#Friends Of Design - Academy Of The Digital Arts

[aquaspiderart]

fresh art whipped up for my commissions page

[br0ther-moment]

Here he is ! Both his casual outfit and school uniform (along with some facial expressions) !

Here is some information about him as well:

Name: Freddy Adams

Age: 14 (Freshman Year)

Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation: Cisgender and Heterosexual

Headcanon Voice: Hajime Hinata (Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair)

The main character of the story. His dad is a very successful business man with a huge company specializing in selling a well known phone brand. From 6th grade to 8th grade, he was homeschooled due to harassment from his classmates. He made friends with three kids: Brandon, Fabian, and Charlotte before leaving to be homeschooled. One of the kids, Charlotte, remained friends with him because her mother began working for his dad. When he started high school, he reunited with Brandon and Fabian. He is sleep deprived, overworked, and full of resentment towards his dad, who tends to mentally abuse and torment him. Other than that, he is a cautious but somewhat friendly teen.

[the-only-teruteru-fan]

Some of the participants of the next-gen killing game! These guys belong to me and @detective-dick-gumshoes-pot-room!

(Some of these older designs are inspired by the drawings done of these silly guys by @foryoupeko!! Please check out the art they did I kid you not I pull it up just to look at it at least twice a day IT’S THE GREATEST THING- Also! These are all traced from sprites from the official games in an attempt to recreate the style as closely as possible! Needless to say doing this was mostly for body and face shapes! And finally, this doesn’t contain all of the important characters!)

When the tragedy had begun to die down and the world was beginning to recover, Makoto rebuilt Hope’s Peak Academy to ensure that those who fell victim to the Killing Games were remembered…and to restore Hope’s Peak Academy to the shining beacon it was always meant to be. But something’s gone wrong- it’s impossible. How is he back? What’s going on?

Koji Hinata - Ultimate Gamer

Though it seemed for ages like Chiaki really was gone for good, with the help of Kazuichi and Alter Ego, she was able to be brought back- restored, though stuck fully digital. And she and Hajime were able to be happy.

Koji is an AI created by her years ago to serve as Hajime’s and her child. Though usually quiet and cynical, he loves his parents more than anything in the world and is a whiz at video games.

Now, with an artificial body, Koji was selected to attend Hope’s Peak as the Ultimate Gamer, just like his mom…

…and, having already been forced to participate in a killing game at a young age, Koji wants nothing more than to go back home to his mom and dad.

Hotaru “Angel Boy” Tanaka, the Black Dragon of Tartarus - Ultimate Poet

Sonia and Gundham struggled for ages to conceive, though they wanted a child more than anything in the world. But they stayed hopeful. When Makoto found an infant orphaned by the Tragedy, he suggested the pair take him in- and thus, Hotaru is their “angel boy”, their gifts from the heavens.

Hotaru is just as odd and proud as his father, though he’s much more smooth and charming. He has an interest in all things strange and unusual, and truly cares about those around him.

Natsuki Kuzuryu - Ultimate Sportsman

Natsuki is really bummed that he didn’t get chosen as an Ultimate Swordsman, but he supposes this will have to do.

Though he often comes across as cruel and detached, Natsuki is fiercely loyal to the other Jabberwock Island kids, and won’t let any harm come to his little sister Fumiko or his best friend Aika.

Kiko Naegi - Ultimate Lucky Student

Though she’s never gotten along with him, Kiko takes great pride in the accomplishments of her father and will fiercely defend him against anyone who tries to slander him or his attempts at restoring Hope’s Peak.

She ends up taking lead the most, though she at first clearly has a disdain for the other participants…especially the kids who grew up on Jabberwock Island. She’s extremely annoyed by Honda’s constant emphatic support, but she does grow to care a lot about him.

Fumiko Kuzuryu - Ultimate Negotiator

Fumiko was always a daddy’s girl- and as she grew older, she retained that same innocent physique that her father once had. Fumiko, though, takes great pride in this, as it thoroughly assists her endeavors to manipulate those around her.

Fumiko puts on a very sadistic, uncaring persona, but she’s deeply loyal to her friends and especially her brother, comforting him greatly when Aika dies. She’s the participant who most frequently performs the autopsies.

Aika Mioda-Soda - Ultimate Mechanic

Aika has the combined passion and enthusiasm of both of her parents- and is proud to be following in her dad’s footsteps as the Ultimate Mechanic. Though she causes a lot of trouble- frequently pulling pranks on other participants- she’s desperate to at least build camaraderie between everyone and stop the killing before it happens. How tragic it is, then, when she accidentally becomes blackened herself- executed by one of the machines that her dad built so long ago.

Honda Hagakure - Ultimate Salesman

Honda’s older brother told him that his time at Hope’s peak would be full of great riches, great fortune, and great romance- and he’s right a third of the time, so one of them is bound to happen, right?

Honda is very frightened of this killing game- knowing he’s unable to kill anybody and is an easy target, making his chances of escape slim to none- but when he’s not struggling to withhold panic, he’s usually following Kiko around, who he thinks is a brilliant leader and the smartest person here. (He may or may not have a very obvious crush on her).

Though he can be a bit of an idiot, Honda genuinely wants everything to be okay and is more than willing to make sacrifices for those he cares about.

He’s a bit of a kleptomaniac, with a briefcase full of completely useless trinkets he stole from his peers.

[wabxxisabi]

ོ༘₊⁺☀︎₊⁺⋆.˚ 𝙺𝚘𝚗𝚘𝚑𝚊𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚞 𝚡 𝙷𝚊𝚗𝚊𝚋𝚒: 𝙼𝚘𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚗 𝙰𝚌𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚖𝚢 𝙰𝚄 ( Colored Version) ⋆☀︎｡

Naruto/ Boruto Character Designs by (C) Masashi Kishimoto

Artwork by me wabxxisabi

╰┈➤˗ˏˋ FINALLY I am sharing this colored version of Konohamaru x Hanabi: Modern Academy AU I drew 2 weeks ago ♡ ～('▽^人) Definitely, I had that "Will of Fire" in me to finish and share this with everyone! I can't wait to hear everyone's reactions, comments, one-shots ~

╰┈➤˗ˏˋ All KonoHana shippers rise~! Rare Naruto/ Boruto ship indeed --- Most of all, I wanted to draw Hyuga Hanabi and Konohamaru because I really love their character designs and personality during their younger timelines~

˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　　　 　˚　　　　 . ★⋆. ࿐࿔

　　　.   　　˚　　 　　*　　 　　✦　　　.　　.　　　✦　˚ 　　　　 ˚　.˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　 　　 　　　　 ੈ✧̣̇˳·˖✶ ✦　　

╰┈➤˗ˏˋ Also, this is my first ever Cel Shading process that I learned and applied this week ( big thanks to all the YouTubers who explained to me how layering, shading, light sources and all those basics work (*￣▽￣)b ) Despite the slow learning curve I had, I was able to enjoy the process of layering and appreciate every small details in this artwork of mine!!

