In honor of National Computer Science Education Week, Nora Ayanian, MIT's Visionary Top Innovator 2017 and a USC Roboticist & Gabilan Assistant Professor of Computer Science, will video chat with students in the TL Innovation Lab to inspire new academic and career paths!
"Lunch Hour of Code" with TL Innovation Lab to Celebrate Nation Computer Science Education Week, Dec 5 -11
"Lunch" Hour of Code is coming to TL Innovation Lab on Dec 9 at lunch in room 302! The Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics. Check out intro Minecraft tutorials, win prizes and enjoy pizza party! The goal is for tens of millions of students to try an Hour of Code during December 5 - 11, in celebration of Computer Science Education Week. More info contact: Maya Bartolf at bartolf.family@gmail.com
TL Innovation Lab: Leading the Tech Revolution at TL
Who said there is no tech or innovation going on at Terra Linda High School (TL)? In fact, TL is going through a digital and tech revolution!
This Fall, we are excited to announce that Academic Excellence will be launching TL Innovation Lab, an umbrella lunch time enrichment program that incorporates coding, making, and digital media. Only a year and a half ago, TL was very much like many high schools with no computer science classes or tech curriculum reflecting a national trend in lack of student interest. TL was also victim of the financial downturn which severely limited the district's ability to add new classes and upgrade infrastructure. In less than 2 years, we are now able to offer lunch time enrichment with more depth and relevance to our students.
In 2013, former Principal Lars Christen told parents that it would be “impossible” to add new classes in computer science or find the Edtech talent within the financial constraints of a “Basic 8” school. In 2014, Academic Excellence (a parent volunteer group that advocates, supports, and develops enrichment programs at TL) reached out to build partnerships with TL administration, San Rafael City Schools (SRSC), and tech-focused companies to help launch TLCoding Lab -- a “startup" lunchtime enrichment program to provide online computer science instruction to all students. CodeHS was the primary community partner, launching the program through a generous donation of their online computer science instruction and mentorship. TLCoding Lab grew quickly and organically through student advocacy and enthusiasm, helping to shape access and build pathways to computer science at TL. TLCoding Lab has expanded from once a week enrichment to 3 days a week or enrichment programs to create more depth in learning through hands-on projects in applied computer science and digital media at our new Innovation Lab.
TL Innovation Lab includes a new Maker Lab and a new Media Lab along with TLCoding Lab to offer more time for students to learn, collaborate, and innovate. A recent gift by Hermes Econometrics gave seed money to start the Maker Lab and Guest Mentor Program to facilitate project based learning in computer science and digital media at TL. The TL Media Lab is lead by Lisa Cummings, a Graphic Design Teacher at TL, who plans to work with our other programs to apply learning in graphic design to computer science projects. The Maker Lab will be headed by a Guest Mentor, an industry professional who will teach hands-on projects to make learning more dynamic for our students.
TL Innovation Lab will continue to attract top tech industry professionals and community partners who have supported our fledgling programs. Lisa Seacat Deluca, IBM’s Master Inventor and MIT’s Top Innovator Under 35, was one of the first tech leaders to encourage our students to bridge the gender gap in technology by advocating for more females and diversity in computer science. Deluca tweeted, “I love what you [TLCoding Lab] are doing and …wish I had something like it when I was in high school.” Roger Ruttiman, Vice President of Technology & Engineering at Dorsal, will be our first Guest Mentor teaching our students how to make really cool stuff to showcase at the Maker Faire 2017!
TLCoding Lab grew quickly and organically through student advocacy and enthusiasm, helping to shape access and build pathways to computer science at TL. TL Innovation Lab is a direct result of the positive outcomes of TLCoding Lab. Student advocacy, along with our deep partnerships with Principal Katy Dunlap, SRCS, and community partners, has opened conversations to support technology upgrades, infrastructure improvements, and new paths for learning in digital Tech. This year, TL received district funding for badly needed upgrades and also added two Advanced Placement Computer Science classes and an Advanced Graphic Design class. Last year, TL Coding Lab organized a screening and discussion with Robin Hauser Reynolds, Director, “CODE: Debugging the Gender Gap in Technology in partnership with California Film Institute, Mill Valley Film Festival. Coordinating funding for busses to include students from San Rafael High School, Davidson, and Miller Creek Middle School, TL Coding Lab expanded its reach district-wide.
