"Future Furniture Studio Lights Up Students"

"This week, high school students wrapped up their final projects as part of the Future Furniture studio. This studio, led by NuVuX Fellow Ben Johnson, combined principals from math, biology, humanities, electrical engineering, and art in the design of a lighting element. But it was no ordinary lighting element. The studio incorporated an up-cycling element - constraining students to use only paper cups, hot glue, and string in their designs. Using nothing but these few materials to encapsulate a lightbulb in any way they chose, they stretched their imaginations to create truly unique and site specific designs.

Students were deeply invested and engaged in the design process, moving between experimentation, sketching, prototyping, and installation as their pieces evolved and developed. Throughout the studio, students explored the emergent beauty of modular design.

Students also discovered the power of installations -- a temporary exploration to transform the atmosphere, mood, and vibe of a space. They learned how these positive, collaborative transformations have the ability to impact the way we think, develop, and interact with ourselves, our peers, and our wider community.

The lamps have become a launching point for innovative ideas. Some questions students have asked:

‍What if we scaled up the structure to become a modular greenhouse?

What if we scaled down the structure to the size of a cell for biomedical devices?

What if it was the size of a star and harvested solar energy?!

What would happen if we used cupcake liners instead of paper cups?

These questions are a great reminder that innovative ideas brought into reality can help spark collaboration, creative confidence, and a culture that values leaving a space better than they found it."

MVSU Fine Arts Night

The MVSU first annual Fine Arts Night was a resounding success! The halls were filled with the sights and sounds celebrating the achievements of the actors, artists, and musicians from all of our schools. 

The art galleries were bursting with enthusiasts and the performers had a packed house with standing room only! Thank you all for supporting the MVSU Fine Arts programs!

Giving Back to Younger Students

Last week a group of 11th and 12th graders presented to the entire middle school, sharing their personal stories and memories of the challenges they experienced in early adolescence. With the wisdom of their years, they offered thoughts, advice and tips on how to navigate those challenges. You could hear a pin drop in the audience. Thank you to 12th graders Caedon Perrault, Aubrey Seman, Joey Sluka, and Jane Stout. Thank you to 11th graders, Jess Bauman, Gianni Blanchard, Kaitlyn Burres, Aleks Cirovic, Ian Coates, Asher Emery, Mimi Kanda-Olmstead, and Riley O'Neal. 

Vermont Human Rights Commission presents "Know Your Rights"

On March 26, Executive Director and General Counsel of the Vermont Human Rights Commission Big Hartman and colleague came to present "Know Your Rights". Big Hartman discussed the legally protected categories. Areas covered were Fair Housing Rights and Complaints, Employment Rights and Complaints, and Harassment. Big presented to approximately 30 students and staff. School-based harassment under Vermont Law was also covered in more detail. This was truly an engaging presentation with many students asking qreat questions and taking notes!

LIBRARY NEWS!

April is National Library Month and to celebrate we had some exciting programming going on in our library and a field trip that included a tour of one of the most famous libraries in the world! In this week's From the Library newsletter, read about Dr. Ambros's visit and inspirational talk on his Nobel Prize winning discovery of microRNA, the Middle School Book Club's trip to New York City to visit the Anne Frank exhibit at the Center for Jewish History, get a reminder about the next Faculty/Staff Book Club meeting on May 1 and mark your calendars for two upcoming Vermont Book Festivals!  Click here for more information and photos.

Please remember to return your overdue books (notices went out on Monday), renew books you need more time to read and check out some new spring reads!

Pictured to the left:  Students standing in front NY Public Library