╰┈➤˗ˏˋ Special Shoutout to @jollyart - san for being very patient and teaching me the smaller details I needed to improve with this artwork and from all my past drawings. I am very happy to have you as my mentor and friend in my digital art journey. Sending you lots of virtual hugs and support ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و ♡

[wilanserulia]

Hi, I'm Wilan! I'm a freelancer artist from Italy, and I work with digital media. I specialize in illustration and character design. I'm also a FFXIV Gpose enthusiast, and I write fanfic for my OCs in my free time.

And well, in this blog you can find stuff I create, which is usually either about my TTRPG OCs or my FFXIV OCs.

• My art: #art • My gpose: #gpose

I'm mainly active on tumblr, but if you use other socials you can also follow me on: • Twitter • Instagram (art) • Instagram (gpose) • BlueSky If you just want to check out my art: • ArtStation • Cara • deviantART If you want to read my fanfics: • AO3 For anything else: • Linktree

More info about my OCs under the divider!

FFXIV

I've been playing FFXIV since its original launch in 2010. I'll happily tell details of the story of the two characters I play to anyone who will listen to me, through gposing, art and writing.

Wilan Serulia

Wilan hails from a small island off the coast of La Noscea. The fisherman's life, however, never appealed to him, his gaze ever pointed beyond the horizon, his traveler's heart aching to explore the world. Fate had other plans for the fledgling adventurer, however. Hydaelyn chose Wilan as her Champion, her Warrior of Light, and he's been slowly buckling under the growing weight of the many responsibilties placed on his shoulders.

Tag: #Wilan #Aldarulia (ship)

Delen Aldanea

Born in a Garlean-occupied Terncliff, Delen grew up under imperial dictatorship until Eorzea's champion killed Gaius van Baelsar in combat, when she managed to escape while the colonies under his command scrambled to re-establish order. After reaching the shores of Eorzea as a refugee, the Werlytian girl was taken in by the very same Warrior of Light who felled the Black Wolf, who gave her a place to stay. Free at last but still stuck in her traumas, in Limsa she would meet a friend who would slowly but surely help her move forward with her life and enjoy what her newfound freedom had to offer.

Tag: #Delen #Aldarulia (ship)

TTRPG

I've been playing TTRPG for, like, 15 years now. D&D 3.5, Pathfinder, DnD 5e, Pathfinder 2e, Fate RPG, and most recently Fabula Ultima. Over this decade and half I've created plenty of characters and, boy, I can't stop talking about them if you get me going. I have way too many OCs to list on a pinned post. I did however list them here. But I'll introduce a few more recent and prominent ones anyway.

Viria

Born from an affair between a desert elf and a human woman, the mixed-race child has been unwanted by her human family ever since she was born, her very presence an uncomfortable reminder of her mother's infidelity. She ran away from home in her teens, around the time she started to develop her magic powers from her elven bloodline, met a similarly outcast half-orc girl and turned to a life of delinquency for a while under the destructive influence of her companion. But in the end she came into her own thanks to her found family, who accepted her for who she was and taught her a better way to be herself, and she blossomed into a bright and cheerful young woman.

Tag: #Viria

Hoshiko

Living a cyberpunk world where lovecraftian mythos were revealed to be real, Hoshiko Yukimura is a brilliant student of the University of Prague, enrolled in the faculty of Arcane Studies. Her natural pre-disposition for controlling magic made her a candidate for an elite corp of soldiers called Vakyries, and under the many pressures of the academy, society and her own family, Hoshiko caved, put aside anything she could consider childish or immature and dedicated herself to the pursuit of her studies. That is, until a botched ritual called an unknown creature into this world. The entity, inhabiting the cat-like construct intended to serve as a familiar, luckily seems to be benovelt toward Hoshiko, grants her a mysterious power, and is bringing chaos into the orderly girl's life, somehow pushing her toward healthier life choises in the process.

Tag: #Hoshiko Yukimura

Nora

A woman from one of the many nomad tribes of Numeria, the robot-infested wasteland of Golarion. Nora's unique appearance, a tiefling resembling a Balor, with goat horns, red skins, and two leathery wings sprouting from her lower back, is the result of having being conceived in the neighbouring land of Sarkoris under the corrupting influence of the Worldwound, the colossal planar rift connecting the material world and the Abyss, plane of the Demons. Nevertheless, being but one freak among many, Nora became a formidable warrior and a capable mercenary. It was during a job for the Crusade where she witnessed (and barely survived) the might of the Storm King Khorramzadeh, lord among balors and master of electricity. The encounter awakened something in Nora, that once channeled manifested a whip of lightning and command over lightning, earning her the title of Daughter of the Storm.

Tag: #Nora

[eliteprepsat]

Preparing for the first year of high school can feel overwhelming, but starting in the summer can help ease the transition. Here are some practical steps to get rising ninth graders ready for this exciting new chapter.

1. Strengthen Academic Skills

High school will build on what you’ve learned in middle school, so it’s crucial to have a strong foundation. In ninth grade, students typically take biology, world history, and algebra or geometry. Use the summer to brush up on subjects where you feel less confident or preview subjects that are new to you. There are plenty of online resources, such as Khan Academy, that offer free courses in various subjects. If working with a live instructor or tutor is better for you, then enroll in a preview class at Elite Prep.

2. Read Regularly

Reading is one of the best ways to improve your comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. Furthermore, reading skills are important to many high school subjects, including history, science, and (of course) English language arts. Choose a mix of fiction and non-fiction books to expand your horizons – doing so will not only prepare you academically but also make you a more engaged learner. Check our Recommended Summer Reading List for Ninth Graders.

3. Get Involved in Extracurricular Activities

Explore extracurricular activities that interest you. High schools offer a variety of clubs, sports, and organizations. Summer is a great time to try new things and discover what you’re passionate about. Whether it’s joining a sports team, learning a musical instrument, or volunteering in your community, these activities will help you develop new skills and make new friends.

Furthermore, if you plan to participate in particular extracurricular activities in high school, consider using your summer time to prepare and hone your abilities (e.g., work on past exams for Science Olympiad and math competitions, practice your skills for a sport like basketball and track and field, and learn to code for robotics or website design).