TLCoding Lab is leading the way in Computer Science!” tweeted Mary Jane Burke, Superindent of Schools Marin County Office of Education at the Summerfest Celebration 2016. TL Innovation Lab continues to evolve and innovate in bringing computer science and digital media instruction to all students at TL and beyond. #CSforallstudentsatTL!
Hermes Econometrics Launches TLCoding Lab's Guest Mentor Program
Hermes Econometrics supports Computer Science at Terra Linda High School
Academic Excellence at Terra Linda High (AE@TL) School is pleased to share some wonderful news! Our new corporate partners at Hermes Econometrics, California Registered Investment Advisors based in San Rafael, CA, kicks-off our new school year of financial giving with a generous gift of $13,000 to TLCoding Lab. Hermes Econometrics Corporate Gift will support enriched learning in computer science and technology for all students at Terra Linda High School. Our partners at Hermes Econometrics want to help create new opportunities in Computer Science earlier in the academic lives and careers for all students—and specially to help bridge the gender gap for female students. TLCoding Lab is a lunchtime enrichment program open to all students that provides computer science instruction while building community around all things tech at TL. TLCoding Lab will use this gift to support project-based instruction and materials for applied computer science projects in the coming school year which launches our new Guest Mentor Program. Guest Mentors are community partners who volunteer to come in and teach an applied computer science project to our students.
“We are proud to be a partner of such an innovative and exciting program that provides access and career pathways to computer science for all students-- especially girls who code at TL.” said Maia L. McGehee, Principal, Hermes Econometrics. “We will be able to launch our new guest mentor program which allow our students to work on applied computer science projects with Arduinos and specialized materials and software,” said Craig Taylor, Head Mentor, TL Coding Lab. “This generous gift reflects the importance of computer science as a fundament knowledge base and skillset for students moving forward into their future academic and professional careers,” said Katy Dunlap, Principal Terra Linda High School. AE@TL thanks our wonderful partners at Hermes Econometrics on behalf of Terra Linda High School and all of our students interested in computer science and all things tech!
Vist our websites to learn more about how you can become involved with TLCoding Lab or Academic Excellence@TL
Play Games All Day with Mark James, Vice President of Technology, 2K
"Play Games All Day" was the presentation that Mark James, Director of Technology, 2K Games gave to our TLCoding Lab Students as part of the TLTalks Special Speaker Series--an enrichment program designed to inspire our students beyond their academic classes at TL. Most TL Coding students had only a vague idea of what it would be like to work in the video game industry, but James' discussion really created a thorough and accessible understanding of the experience and expertise required to work in the competitive world of the gaming industry. Our students learned that software developers do way more than "Play Games All Day!
Through artful visual metaphors James segmented the software development into 4 categories: Creative, Rendering, Physics and Game Design. He then gave examples roles and work experience for each category;--and how they work with other categories to develop aspects of the video game under the lead of the Technology Director. Our students realized that there are many people, sometimes a small army, to create a successful commercial game. Communication and collaboration were key skills of successful teams in game development. As Director of Technology, James shared how he enjoyed leading the cross collaboration between the development groups, and all games at 2K.
Also, it was interesting to learn that at the C based languages: C++, Objective-C and C# were fundamental to program software in the gaming industry. James kept it real in terms of the extensive skill sets, professional experience and expertise to actually work at one of the top game development companies. Advanced math and physics are fundamental to game design and engineering in gaming. "2K won't even consider you for an internship until your at a senior level in college," said James. Many of our students understood that a solid foundation in computer science and math is the gateway to a professional role in any top gaming company.
"Keep making toys and games ...and that one day you will apply that creativity to your video game" encouraged James. "When I was about your age...I spent many hours in my bedroom teaching myself to code and how to make simple video games," and James encouraged them to stick with it! James is a self taught software engineer. James has been a leader in development at many of the top companies in the gaming industry including: Disney Lucas Arts, and Sony. He now is Director of Technology across all game titles at 2K. 2K Games develops and publishes interactive entertainment globally for console systems, handheld gaming systems and personal computers, including smartphones and tablets, which are delivered through physical retail, digital download, online platforms and cloud streaming services. 2K publishes titles in today’s most popular gaming genres, including shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, sports, casual, and family entertainment.
