Institute Showcase Presented by Students

La Cañada High School's cafeteria was transformed into an exhibit hall last Thursday afternoon as the students from 15 Institutes for the 21st Century and internships, along with their professional mentors, show-cased their projects to other students, parents, school staff and community members.

Students representing the architect, astronomy, business entrepreneur, law, cancer research, journalism, rain forest and the Bridges science elementary school teaching institutes, as well as the internships with the Trails Council, La Cañada and Crescenta Valley Pet Clinics, La Cañada Valley Sun, Verdugo Vista Convalescent Hospital and legislative offices.

Participants viewed the exhibits and ask the students questions, which was followed by formal presentations from each group.

Students in the architect institute worked with Chiao Clerkin and designed a home for Mrs. Tran, of La Cañada Flintridge, a real client of the architectural firm of Clerkin and Clerkin.

Lucas Chang chose to do a commercial design, and designed a NASA Moon Base, which his friends Brian Lim and Jay Li thought looked realistic.

Kris Swick said, "We really learned how to design in the architect institute."

The astronomy mentor Stephen Edberg, from Jet Propulsion Laboratory, assisted by student Ram Menon, had a telescope set up for participants to view.

"The convalescent hospital intership taught me a lot about conventional medicine and is a step toward working in the medical field for me," said Nicolette Dennes.

Students in the cancer institute studied breast, prostrate, lymphoma and AIDs.

"I am interested in a career in medicine and through the cancer institute I got professional viewpoints," said Carla Gharibian.

Although it sounded like a task out of Donald Trump's Apprentice reality television show, the business institute had a brand extension project, taking a successful company and creating a another product. Some students took the BMW company and developed a line of perfumes for women and colognes for men bearing the BMW logo. Other students took the success of Boeing and expanded it to trains.

Emma Davis in the Trails Council internship, produced a public service video about the community's trails.

Parent Melanie Liu said, "I am impressed with all of the students' work, as well as the big turnout."

Students in Karen Stattler's culinary arts classes made the refreshments.