4. Learn Time Management

High school will demand better time management skills than middle school. Start practicing now by setting a schedule for your summer activities. Include time for study, hobbies, and relaxation. Learning to balance these activities will prepare you for the busy high school schedule. Try techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for 25 minutes followed by a 5-minute break.

5. Understand High School Expectations

Familiarize yourself with what will be expected of you in high school. Attend any orientation sessions offered by your high school and read through the student handbook. Knowing the school’s rules, dress code, and academic policies will help you adjust more quickly. Talk to older students or siblings about their experiences to get a sense of what to expect.

6. Set Goals

Setting goals can give you a sense of direction and purpose. Think about what you want to achieve in your first year of high school. These could be academic goals, such as maintaining a certain GPA, or personal goals, like joining a club or making new friends. Write down your goals and revisit them regularly to track your progress.

7. Get Organized

High school comes with more responsibilities and a heavier workload. Start by organizing your study space and materials. Create a filing system for your schoolwork and important documents. Invest in a planner or use a digital calendar to keep track of assignments, extracurricular activities, and important dates. Being organized from the start will help you manage your time effectively.

8. Develop Good Study Habits

High school courses will be more challenging, so developing good study habits now will pay off later. Find out what study methods work best for you. Some students prefer studying alone in a quiet environment, while others do better in study groups. Try different techniques like summarizing information, using flashcards, or teaching what you’ve learned to someone else.

Starting high school is a significant milestone, and preparing over the summer can make a big difference. By strengthening your academic skills, reading regularly, getting involved in extracurricular activities, managing your time, understanding high school expectations, setting goals, getting organized, and developing good study habits, you’ll be well-prepared to start high school with confidence and enthusiasm. Enjoy your summer and look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead!

[apath3t1c-pr1nc3]

🌈 Apathetic Prince 👑

――――――――――

General Information ――――――――――

Hiii, you can call me Zero or Prince :>

★ Transgender Male (ftm/female to male, or however else you want to say it- it's so confusing 😭 but jokes are fine )

★ Caaaliiifooornia giiirlsss... 🧍‍♂️

★ He/Him/His (masculine pronouns!!) Please DO NOT use feminine pronouns!! I really hate them.

★ ISTP-T / Virtuoso 🙂...

★ October 28 🦂♏️ hEHe. scorscor.

★ I AM a minor, please take note of this.

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Stuffiez I Like 🧸

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★ Lord of the Flies (currently thinking about 24/7) [ 1990 very mid :( ]

★ Star Wars 1-6 (the sequels are yucky)

★ Death Note

★ Avatar: The Last Airbender

★ Helluva Boss & Hazbin Hotel

★ Welcome Home Puppet Show

★ Seinfeld

★ The Umbrella Academy

★ Harry Potter

★ The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.

★ Ouran High School Host Club

★ Five Nights at Freddy's

★ Mean Girls (both 2004 & 2024)

★ Tanaka-kun Is Always Listless

★ The Promised Neverland

★ The Hamilton Musical

★ Miraculous Ladybug

★ The Stanley Parable

★ It

★ Demon Slayer

★ Loki, though I don't understand Marvel 🙂...

★ Disney/Pixar movies. No one's ever too old. 😌👍

Etc. :)ㅤㅤㅤsmiles of silly insanity

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

★ Radiohead

★ Nine Inch Nails (NIN)

★ Bondage Fairies

★ Glass Animals ★ Taylor Swift

★ Olivia Rodrigo

★ Noah Kahan

★ Muse

★ The Fray

★ Gracie Abrams

★ NF

★ Twenty One Pilots

★ Imagine Dragons

★ Alina Pash

★ Travis Scott

Etc. <3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

★ The goofy gooberz I love to call my friends 🧡🧡

★ Art (I'm only good at digital 😭💀)

★ Video gamess

★ Grammer whammer bammer hammer when I'm not trying to be silly

★ Keyboard/Piano

★ RRRRREEEEEEEDDUHH ❤️ red is so pretty

★ The number five... I can thank Five from TUA for that

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This Bloggy!!

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★ My art my not look like much, but I do try my very best. :> I am still learning... without a teacher. 💀

★ I will happily accept requests excluding NSFW. None of that here, please!! If I do accept any, I will try my best to make it look gooooood for you. 😭😭

★ My art style constantly changes, and I also just have MULTIPLE STYLES, I guess, hence "Mr. What's My Art Style?" The same goes with character designs.

★ I do not strive for perfection in my art as it is literally impossible and doesn't even matter all that much. ✌️🫠

★ My art tags are #my art and apath3t1c-pr1nc3 || Answers tag is #AP answers

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Socials

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Twitter/X : apath3t1cpr1nc3

TikTok : apath3t1cpr1nc3

I never use those, though 😭

My Discord is only accessible to Mutuals. ^^ (Moots, feel free to ask!)

ㅤ

ㅤ

I am very messy and unorganized. 🧍‍♂️

3.29.24

[funz1es]

{INTRO POST}

- I have an online persona, Fun/Funzies

- I go by any pronouns because the gender rabbit hole is endless, and I've only managed to stop myself halfway down

- I'll try to post whenever I can, but there will be times when I won't post at all

- I'll make moodboards, user boxes, collages, and other FREE art commissions for people!

- Art blog: @fun-has-art-to-share

-//Digital art//Traditional sketches//A lot of character design and persona/oc/self inserts//Probably other things here and there//-

Fandoms: Helluva Boss//Hazbin Hotel//Marvel//Harry Potter//Slasher films//Coraline//The Last Of Us//Spawn//Umbrella Academy//Akira//Little Nightmares//Call of Duty//Dead By Daylight//DND//The Mandalorian//JJK//Spiderverse//

♡♡♡: Halloween//Comics//Character design//Comedy//Really old books//Video games//Clowns//Apocalypses//Drinks served in jars//Looking at concept art//Horror//

AHH, USER BOXES (is that what you call them)

Follow my best friend, DO IT, NOW @stars-on-my-bedroom-ceiling

Red Moodboard on the right made byYYAAAH

@sotiredimbored

AND THANK YOU TO MY MUTUALS <3

@stars-on-my-bedroom-ceiling

@justsomeinsanehuman

@tequilaqueen

@sotiredimbored

@vivusmortuusexcrucior

@eef-stars

@kunikisss

@cheekyboybeth

@saintrequlus

@mythfairy

@glorioustrashcheesecake

@fluffynightravenart

@thestrawberryapologist

@omelettejunkie

@enbysiriusblack

@rins-batcave

@demigod-jack-hearth

@shrxe

@crowofthestars

@pearl-div3r

[jcmarchi]

“They can see themselves shaping the world they live in”

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/they-can-see-themselves-shaping-the-world-they-live-in/

“They can see themselves shaping the world they live in”

During the journey from the suburbs to the city, the tree canopy often dwindles down as skyscrapers rise up. A group of New England Innovation Academy students wondered why that is.