The 2K label includes some of the most talented development studios in the world today, including Firaxis Games, Visual Concepts, Hangar 13, Irrational Games, 2K Marin, 2K Australia, 2K Czech, Cat Daddy Games and 2K China. 2K’s stable of high quality titles includes the critically acclaimed BioShock®, Borderlands™ and XCOM® franchises, the beloved Sid Meier’s Civilization series, the popular WWE 2K franchise and NBA 2K, the #1 rated and #1 selling basketball franchise. 2K is headquartered in Novato, California and is a wholly owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
Thanks so much to Mark James for his generosity, inspiration, and also mentoring our eager students at TLCoding Lab! And also a HUGE shout out from our students for the cool 2K swag!!!!
Art of Building Community & Consciousness!
Just weeks after the Paris climate talk and COP21, TL Visual Art Students celebrated their creative expression and perceptions of their changing world at the opening reception of their new exhibition: Metamorphosis: Explorations of Climate Change by Visual Art Students at Terra Linda High School. San Rafael-based art center Art Works Downtown (AWD) organized collaborative Climate Change exhibitions in their galleries to inspire stewardship of the planet by showcasing a diverse range of artists’ visions of adaptation and responses to our changing environment. TL Visual Art Students were invited to be a part of this collaborative effort organized by Art Works Downtown (AWD), The Baum Foundation, and the Environmental Youth Forum to focus local perceptions on the complex relationship of environment and our changing world in a series of related talks and exhibitions that highlight this important issue within our community in Marin, January - February 2016.
Metamorphosis explores the natural environment and personal perceptions of our students, and the inter-connectedness of their changing world.Transformation, alteration, and adaptation are explored in works created in a variety of media by our Visual Art students.
On the eve of the closing of TL's Metamorphosis exhibit this weekend, reflection informs the importance of such exhibition opportunities for our aspiring young artists. For many of our young artists, it was their first public exhibition of their work, and opportunity to share their creative expression with an audience beyond their campus. "Metamorphosis was a powerful opportunity for their individual expression to become part of a larger voice of artists in their community addressing an important global issue that they will face in their adult lives." said Katy Bernheim, TL Visual Art Teacher. "It is so wonderful to see TL students with their families and our community sharing their work and expression through a lens of environmentalism along with other artists in the community, " said Stan Gibbs, Program Director, AWD. TL Visual art students were so proud taking pictures and enjoying visitors appreciating their work and joining in conversation about art, environment and community with a diverse audience.
Also, the opening reception was not only a celebration of their work, but an opportunity for our students and their families to explore companion exhibitions and perceptions by artists exploring the same subject in the anchor exhibition: Climate Change in the main gallery at AWD. The opening reception for Metamorphosis was timed to be apart of the monthly 2nd Friday ArtWalk celebration, anchored by Art Works Downtown galleries and artist studios links art venues along downtown Fourth Street the second Fridays of each month. Our students and TL community also had the opportunity to enjoy galleries, open studios, art exhibits, live music and refreshments in downtown San Rafael. Our students got to see art as a viable career path by visiting the many open studios and galleries. This monthly celebration drew wonderfully diverse audiences to see our students work and engage in a community of art and environment in our community. "I love to see the TL students and their families so proud and taking selfies with their child's art!" said Maya Bartolf, Chair of Academic Excellence and creator of the Art Beyond TL, a visual art enrichment Program at TL.
So many students, families, friends, alums, and members of the TL Community came out to celebrate and support Metamorphosis and our visual art students. Fellow art teachers from a variety of schools in Marin popped in to congratulate our students and wonderful art teachers. Students found it meaningful to see such community support and also were proud to see many adult alums stop by and share their memories of their art classes and TL experiences in the good old days!"I love that TL art students have this opportunity, and that the programs seems to be thriving.." said "Bebe", Professional Fine Artist and TL Alumna, exhibiting in the anchor exhibit: Climate Change in the AWD's 1337 Gallery.
