Blog

Carlos Avent came back to the school for a Conversation with the students today.  Carlos is the author of “Ten Extraordinary Lessons for an Ordinary Dad”, a parent of  former TCS student and the Associate Director of the Success Coaching Program in Academic Advising  at Johns Hopkins University. He shared his experiences in education and life and the wisdom gained from each of his roles.  The students were inspired by his stories and informed by his tips about choosing a college and finding success there.  We appreciate Mr. Avent’s frequent visits to our school and his support of the students.

Increased tensions between North Korea and Japan are covered in this week’s TCS News edition. Stories around TCS include a Conversation with playwright, musician and actor Nygel Robinson with Greeyo and Hope from Baltimore Center Stage. Also included are stories about a visit from author and photojournalist Jim Burger, researcher and professor Dr. Al Scott, artists Skizz Cryk and Craig Haupt, a codesign seminar with Dr. Greg Walsh and the beginning of a special series on the Civil Rights struggle that will culminate on Dr. Martin Luther King Day.

This week’s edition was produced by Ethan Jobita Jemadari and Jordan Smith with technical assistance from Hector Rivas.

We were exposed to the creative mind and work of artist Craig Haupt in this week’s art seminar. Mr. Haupt has many talents as an artist, photographer, writer and producer of YouTube videos. The students were enthralled by his whimsical drawings and each were given one of his works. Using his many years as an art educator, Mr. Haupt also had the students work on creating a work of their own using thumbnail sketches.

This was another terrific session in this art series curated by Cheryl Fair. Our thanks to both Craig and Cheryl!

Dr. Al Scott, researcher and professor of molecular biology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health came in for a Conversation with the students. Dr. Scott has been a frequent visitor to the school over many years and is always a favorite of the students.

It was an open session where the students asked many questions about topics as varied as career to emerging diseases and treatments to the impact of changes in public policy on vaccinations. It was a lively discussion only limited by time so students are looking for a part 2 soon.

Thank you Dr. Scott for your always generous sharing of time with us!

We had a unique opportunity to learn about the design process while participating in a design workshop today.  Dr. Greg Walsh,  the head of the University of Baltimore’s Center for Digital Communication, Commerce, and Culture conducted the workshop.

The students broke into groups and each developed multiple ideas that would utilize AI to improve lives that were fair, ethical and equitable. They developed many ideas including a device that would translate between ASL and spoken language and one that would analyze data to detect natural disasters and develop a response plan.

We first worked with Dr. Walsh more than 10 years ago and appreciated this opportunity to renew this relationship and work with him again. We are exploring how to incorporate this learning into a regular seminar at the school.

The multitalented Skizz Cyzyk was our guest artist this week in our weekly art series curated by Cheryl Fair. Skizz is a filmmaker, musician, Dj, artist and promoter of artists. He shared his long journey into creative expression starting as a teenager through sharing his films around the world.

The students were fascinated by the short films he shared and the stories he told. Thanks Skizz for so generously sharing your time and works with us!