“Our friend Victoria noticed that where we live in Marlborough there are lots of trees in our own backyards. But if you drive just 30 minutes to Boston, there are almost no trees,” said high school junior Ileana Fournier. “We were struck by that duality.”

This inspired Fournier and her classmates Victoria Leeth and Jessie Magenyi to prototype a mobile app that illustrates Massachusetts deforestation trends for Day of AI, a free, hands-on curriculum developed by the MIT Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (RAISE) initiative, headquartered in the MIT Media Lab and in collaboration with the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing and MIT Open Learning. They were among a group of 20 students from New England Innovation Academy who shared their projects during the 2024 Day of AI global celebration hosted with the Museum of Science.

The Day of AI curriculum introduces K-12 students to artificial intelligence. Now in its third year, Day of AI enables students to improve their communities and collaborate on larger global challenges using AI. Fournier, Leeth, and Magenyi’s TreeSavers app falls under the Telling Climate Stories with Data module, one of four new climate-change-focused lessons.

“We want you to be able to express yourselves creatively to use AI to solve problems with critical-thinking skills,” Cynthia Breazeal, director of MIT RAISE, dean for digital learning at MIT Open Learning, and professor of media arts and sciences, said during this year’s Day of AI global celebration at the Museum of Science. “We want you to have an ethical and responsible way to think about this really powerful, cool, and exciting technology.”

Moving from understanding to action

Day of AI invites students to examine the intersection of AI and various disciplines, such as history, civics, computer science, math, and climate change. With the curriculum available year-round, more than 10,000 educators across 114 countries have brought Day of AI activities to their classrooms and homes.

The curriculum gives students the agency to evaluate local issues and invent meaningful solutions. “We’re thinking about how to create tools that will allow kids to have direct access to data and have a personal connection that intersects with their lived experiences,” Robert Parks, curriculum developer at MIT RAISE, said at the Day of AI global celebration.

Before this year, first-year Jeremie Kwampo said he knew very little about AI. “I was very intrigued,” he said. “I started to experiment with ChatGPT to see how it reacts. How close can I get this to human emotion? What is AI’s knowledge compared to a human’s knowledge?”

In addition to helping students spark an interest in AI literacy, teachers around the world have told MIT RAISE that they want to use data science lessons to engage students in conversations about climate change. Therefore, Day of AI’s new hands-on projects use weather and climate change to show students why it’s important to develop a critical understanding of dataset design and collection when observing the world around them.

“There is a lag between cause and effect in everyday lives,” said Parks. “Our goal is to demystify that, and allow kids to access data so they can see a long view of things.”

Tools like MIT App Inventor — which allows anyone to create a mobile application — help students make sense of what they can learn from data. Fournier, Leeth, and Magenyi programmed TreeSavers in App Inventor to chart regional deforestation rates across Massachusetts, identify ongoing trends through statistical models, and predict environmental impact. The students put that “long view” of climate change into practice when developing TreeSavers’ interactive maps. Users can toggle between Massachusetts’s current tree cover, historical data, and future high-risk areas.

Although AI provides fast answers, it doesn’t necessarily offer equitable solutions, said David Sittenfeld, director of the Center for the Environment at the Museum of Science. The Day of AI curriculum asks students to make decisions on sourcing data, ensuring unbiased data, and thinking responsibly about how findings could be used.

“There’s an ethical concern about tracking people’s data,” said Ethan Jorda, a New England Innovation Academy student. His group used open-source data to program an app that helps users track and reduce their carbon footprint.

Christine Cunningham, senior vice president of STEM Learning at the Museum of Science, believes students are prepared to use AI responsibly to make the world a better place. “They can see themselves shaping the world they live in,” said Cunningham. “Moving through from understanding to action, kids will never look at a bridge or a piece of plastic lying on the ground in the same way again.”

Deepening collaboration on earth and beyond

The 2024 Day of AI speakers emphasized collaborative problem solving at the local, national, and global levels.

“Through different ideas and different perspectives, we’re going to get better solutions,” said Cunningham. “How do we start young enough that every child has a chance to both understand the world around them but also to move toward shaping the future?”

Presenters from MIT, the Museum of Science, and NASA approached this question with a common goal — expanding STEM education to learners of all ages and backgrounds.

“We have been delighted to collaborate with the MIT RAISE team to bring this year’s Day of AI celebration to the Museum of Science,” says Meg Rosenburg, manager of operations at the Museum of Science Centers for Public Science Learning. “This opportunity to highlight the new climate modules for the curriculum not only perfectly aligns with the museum’s goals to focus on climate and active hope throughout our Year of the Earthshot initiative, but it has also allowed us to bring our teams together and grow a relationship that we are very excited to build upon in the future.”

Rachel Connolly, systems integration and analysis lead for NASA’s Science Activation Program, showed the power of collaboration with the example of how human comprehension of Saturn’s appearance has evolved. From Galileo’s early telescope to the Cassini space probe, modern imaging of Saturn represents 400 years of science, technology, and math working together to further knowledge.

“Technologies, and the engineers who built them, advance the questions we’re able to ask and therefore what we’re able to understand,” said Connolly, research scientist at MIT Media Lab.

New England Innovation Academy students saw an opportunity for collaboration a little closer to home. Emmett Buck-Thompson, Jeff Cheng, and Max Hunt envisioned a social media app to connect volunteers with local charities. Their project was inspired by Buck-Thompson’s father’s difficulties finding volunteering opportunities, Hunt’s role as the president of the school’s Community Impact Club, and Cheng’s aspiration to reduce screen time for social media users. Using MIT App Inventor, ​their combined ideas led to a prototype with the potential to make a real-world impact in their community.

The Day of AI curriculum teaches the mechanics of AI, ethical considerations and responsible uses, and interdisciplinary applications for different fields. It also empowers students to become creative problem solvers and engaged citizens in their communities and online. From supporting volunteer efforts to encouraging action for the state’s forests to tackling the global challenge of climate change, today’s students are becoming tomorrow’s leaders with Day of AI.

“We want to empower you to know that this is a tool you can use to make your community better, to help people around you with this technology,” said Breazeal.

Other Day of AI speakers included Tim Ritchie, president of the Museum of Science; Michael Lawrence Evans, program director of the Boston Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics; Dava Newman, director of the MIT Media Lab; and Natalie Lao, executive director of the App Inventor Foundation.

