SVA and Solar One Make Space for Creative High School Students
SVA is partnering with Solar One to support NYC high school students creatively address the climate crisis.
The School of Visual Arts is partnering with environmental non-profit Solar One to offer a free college-level course for New York area public high school students that focuses on the climate crisis. The climate crisis is considered by most citizens and just about all scientists to be the biggest threat humanity has ever faced. And yet, there are many who see climate change as only a possibility that may or may not affect them in the distant future. Although it’s not always clearly visible, New Yorkers are already being impacted by the changing climate in many ways. This course will explore storytelling, voice-over, and animation, and students will work in teams to produce animated videos that will be presented at the SVA Theatre on Monday, September 21, 2020 to kick off United Nations Climate Week.
Students who are 14-18 years of age and currently enrolled in a New York area public high school are invited to apply. Accepted students will receive a $200 stipend, lunch and a MetroCard for travel expenses. Additionally, students will earn three undergraduate college credits and a letter grade for the successful completion of this course. Classes will be held on Sundays, 10am–4pm, March 15–June 14 (March 15, 22, 29 | April 5, 19, 26 | May 3, 17, 31 | June 7, 14).
Application deadline is March 2, 2020.
This course will help students to understand how the climate crisis is already affecting their lives and will allow students to craft an animated story around their own personal connection to the climate crisis. Storytelling is imperative to spreading the message that climate change is relevant, urgent and is a real crisis. All the science and data in the world cannot affect or influence people as much as a personal story can.
Solar One Green Design Lab students building solar panels.
At the start of the course, students learn about the science behind climate change and the associated impacts. Then they learn about storytelling and are guided through a process that helps them bring their story to life so that it can have the fullest possible impact. Next, students will work with SVA faculty to animate their story. Students will explore storytelling, voice-over, and animation, and will work in teams to produce animated videos that will be presented at the SVA Theatre on Monday, September 21, 2020 to kick off United Nations Climate Week.
SVA students drawing in SVA Animation Studio.
Students who are 14-18 years of age and currently enrolled in a NYC public high school are invited to apply. Accepted students will receive a $200 stipend, lunch and a MetroCard for travel expenses. Additionally, students will earn three undergraduate college credits and a letter grade for the successful completion of this course.