Philosophy

The Greengineers Philosophy:
Greengineering is a new term. Right now my spell check wants me to change it to either "bioengineering, engineering,or greengrocery." Maybe it will be added to the dictionary at some point. But that is not important now. What is important now is saving the world. An apt definition for a "greengineer" is "the new kind of superhero." Greengineering is about saving the planet, finding solutions to problems in a manner that is in harmony with nature, and being more efficient. It is all the aspects of engineering, economics and more combined with the drive to be greener.
In our think-tank at Newton North High School, we stop being students and transcend the common standards of a "class." I see my peers become outstanding and fierce businessmen and women, they become BioDiesel manufacturers who smile at the sight and smell of grease; above all, everyone steps up to become professionals who make the choices we should have made a long time ago.
The greengineers have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win. "GREENGINEERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!
The Greengineering program at Newton North High puts into practice several overlapping practices, all of which emphasize values of community, collaboration, and real-world, meaningful projects.
Design Thinking, popularized by the Stanford Hasso Plattner Institute of Design( The 'D' School), is a design and prototyping process which embodies a philosophy of user-centered design . Design thinking guides the user through a process of empathy, develeoping a deep understanding of the user's needs; problem definition, ideating possible solutions, and finally rapid protyping, feedback, and modification. A successful design team requires a wide range of knowledge and experience from various disciplines. In the context of product development, the design team should include a competent engineer and technologist.
Makerspaces are workshops with an emphasis on creativity and community in which students can learn, experiment with new tools, develop skills, collaborate, and become innovators and designers. A successful makerspace requires access to tools and materials, tutors with expertise and time, and a sense of community.
Project-based learning (PBL) is a student-centered pedagogy that involves a dynamic classroom approach in which it is believed that students acquire a deeper knowledge through active exploration of real-world challenges and problems.[1] Students learn about a subject by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to a complex question, challenge, or problem.[2] It is a style of active learning and inquiry-based learning( Wikipedia)
Open Portfolios are " an opportunity for students to curate their work, evolve their identities, and find a voice within their social communities. Having an online presence is an opportunity to build an aesthetic, contribute work to share with the greater world, access a genuine audience, even build a brand. These perspectives allow youth to step beyond the classroom — into their communities and the greater world — and see that their work is important outside a grade or a teacher’s judgment...." MakerEd, A Guide to Open Portfolios.
Greengineering is a new term. Right now my spell check wants me to change it to either "bioengineering, engineering,or greengrocery." Maybe it will be added to the dictionary at some point. But that is not important now. What is important now is saving the world. An apt definition for a "greengineer" is "the new kind of superhero." Greengineering is about saving the planet, finding solutions to problems in a manner that is in harmony with nature, and being more efficient. It is all the aspects of engineering, economics and more combined with the drive to be greener.
In our think-tank at Newton North High School, we stop being students and transcend the common standards of a "class." I see my peers become outstanding and fierce businessmen and women, they become BioDiesel manufacturers who smile at the sight and smell of grease; above all, everyone steps up to become professionals who make the choices we should have made a long time ago.
The greengineers have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win. "GREENGINEERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!
The Greengineering program at Newton North High puts into practice several overlapping practices, all of which emphasize values of community, collaboration, and real-world, meaningful projects.
Design Thinking, popularized by the Stanford Hasso Plattner Institute of Design( The 'D' School), is a design and prototyping process which embodies a philosophy of user-centered design . Design thinking guides the user through a process of empathy, develeoping a deep understanding of the user's needs; problem definition, ideating possible solutions, and finally rapid protyping, feedback, and modification. A successful design team requires a wide range of knowledge and experience from various disciplines. In the context of product development, the design team should include a competent engineer and technologist.
Makerspaces are workshops with an emphasis on creativity and community in which students can learn, experiment with new tools, develop skills, collaborate, and become innovators and designers. A successful makerspace requires access to tools and materials, tutors with expertise and time, and a sense of community.
Project-based learning (PBL) is a student-centered pedagogy that involves a dynamic classroom approach in which it is believed that students acquire a deeper knowledge through active exploration of real-world challenges and problems.[1] Students learn about a subject by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to a complex question, challenge, or problem.[2] It is a style of active learning and inquiry-based learning( Wikipedia)
Open Portfolios are " an opportunity for students to curate their work, evolve their identities, and find a voice within their social communities. Having an online presence is an opportunity to build an aesthetic, contribute work to share with the greater world, access a genuine audience, even build a brand. These perspectives allow youth to step beyond the classroom — into their communities and the greater world — and see that their work is important outside a grade or a teacher’s judgment...." MakerEd, A Guide to Open Portfolios.