[sunaleisocial]

“They can see themselves shaping the world they live in”

New Post has been published on https://sunalei.org/news/they-can-see-themselves-shaping-the-world-they-live-in/

“They can see themselves shaping the world they live in”

During the journey from the suburbs to the city, the tree canopy often dwindles down as skyscrapers rise up. A group of New England Innovation Academy students wondered why that is.

“Our friend Victoria noticed that where we live in Marlborough there are lots of trees in our own backyards. But if you drive just 30 minutes to Boston, there are almost no trees,” said high school junior Ileana Fournier. “We were struck by that duality.”

This inspired Fournier and her classmates Victoria Leeth and Jessie Magenyi to prototype a mobile app that illustrates Massachusetts deforestation trends for Day of AI, a free, hands-on curriculum developed by the MIT Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (RAISE) initiative, headquartered in the MIT Media Lab and in collaboration with the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing and MIT Open Learning. They were among a group of 20 students from New England Innovation Academy who shared their projects during the 2024 Day of AI global celebration hosted with the Museum of Science.

The Day of AI curriculum introduces K-12 students to artificial intelligence. Now in its third year, Day of AI enables students to improve their communities and collaborate on larger global challenges using AI. Fournier, Leeth, and Magenyi’s TreeSavers app falls under the Telling Climate Stories with Data module, one of four new climate-change-focused lessons.

“We want you to be able to express yourselves creatively to use AI to solve problems with critical-thinking skills,” Cynthia Breazeal, director of MIT RAISE, dean for digital learning at MIT Open Learning, and professor of media arts and sciences, said during this year’s Day of AI global celebration at the Museum of Science. “We want you to have an ethical and responsible way to think about this really powerful, cool, and exciting technology.”

Moving from understanding to action

Day of AI invites students to examine the intersection of AI and various disciplines, such as history, civics, computer science, math, and climate change. With the curriculum available year-round, more than 10,000 educators across 114 countries have brought Day of AI activities to their classrooms and homes.

The curriculum gives students the agency to evaluate local issues and invent meaningful solutions. “We’re thinking about how to create tools that will allow kids to have direct access to data and have a personal connection that intersects with their lived experiences,” Robert Parks, curriculum developer at MIT RAISE, said at the Day of AI global celebration.

Before this year, first-year Jeremie Kwampo said he knew very little about AI. “I was very intrigued,” he said. “I started to experiment with ChatGPT to see how it reacts. How close can I get this to human emotion? What is AI’s knowledge compared to a human’s knowledge?”

In addition to helping students spark an interest in AI literacy, teachers around the world have told MIT RAISE that they want to use data science lessons to engage students in conversations about climate change. Therefore, Day of AI’s new hands-on projects use weather and climate change to show students why it’s important to develop a critical understanding of dataset design and collection when observing the world around them.

“There is a lag between cause and effect in everyday lives,” said Parks. “Our goal is to demystify that, and allow kids to access data so they can see a long view of things.”

Tools like MIT App Inventor — which allows anyone to create a mobile application — help students make sense of what they can learn from data. Fournier, Leeth, and Magenyi programmed TreeSavers in App Inventor to chart regional deforestation rates across Massachusetts, identify ongoing trends through statistical models, and predict environmental impact. The students put that “long view” of climate change into practice when developing TreeSavers’ interactive maps. Users can toggle between Massachusetts’s current tree cover, historical data, and future high-risk areas.

Although AI provides fast answers, it doesn’t necessarily offer equitable solutions, said David Sittenfeld, director of the Center for the Environment at the Museum of Science. The Day of AI curriculum asks students to make decisions on sourcing data, ensuring unbiased data, and thinking responsibly about how findings could be used.

“There’s an ethical concern about tracking people’s data,” said Ethan Jorda, a New England Innovation Academy student. His group used open-source data to program an app that helps users track and reduce their carbon footprint.

Christine Cunningham, senior vice president of STEM Learning at the Museum of Science, believes students are prepared to use AI responsibly to make the world a better place. “They can see themselves shaping the world they live in,” said Cunningham. “Moving through from understanding to action, kids will never look at a bridge or a piece of plastic lying on the ground in the same way again.”

Deepening collaboration on earth and beyond

The 2024 Day of AI speakers emphasized collaborative problem solving at the local, national, and global levels.

“Through different ideas and different perspectives, we’re going to get better solutions,” said Cunningham. “How do we start young enough that every child has a chance to both understand the world around them but also to move toward shaping the future?”

Presenters from MIT, the Museum of Science, and NASA approached this question with a common goal — expanding STEM education to learners of all ages and backgrounds.

“We have been delighted to collaborate with the MIT RAISE team to bring this year’s Day of AI celebration to the Museum of Science,” says Meg Rosenburg, manager of operations at the Museum of Science Centers for Public Science Learning. “This opportunity to highlight the new climate modules for the curriculum not only perfectly aligns with the museum’s goals to focus on climate and active hope throughout our Year of the Earthshot initiative, but it has also allowed us to bring our teams together and grow a relationship that we are very excited to build upon in the future.”

Rachel Connolly, systems integration and analysis lead for NASA’s Science Activation Program, showed the power of collaboration with the example of how human comprehension of Saturn’s appearance has evolved. From Galileo’s early telescope to the Cassini space probe, modern imaging of Saturn represents 400 years of science, technology, and math working together to further knowledge.

“Technologies, and the engineers who built them, advance the questions we’re able to ask and therefore what we’re able to understand,” said Connolly, research scientist at MIT Media Lab.

New England Innovation Academy students saw an opportunity for collaboration a little closer to home. Emmett Buck-Thompson, Jeff Cheng, and Max Hunt envisioned a social media app to connect volunteers with local charities. Their project was inspired by Buck-Thompson’s father’s difficulties finding volunteering opportunities, Hunt’s role as the president of the school’s Community Impact Club, and Cheng’s aspiration to reduce screen time for social media users. Using MIT App Inventor, ​their combined ideas led to a prototype with the potential to make a real-world impact in their community.

The Day of AI curriculum teaches the mechanics of AI, ethical considerations and responsible uses, and interdisciplinary applications for different fields. It also empowers students to become creative problem solvers and engaged citizens in their communities and online. From supporting volunteer efforts to encouraging action for the state’s forests to tackling the global challenge of climate change, today’s students are becoming tomorrow’s leaders with Day of AI.

“We want to empower you to know that this is a tool you can use to make your community better, to help people around you with this technology,” said Breazeal.

Other Day of AI speakers included Tim Ritchie, president of the Museum of Science; Michael Lawrence Evans, program director of the Boston Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics; Dava Newman, director of the MIT Media Lab; and Natalie Lao, executive director of the App Inventor Foundation.