Our hats-off to our students and our incredibly dedicated art and photography teachers Katy Bernheim, and Allsion Oropallo, for pulling together such an amazing art show. A HUGE thank you to our friends and partners at Art Works Downtown for creating such a wonderful opportunity for our visual art students at TL! Many thanks to the parent volunteers of Academic Excellence@TL who coordinate the details and work to develop the Art Beyond TL enrichment program for our students so that more opportunities to share their work and learn from the art of sharing creative expression with their community.
TLTalks: Access to Computer Science and Girls Who Code at TL with Director Robin Hauser Reynolds
Director Robin Hauser Reynolds leads discussion with Mill Valley Film Festival's Education Coordinator of her new documentary, CODE:Debugging the Gender Gap in Technology at a special screening generously arranged to build community around computer science and raise visibility for TLCoding Lab, Physic's Academy at San Rafael High School and the Advanced Digital Media Class at Miller Creek Middle School in October 2015.
Academic Excellence@TL's (AE@TL) new enrichment program, TLTalks has attracted a diverse range of speakers to inspire our students beyond the classroom. As a response to initiatives supported by AE@TL in providing access to computer science and technology to all student , this Fall we recruited two of the top women in technology to speak to our students: : Lisa Secant Deluca, IBM Master Inventor & MIT's Top Innovator Under 30, and Robin Hauser Reynolds, Director, Debugging the Gender Gap in Technology.
Both speakers addressed the lack of women and people of color in computer science and technology, and the importance of creating a pipeline of students to enter computer science and STEM paths in higher education and professional fields. A common point both tech savvy speakers identified as a barrier to girls entering or continuing in computer science is that there are very few females in computer labs--as labs are typically male dominated environments with very few role models. AE@TL's new speaker series put the spotlight on this issue to raise awareness of the lack access for all student to computer science at our school and in Marin.
Like most high schools in our country, TL falls in the 90% of schools that don't include computer science as a path in the curriculum or even as an elective class. "It is ironic that our school is located only about an hour north of Silicon Valley and doesn't have programming." said Craig Taylor, Head Mentor and Co-Founder, TLCoding Lab. "TLCoding Lab is our soloution-- a lunch time enrichment program-- that recruits all students. .... We see computer science as a necessary knowledge base for the 21st Century, and we are building a program and community that is inclusive to a diverse range of students--especially girls and students without access to the internet and tech ed outside of school." said Taylor. Why is TLCoding Lab attracting this diversity in their lunchtime enrichment program? Inclusiveness was part of TLCoding Lab's mission from the start.
TLCoding Lab now can boast that on most weeks, it has more girls than boys and about half of the students are from diverse ethnicity-- rather than the stereotype of nerdy white male students who code. Since TLCoding Lab's launch last March, it has worked hard to create an inclusive community to explore computer science and all things tech for all students. "We have more women parent mentors, than men... so from the start our program seems welcoming to our female students." said, Kelly Kaplan, Parent Mentor TLCoding Lab and Software Developer. Our online instruction through CodeHS attracts a broader group of students who might not otherwise explored computer science, as it is a weekly lunchtime enrichment program and not a class. Also, our innovative approach takes away the impact on grades or gpa as it offers self-paced learning. Our students explore computer science gradually and confidently building up logic and skill sets without required prerequisites or advanced math. Our students feel comfortable to explore and reach out to peers for support. "Even our Head Mentor is learning with our students, " said Maya Bartolf, Parent Mentor and Co-Founder, TLCoding Lab. This combination makes exploring computer science accessible for all. We hope to expand our program to be open daily for learning and innovation!
Industry professionals have provided wonderful talks to our eager young coders. "We offer a broad range of topics from app development to cyber risk management." said Craig Taylor, Head Mentor, TLCoding Lab. Thanks to TLTalks our students have had direct conversations with very accomplished women in tech! "Their message and example have really changed the balance in our lab and we are grateful to keep attracting girls and all students as it will be a valuable skill set to have for future academic and career paths!" said Marla Myles, Parent Mentor TLCoding Lab. TLCoding Lab welcomes everyone and any student can start coding at anytime during the year! TLCoding Lab looks forward to a year of engaging our students with speakers who are doing amazing things in computer science and tech! There is no better inspiration than getting encouraged by industry professionals who are so accomplished and were once high school students! Hats-off to the many AE@TL parent volunteers who invite speakers to share and inspire our students beyond our campus!
