with fellow students but with my professors as well!

Reflecting on all of my previous experiences of social impact and entrepreneurship that I was already familiarized with during my time at Pinewood has truly helped me feel as though I have a strong grip on all the new materials introduced in my college course.

PSP gave me the skills to contribute to class discussions confidently, and even share new perspectives and insights from what I learned throughout my high school career."

Join PSP

The Pinewood Scholars Program (PSP) is our signature initiative for juniors and seniors focused on social entrepreneurship. It spans one and a half years, equipping students with the skills to become socially responsible entrepreneurs.

Junior Year: Focuses on understanding social entrepreneurship and its impact, along with an introduction to design thinking.

Senior Year: Delves into more complex topics like ethical considerations and inclusive business practices, building on the junior year experience.

10th Graders: Apply Today

There are two ways for students to apply:

  1. Interview in person between April 8th and 12th (sign up for an interview slot here)
  2. Fill out a written application here (by April 12th)

Want to Know More?

Explore our past newsletters to get a feel for program experiences, speakers, and projects • Follow our latest adventures on Instagram!

Questions about the program? Have a fabulous speaker to recommend, or an impactful organization that our class should visit? Please contact Michelle Gannon at mgannon@pinewood.edu.

2023-24 Pinewood Scholars

Lacey Armistead, Jamie Burton, Jane Butler, Cole Chatterjee, Annabelle Eaton, Zach Galbraith, Katherine Garr, Ruby Hannely, Alakh Kapadia, Arnav Karandikar, Jake Kleiman, Elena Magliaro, Anika Nambisan, Violet Negrette, Vishesh Ranganathan, Leo Shang, Michael Shtrom, Christina Tanase, Koh Taradash, Avery Wilson, Kathleen Xie