[dennistamayo]

1 channel down, 1 to go

Through the years, Cartoon Network Studios produced original shows for both Cartoon Network & its late night block Adult Swim respectively. Soon when I started working animation in Los Angeles County, California, Cartoon Network Studios will produce original shows for Boomerang sometime early 2025. Since 2015, Warner Bros. Animation produced original shows for Boomerang such as New Looney Tunes & the Wacky Races reboot. After the premiere of the third & final season of the Animaniacs reboot on Hulu 6 months ago, none of the Boomerang original shows were produced by Cartoon Network Studios. That will have to change when I come to the studio at the new & current Second Century building in Burbank, California to produced a Cartoon Network crossover show by mixing characters from the past Cartoon Network original shows that I watched as a kid & designing new characters for it, & the art style I use will be inspired by Genndy Tartakovsky, Craig McCracken, Chris Savino & more. A Cartoon Network crossover show will possibly be not only on Boomerang in the United States, but a Max original (formerly HBO Max) in mid 2025. Also, Cartoon Network Studios will produce shorts based on Dexter’s Laboratory late next year. In addition to the proposed shorts with Dexter & his annoying sister Dee Dee, Mee Mee & Lee Lee will have shorts of their own making it the first Dexter’s Lab spin-off. The shorts I’ll wrote at Cartoon Network Studios will premiere on Cartoon Network, Boomerang & Amazon Prime Video late next year, after the release of the 3rd & final digital soundtrack album to the Animaniacs reboot by WaterTower Music. & then, Cartoon Network Studios will produce direct-to-video films which will be released on DVD & Blu-ray between early 2025 & late 2026. Cartoon Network Studios always made television films based on shows since 1999, although Warner Bros. released The Powerpuff Girls Movie in theaters back in 2002. When Michael Ouweleen’s once again in charge of Cartoon Network & Sam Register’s now the Cartoon Network Studios president since 3 years ago, I’ll be sure J. G. Quintel won’t be involved in my projects ether. By the way, my future projects will have the current aspect ratio of 16:9 (1.78:1) & 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound (only used for streaming). Before I write scripts & designing new characters at Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank, California, I’ll make student animated short films at the Animation Academy in the same location which will be released during & after the Japanese premieres of new episodes & shows of American TV cartoons that premiered in the United States 2 years ago & during & after the release of the 3rd & final digital soundtrack album to the Animaniacs reboot by WaterTower Music next month, this October or November. After the end of the 30th anniversary of Animaniacs, Dexter & Dee Dee will soon be better than Pinky & the Brain. To me, The Powerpuff Girls (1998 TV series), Codename: Kids Next Door & Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends are the only Cartoon Network original shows on Boomerang in the United States as of now. Some classic Cartoon Network shows like Juniper Lee in its uncropped 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio (1.78:1) should air on Boomerang this fall, as well as My Gym Partner’s a Monkey. Both Cartoon Network & Boomerang are owned by the Cartoon Network Group of Warner Bros. Discovery Networks U.S., a division of Warner Bros. Discovery. By the way, the 22 minute mark for animated shows will be better than the 11 minute mark.

[dancingnotes]

Kids Holiday Programs Perth

Kids holiday programs perth are a great way to keep kids entertained and active. They also help develop skills like teamwork and leadership. These programs are suitable for kids aged 4-12 years and parents can claim Child Care Benefit.

Get the kids coding these holidays with Code Camp. They will learn to build websites and robots while having fun and making friends.

Bounce

Designed to encourage kids to be active and learn. Kids can get coached by professional sports coaches in a fun and safe environment. The week long programs are open to kids 5-7 years and 8 – 16 years.

Get your kids away from the screen with this interactive coding and creative workshop for all ages! Kids will have a great time and will walk away with something they can be proud of.

Let your kids grow their creative confidence with these two day workshops at Milk Tooth. The workshops are small ensuring that each child gets the attention they need.

Perth Academy of Performing Arts

Kids from Kindy to Year 6 can learn how to make junk sculptures and other fun art projects with Fiona, a qualified Visual Arts teacher. For older kids, the program includes watercolour painting and Powertex – a flexible, mouldable medium that lets them create textured works of art.

Forget the screens and get kids moving their bodies with these hip hop workshops for kids 3-17 years. They encourage social skills and cultural awareness, plus build confidence and make new friends.

Perth School of Rock

Kids can hone their creativity these kids holiday programs perth with a painting and art clinic. These classes are fun and interactive and designed to fuel children’s imaginations. The workshops are ever changing so there’s always something new to try.

Despite Dewey’s gloomy state of mind, at the Battle of the Bands School of Rock wows the crowd with Zack’s song. Although their old rivals No Vacancy win, the crowd chants their name and requests an encore. The show is a joyous blast of defiant analog vitality in a manufactured digital world.

Perth Zoo

Kids can spend the whole day at Perth Zoo with its exotic animals, parklands and range of holiday programs for kids. They can learn how to be a Zoo Keeper or Vet, meet native Australian animals and more.

Get your kids coding and building these holidays with STEM experts Edgy X. They’ll love blasting off into the universe and making friends in a fun and engaging way.

The zoo is home to more than 170 animal species and has many family-friendly activities for all ages.

Outback Splash

Outback Splash is a world class waterpark located in Bullsbrook, only 30 minutes from Perth. It features 4 giant waterslides, including two exhilarating raft slides and WA’s fastest body slide! There’s also a water playground, splashpad and tipping bucket.

Kids will enjoy the year-round attractions at this family friendly venue, which include mini golf, mazes, a children’s playground and Australian animal experiences. You can also watch New Release movies under the stars at Perth’s only drive in cinema.

John Forrest National Park

Kids will be sure to love the new Nature Play Space at John Forrest National Park. Located near the main picnic area, it’s nestled amongst advanced native trees and beside Jane Brook. The kids will love exploring, splashing in puddles and getting their hands dirty!

Get sport loving kids off their screens with these great holiday programs. These three day intensive programs are run by professional coaches and allow kids to hone their skills. Kids can choose from soccer, netball, rugby league and basketball.

Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre

Herdsman Lake Regional Park is a wetlands park with a lake, picnic areas, playgrounds and kilometres of walking paths. It’s home to water birds and native vegetation and is a great place for birdwatching.

The park’s Discovery Centre is managed by the WA Gould League and offers family suitable activities such as bird walks, information nights, night stalks and wildlife excursions. It also hosts events and talks.

The Herdsman Lake Discovery Centre also hosts a Nature Playgroup. This program aims to get kids active while building their connection with nature and is a great idea for a school holiday activity.