Lessons in Coding, Generosity, and Mentorship from Lisa Seacat Deluca, Software Engineer, IBM's Master Inventor & MIT's Top Innovator Under 35
"I wish I had something like this [TLCoding Lab] when I was in high school." tweeted Lisa Seacat Deluca, IBM's Master Inventor and MIT's Top Innovator Under 35! TLCoding Lab kicked off our new school year with a Skype Chat with Deluca. "Lisa was incredibly generous with our students considering she made time to share with our coding students only days before the birth of twin daughters, which happen to be her second set of twins." said Craig Taylor, Head Mentor of TLCoding Lab. From the outset of our chat, our students understood DeLuca is not only, a rock star software engineer, a super role model for women in engineering, and author of the children's book, A Robot Story, but would also soon be a working mother of 4 children under 3 years of age. An extraordinary example of a working mother with a dynamic career and family life who takes time out to mentor young girls and boys interested in programming. Deluca taught our students volumes with her generous mentorship and is an incredibly accomplished software engineering and creative innovator--and an INSPIRATION to our students, especially our female students.
Deluca shared that she discover technology in high school through learning html. Then, jumped into programming by heading off to Carnegie Mellon’s School of Computer Science in 2001. She shared that it was intimidating, and really hard as she was not the typical female student while also being a student athlete. Lisa was warned that it would be impossible to participate in a varsity basket ball and volleyball, traveling across the country for games, while also pursuing a degree in computer science from one of the top undergrad programs in the world. "The first two years were brutal and didn't really get great grades....but I stuck with it..." shared DeLuca.
DeLuca found mostly male mentorship from her college professors and colleagues at internships as the weren't many females. Internships-her first at IBM- helped her apply what she learned in the classroom, and provided opportunities to deepen her love programing. She suggested that our students continue with java. "It was addicting to brainstorm about cutting edge technologies, and to pitch ideas to the company’s patent review boards." said DeLuca. It is no doubt that Deluca holds the record for the most patents with 397 in the history of IBM.
Our chat ended with a Q & A with a handful of questions for DeLuca that reflected the range of knowledge of our beginner to more advanced students. She also offered for our students to reach out to her with questions as they grow as programmers. The take-away for our students is that do what you love, take risks, and that computer science is a wonderful career path for all students affording lifestyle flexibility and a plethora of opportunities in many field--especially for women. Now that she is a working mother, she really appreciates the flexible work schedules and ability to work at home. DeLuca is proud of her accomplishments as an engineer and woman, and it is clear that she loves what she does, and finds mentoring young girls and boys even more rewarding . TLCoding Lab thanks our brilliant role model, Lisa Seacat DeLuca for inspiring lessons in coding, generosity and mentorship.
A Gift To Our Class of 2015: Finance & Philanthropy
To better prepare our soon to be graduates for future endeavors beyond TL, Academic Excellence@TL held it’s second annual seminar on Finance & Philanthropy --a seminar designed for our seniors to be introdued to the fundamentals of personal finance, and to foster a greater understanding of the power of giving back to community. Amanda Weitman, Former Chair of Academic Excellence@TL 2014, and Vice President Wells Fargo Private Bank, along with her associates at Marin Community Foundation (MCF) generously developed this two-day seminar to provide our graduates with the tools and knowledge to make smart financial choices and to engage in mindful philanthropy early in life. Understanding personal finance early in life allows students to gain control of their financial lives to enable them to follow their passions and dreams to make a difference in the world. AE@TL seeks to provide enrichment programs to better prepare our students for their endeavors beyond TL.
