Diller, Scofidio and Renfro

We went to the incredible architecture firm, Diller, Scofidio and Renfro where Junior Architect Kumar Atre showed us the legacy of the firm's work, and discussed what it's like to work for a company like this.  Then, Jac Mautner gave us a tour of the model shop, and a tour of one of the firm's flagship projects- the Highline!

            The Highline has been a spot of great historical importance and artistic inspiration for some of us Scholars. However to meet the architecture firm that designed and oversaw the construction of this marvelous landmark is priceless.

Located in the melting pot of Chelsea, the firm’s offices were aligned desks with cluttered papers of plans and ideas.  Beautifully made models were scattered throughout the room. There we met a junior architect and the workshop manager.   They gave us a simple history of their firm’s past projects; the reconstruction of the Lincoln Center and the designing of Julliard’s music building. Their style was obvious and elegant.   Julliard’s newly constructed building was sophisticated in its glass structure and modern interior design. The rooms were made to embrace the art of the musicians and the musicians themselves.  Their plan of their unfulfilled public park demonstrated their understanding of space and respect of the environment. This is greatly demonstrated all along the Highline, crowded with plants and flowers.
            After the intro, they gave is a tour. First we closely examined their wondrous craftsmanship in making extremely detailed and accurate models. Then they showed us their workshop. The walls were crowded with tools and materials.  Tables with “models in the making” and materials seemed to almost overflow the tabletops.   At the end of the day, we found ourselves once again on the Highline and saw it with new eyes.   ----Abigail Carrillo

Juniors' Parent Mixer and Inheritance Process drawing exercise

October 20, 2012

We started this afternoon by inviting parents and families to join us for lunch and an informal mixer.  Together, we worked on a symbolic self-portrait project and shared it with the group. 

Teen Design Fair

October 15, 2012

We met at the Cooper Hewitt Teen Design Fair, where high-school students can meet professional designers and have intimate conversations with them about their careers and insights.  Scholars were particularly excited about meeting Tim Gunn, Miss Jay from America's Next Top Model, and Christopher Bevans of Billionaire Boys Clubs.

Digital Literacy Workshop

October 13, 2012

This afternoon, we met as a group to discuss the importance of digital literacy.  We talked about how to select a professional email address, opened up Gmail accounts, and learned how to use Google Drive as a collaboration tool.  Then, we spent most of the session learning how to navigate College Board's college search option.  By using the information Nadia shared with us the week before, we created a list of schools that met both our needs and wants, and began to explore college websites.  Now each of us has a starting list of schools we intend to apply to.

College Preparedness

This past Saturday both the Senior and Junior scholars started preparing for the college application process. The Seniors were introduced to their college mentors, and also started the college research process. By navigating their way through the college websites of their choice, the scholars where able to find out the deadlines for admissions departments and also financial aid information.

By starting now the Senior scholars will hit the ground running once they start filling out the applications for the schools of their choice. Good luck to all the scholars that took their SAT's on Saturday. I hope you all did well!

On Saturday the Juniors were introduced to the college jargon. Learning this will help the scholars understand the application process in their Senior year. This was a great second week of the semester!

Gearing up for a new semester!

The Mentors are hard at work gearing up for a new exciting semester in the Parsons Scholars Program. We're all excited to get started next Saturday (Sept. 29), and we have a great team of dedicated undergraduates to support the Scholars with their great ideas, visions and expertise.

Thanks to all of the Mentors for your continued commitment!

Pre-College Summer Academy

On Friday, August 10th, Parsons Scholars Program celebrated the accomplishments and lessons learned by the newest class of Scholars.  Before entering their junior year of high school, this dedicated group explored their areas of interest during all-day studio classes for two weeks in August in the Pre-College Summer Academy at Parsons in classes such as Digital Video & Photography, Animation, Graphic Design, Illustration, Painting & Drawing, Architecture, Accessory Design and Printmaking.

In addition to making friends from across the country as well as across the globe, the Scholars explored the city during class field trips and were given a taste of a fast-paced college environment with time-consuming homework assignments.  The photos below are evidence of their growth and commitment.

The Open Studio gave the Scholars a chance to witness their peers' accomplishments while getting a taste of the courses they're interested in for future semesters.  

Congratulations on another successful session, Scholars!

Summer Academy Survey!

Juniors:
Please take a moment to fill out this survey in order to reflect on your experience during the summer session.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDI0TlVVM1VkTEdUa3cwTWhXVGNiR0E6MA

Congratulations on completing your first summer program in the Parsons Pre-College Academy!

Scholars Class of 2012

Last night on August 2, 2012 we celebrated the graduation of 13 Scholars from our program. We had a great time celebrating their hard work, as well as that of Stacy, their devoted and tireless coordinator. They might be leaving the program and we won't see them every Saturday morning anymore but, as we all know, once a Scholars, always a Scholar!

The scholars line up for the paper airplane throw, a new tradition!

After the ceremony, the seniors make time to pose and get silly, as expected.

Our wonderful, down-to-earth, talented speaker, Jordan Isip

Stacy reminisces about her time with her Scholars.

Summer fun with the Parsons Scholars!

Summer has been a whirlwind of happenings at the Parsons Scholars Program this year.

As recipients of the Anna Toonk Scholarship, Parsons Scholars Raquel Castillo, Roxana Santana and Andy Bell-Baltaci and Alumni Francisco Vivar, Richard Pean and Paul Gomez, traveled to Paris where they spent 4 weeks taking intensive art and design classes and exploring France.  Take a look at photos of a few of their adventures in previous posts.

Back in NY, rising senior Scholars continued to prove their commitment to their goals through the rigorous coursework of the Summer Intensive Studies program.  During this college credit course, some students confirmed their future college majors, while others were relieved to have the opportunity to narrow down their options before entering college.

Coordinator Yashua Klos holds back the emotions of watching his group of Scholars accomplish their goals.  

Getting the group together at lunch...

 Program friend Steve Kennedy with former student Mariah Watson

Scholars display their accomplishments from a range of classes including Painting + Drawing, Illustration, Fashion Design and Architecture during the SIS Open Studio.

Congrats to all of our Scholars and all of your hard work! 

We look forward to the rising juniors having a great two weeks during Pre-College Academy this month!