RSPCA

Become a zookeeper for the day at Perth Zoo with this fun holiday program. This one day program is perfect for kids who want to learn more about the animals and conservation.

Get your kids creativity flowing with a range of craft, painting and sculpting classes. These holiday programs are run by experienced teachers who help children develop their creativity and make new friends.

Sports loving kids will love Australia’s largest outdoor mini golf course. Play in a garden setting at one of four locations.

[automaticvr]

Introducing the Shoemakers Academy: Your Gateway to Mastering the Art of Shoemaking  https://ift.tt/Oh7keaj Hey there, shoe enthusiasts and aspiring shoemakers from every corner of the globe! Wade Motawi, a.k.a. "The Shoe Dog," is here to rock your world. Back in 2004, fueled by a burning passion for shoemaking, I birthed The Sneaker Factory.net���a virtual haven for budding shoemakers like yourself. Fast forward to today, after years of refining our craft, honing our expertise, and serving the shoe-loving community worldwide, we proudly present to you the Shoemakers Academy.com—a game-changing platform that's about to revolutionize your shoemaking journey. What can you expect from the Shoemakers Academy, you ask? Prepare to have your mind blown! We've assembled a powerhouse team armed with decades of hands-on experience in the shoe trades. We've scoured the globe to bring you an unrivaled selection of online courses, textbooks, and supplies meticulously designed for shoemakers of all skill levels. Whether you're an eager beginner, a seasoned pro looking to level up, or an inquisitive soul craving knowledge, we've got you covered. At the Shoemakers Academy, we're not just another faceless entity. We're a vibrant community of passionate shoemakers, dedicated to fostering growth, creativity, and camaraderie. Our virtual doors are flung open wide, ready to welcome you into a supportive network of like-minded individuals who eat, breathe, and dream shoes. Connect, collaborate, and learn from fellow shoemakers who share your burning desire to create masterpieces that will grace the feet of the world. But wait, there's more! Our commitment to your success goes beyond the digital realm. We offer professional coaching and guidance from industry experts who've walked the path you're treading. They'll share invaluable insights, tips, and tricks of the trade, propelling you towards shoemaking greatness. So, my friends, whether you're yearning to craft sneakers that defy gravity, or dreaming of elegant, timeless footwear that leaves jaws dropping, the Shoemakers Academy.com is your ultimate destination. Together, we'll unlock the secrets of shoemaking mastery, turning your aspirations into tangible reality. Welcome to the Shoemakers Academy, where your shoe-making odyssey begins. Lace up, buckle in, and let's make magic happen. It's time to step into a world of endless possibilities.

[designaday]

Rest in Peace, Chief

I just got word that a true legend, Phil Faini, passed away Wednesday, June 7. You can read about Phil’s illustrious career in this news release from West Virginia University. I’m going to tell you what Phil meant to me.

When I was attending Fairmont Senior High School, band was my favorite thing. Yes, I enjoyed marching band, but more than that, we had a percussion ensemble. This was a class that I and the rest of my fellow percussionists took. The rest of the band members took concert band, but concert band is relatively boring for percussionists. There’s not a lot for us to do. Our parts are relatively simple with a lot of rests, and most of the time is spent working the wind instruments. Not all high schools have percussion ensembles, but my band director, Barry Vingle, was a percussionist. He received his Master’s degree at West Virginia University in 1976 where he learned from Phil Faini.

One of my close high school friends, Todd Caldwell, invited me to attend a WVU Percussion Ensemble concert, and I was mesmerized. It wasn’t just a concert—it was a tour de force of music, african dance, and theatrical presentation. The staging and lighting were as impactful as the performance. The theater was packed. I returned year after year, never missing a concert and purchasing the recordings on cassette. I’ve digitized those and cherish them. Phil Faini knew how to put on a show, and his enthusiasm was infectious. I told myself that one day, I was going to perform in one of those concerts.

My high school percussion ensemble played several pieces that Phil Faini composed or arranged. We played his arrangement of El Cumbanchero—probably my favorite piece to play on marimba—his arrangement of Sleigh Ride, and his composition Highlife. We were learning Highlife my junior year, and Mr. Vingle invited Phil Faini to work with us for a day, and then direct us in the concert. It was an amazing experience, and I remember Phil telling the audience afterward that we performed the piece better than a lot of college ensembles.

The summer after my junior year, I was accepted into the prestigious Governor’s Honors Academy for which I stayed at WVU for a month with the top students from every county in the state. It was a life-forming experience. It’s where I met my wife. It’s where I got to learn from Phil Faini every day in a world percussion class where we played African drums and steel drums. He introduced us to Ellie Manette, the inventor of the steel drum. Like his college students, we came to call Phil “Chief,” an honorific he picked up from his study of African percussion. During my senior year, all of us GHA students were invited to perform with the WVU percussion ensemble, Percussion 90, at The Greenbrier, a luxurious resort in southern WV. These experiences cemented my desire to attend WVU.

And so I did. Now, I wasn’t a music major, but I joined the Mountaineer Marching Band where I continued to learn from the masters students that I got to know during GHA. Then Phil Faini became Dean of the College of Creative Arts, and my Graphic Design class interacted with him as we designed a new logo for the school. Oh, and remember the goal I had set for myself years before? When I reached my senior year of college, I decided I had some room in my schedule and signed up for the freshman percussion ensemble. I took that class in the fall semester knowing that come December, I would be part of the WVU Percussion Concert. I performed one piece with the freshman ensemble—a comical piece where we all started playing a line of snares and eventually moved to a base drum in the center that we circled in a little rhythmic game, leaving the drum when we were “out”—and then performed in the finale, which was inspired by STOMP! Phil Faini’s concerts always had a finale that brought all of the various ensembles together for a big finish. Life goal achieved.

Then I went on with my life. I graduated, got married, went on to grad school, and started a career. The concert that I performed in was the last WVU percussion concert I attended while Phil Faini was at the school. When my daughter became a percussionist, I decided to take her to a concert to show her what a percussion ensemble was. I was disappointed. It was a small concert, poorly attended. There was no flair, no drama. Phil Faini was retired, and apparently the current faculty didn’t have his vision or energy. But there was a little old man sitting two rows in front of us. I made a point to approach him after the concert. I re-introduced myself—he didn’t remember me—and then I introduced my daughter. He smiled and nodded and said something polite. I didn’t expect him to remember me, but I felt compelled to let him see just a little bit of the legacy he passed down.

Now I play drums every week in a worship band, and my daughter is in college studying music therapy.

Thank you, Chief.