Personal Finance 101
"Does money buy you happiness?" Weitman asked our eager seniors, while exploring how personal finance gives one the freedom and ability to accomplish their dreams. Our students learned that money affects how you lead your life, and how choices become limited without it. The impacts of college debt was a topic that immediately grabbed the attention of our student audience. Weitman then shared engaging stories of people with tremendous income, who were also in debt, and living pay check to pay check; underscoring the importance of financial literacy. The eye-opening numbers and graphs she projected on to the screen added up to show how nearly impossible it is to live in Marin on $10 per hour. Our students also learned how making smart financial choices early in life frees one from being imprisoned by the stuff one owns, being stuck in your job, and living paycheck to paycheck. The take-away for our students was a strong understanding of personal finance early in life; enables you to take control of the kind of life that you want to live; and allows you to follow your passions and focus on what really matters to you. Our students left the seminar with a greater sense of personal empowerment and more ready to understand how their finances impact them as young adults.
Spirit of Philanthropy
"Philanthropy is about a spirit...," explained Brian Van Weele, Director Philanthropic Planning, MCF and TL alum, Class '81; while identifying that the best examples of philanthropy integrate personal passions and values with the goals of the organization or cause that one supports. The MCF team guided the class of 2015 through a rich understanding of the spirit of giving back to your community in time, talent or treasure for the common good. Students explored questions like: What is philanthropy, and its role in society today? How is it practiced? And, what are the benefits to the giver and receiver? To illustrate the tremendous need for support of the poor in our global community, MCF incorporated stories from the award-winning book by Thomas A. Nazario, Living On A Dollar A Day. The book shares the personal stories of some the poorest of the poor, honoring their lives, their struggles, and encouraging action in those who can help. MCF team also brought the discussion closer to home and raised awareness of the large number of nonprofits in Marin, as well as, the opportunities to support the needs of the underserved in health care, education and environment. Moreover, MCF provided perspective on the many opportunities, in addition to financial support, to give back and make a difference by volunteering in our own community; including donating time, skills and expertise. MCF leaders fostered an understanding and encouragement of charitable behavior, to empower our students to take action for things they deeply care about for the common good in their communities and lives--a wonderful gift to take with them when they head out into the world beyond TL.
A Gift to Our Students & Community
Team MCF concluded with a mindful activity of giving back to our students, and also to our community. MCF generously gave $1,000 to a local nonprofit on behalf of TL graduating seniors as their 2015 class gift. In a vote, the Class of 2015 selected the recipient of their class gift, following a presentation by MCF of three diverse local non-profits as possible grantees: OMA Village, Maker Mobile, and WildCare. OMA Village, a new residential housing facility for 14 homeless families in Marin, won the vote as grantee for their class gift. It was no surprise for this savvy class to take action and support people over education and the environment; reflecting their concerns for the homeless in their community. WildCare was the runner up, reflecting our graduating class' close connection to the environment they share with our local wildlife. TL Class of 2015 thanks our friends at the MCF for sponsoring their class gift in such a memorable and meaningful way!
Thank you for your Generosity
Our hats-off to Amanda Weitman and the MCF team: Dine Demarlie, Linda Sweeney, and Brian Van Weele, for providing powerful seminars on giving back to community, and for educating students on the basic skill sets for personal financial responsibility and management that will enable our students to do the things that matter most to them, while making a difference in their world beyond TL.
Access Denied! Cyber Risk Management in Your World presented by Kieran Norton, Principal Deloitte, Cyber Risk Management
"Nobody wants to get pwned!" says Kieran Norton, Principal Deloitte, Cyber Risk Management, while discussing internet vulnerabilities with students at TLCoding Lab. Norton introduced cyber risk management, and also discussed it as career path for our students beyond their academic careers. He captured his student audience with some intriguing cyber hacking stories that had the entire group listening on edge. Students learned that as a business or even socially as a student, you are flat-lined if you can't access the internet. Student understood his point recognizing that the internet is pervasive in our lives because it is a primary channel for communication-- and is almost like oxygen for us. So, he warned students not to do stupid things as your posts are permanent--even on the transitory Snapchat or Vine. Norton also shared that cyber risk programmers make significantly hirer salaries compared to other programming applications. He offered many sources to follow to learn more about cyber risk management, and also answered our student's many questions. Our hats-off to Kieran for generously taking the time out of his busy professional life to inspire our students beyond the classroom by participating in AE@TL's new enrichment special speaker series, TLTalks.