I encourage you to take some time to watch this video. It’s the only one I could find on YouTube. This is Phil Faini and Percussion 90 in their prime. This performance was in 92, the same year I graduated high school. My percussion instructor from my senior year, Dave Ross, and my drum line instructors from college, Jamie Eckert, and Rob Sigler, are all performing.

[mi4011vihangarathnapala]

Assignment 02

Mike Scott

Character Moosebox created within the rough sketches from a waiters pad actually bought from a print shop in South Africa. Alexi Wheeler from Nickelodeon saw the sketch and taught it is funny to see a box like cat. surprisingly he was added to one of the program giving him opportunities to show his talent and made the pilot through Triggerfish Studio.

A Dogshow with Cat

The show was created eventually within a short period of time to replace "Bru and Bogie" in a premiere league soccer event. Even on DisneyXD the pilot was played catching so many eyes on DisneyXD youtube channel. unfortunately it had been deleted by the team at this moment. Now its uploaded on his youtube channel as his work.

"Catlyn" and "Doggie Poggie" play the main roles in this short show. Mike, Flake, Todd, Tina, El Diablo, Peep and Monster Survey's Big Toe are the sub characters created in the main show.

Steve Box

The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Stop-motion animation created using plasticine (clay animation)in forty-two different colors. Steve Box and Nick Park collaborated with DreamWorks Animation and Aardman Animation to make it a go. They needed the animation to be comedic, dramatic while having a horror feeling.

A small part of the frame to be filmed took around two hours and more. other than clay wood, foam board, latex were used. The evil characters made by an wire armature to make the structure and movements to look more realistic. It was quite challenge to create the were-rabbit in the scene. The most challenging part for the team to create the scenario which Wallace transformed into the were-rabbit. The slightest sound effects and other are studio recoded. This movie was known as the first vegetarian horror film in the world.

on the other hand the movie contain more than seven hundred shots with CGI and digital effects.

Sally Cruikshank

Fun of Mars

Quasi at the Quackadero

This is a hand-drawn animation, the artist drew every single frame of this animation by her hands with the help off a light-box. Sally Cruiksank used cell animation and cut-out animation for her animations. Various material like glitter, beads, water colors, acrylic and color pencils were used to bring color to her artwork. In her imaginative world her surrealistic designs were showcased as her own style.

Don Hertzfeldt

Simpsons

His most famous piece work put together which was created for commercials for the Family Learning Channel was named as "Rejected" However it was no a go and went on it as a solo art. tha name was originated because they were rejections of companies. Best part is they were nominated for Academy Awards.

Surreal, Dark humor, cult theme animations was kind of his style of expressing art.

Don Hertzfeldt animated a scene on Simpson where simpson was chilling and trying to watch television on his couch and that moment he shifted to another unrealistic world.

Yuri Norstein

Tales of Tales

Russian animator Yuri Norstein works for Soyuzmultfilm the state-r un animation studio in Moscow. His major was creating stop-motion animation idealizing philosophical, detailed, clamming films.

Hedgehog in the fog short film shows up in his way to meet a friend different things, challenges and situations that comes in his way. this film gives a feeling of off track feeling.

when he walk towards a dark forest and after the end of the forest a owl comes behind him giving creepy vibes. Traveling through a huge mist shows he is kind of lost in that place and catch his eyes on different things that shows fear and excitement at once.

[eliteprepsat]

WHAT RISING 9TH GRADERS SHOULD DO DURING THE SUMMER TO PREPARE FOR HIGH SCHOOL

Preparing for the first year of high school can feel overwhelming, but starting in the summer can help ease the transition. Here are some practical steps to get rising ninth graders ready for this exciting new chapter.

1. Strengthen Academic Skills

High school will build on what you’ve learned in middle school, so it’s crucial to have a strong foundation. In ninth grade, students typically take biology, world history, and algebra or geometry. Use the summer to brush up on subjects where you feel less confident or preview subjects that are new to you. There are plenty of online resources, such as Khan Academy, that offer free courses in various subjects. If working with a live instructor or tutor is better for you, then enroll in a preview class at Elite Prep.

2. Read Regularly

Reading is one of the best ways to improve your comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. Furthermore, reading skills are important to many high school subjects, including history, science, and (of course) English language arts. Choose a mix of fiction and non-fiction books to expand your horizons – doing so will not only prepare you academically but also make you a more engaged learner. Check our Recommended Summer Reading List for Ninth Graders.

3. Get Involved in Extracurricular Activities

Explore extracurricular activities that interest you. High schools offer a variety of clubs, sports, and organizations. Summer is a great time to try new things and discover what you’re passionate about. Whether it’s joining a sports team, learning a musical instrument, or volunteering in your community, these activities will help you develop new skills and make new friends.

Furthermore, if you plan to participate in particular extracurricular activities in high school, consider using your summer time to prepare and hone your abilities (e.g., work on past exams for Science Olympiad and math competitions, practice your skills for a sport like basketball and track and field, and learn to code for robotics or website design).

4. Learn Time Management

High school will demand better time management skills than middle school. Start practicing now by setting a schedule for your summer activities. Include time for study, hobbies, and relaxation. Learning to balance these activities will prepare you for the busy high school schedule. Try techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for 25 minutes followed by a 5-minute break.

5. Understand High School Expectations

Familiarize yourself with what will be expected of you in high school. Attend any orientation sessions offered by your high school and read through the student handbook. Knowing the school’s rules, dress code, and academic policies will help you adjust more quickly. Talk to older students or siblings about their experiences to get a sense of what to expect.

6. Set Goals

Setting goals can give you a sense of direction and purpose. Think about what you want to achieve in your first year of high school. These could be academic goals, such as maintaining a certain GPA, or personal goals, like joining a club or making new friends. Write down your goals and revisit them regularly to track your progress.

7. Get Organized

High school comes with more responsibilities and a heavier workload. Start by organizing your study space and materials. Create a filing system for your schoolwork and important documents. Invest in a planner or use a digital calendar to keep track of assignments, extracurricular activities, and important dates. Being organized from the start will help you manage your time effectively.

8. Develop Good Study Habits

High school courses will be more challenging, so developing good study habits now will pay off later. Find out what study methods work best for you. Some students prefer studying alone in a quiet environment, while others do better in study groups. Try different techniques like summarizing information, using flashcards, or teaching what you’ve learned to someone else.

Starting high school is a significant milestone, and preparing over the summer can make a big difference. By strengthening your academic skills, reading regularly, getting involved in extracurricular activities, managing your time, understanding high school expectations, setting goals, getting organized, and developing good study habits, you’ll be well-prepared to start high school with confidence and enthusiasm. Enjoy your summer and look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead!