CCB News
Whether it’s architecture, or economics and government, the Hernández Garrido sisters have proved to be yet another pair of outstanding alumni. Camila and Verónica Hernández Garrido, class of 2014 and 2017, respectively, have multiple achievements regarding their professional careers and are a clear example of our GreenBeat talent.
Camila Hérnandez, class of 2014, pursued an economics and political science degree at Georgetown University, after graduating from the CCB. She currently works at a Thinktank (a policy institute) called the Atlantic Council, leading every project involving Colombia and acts as a magnificent representative of our country, which, as she mentioned, is her main goal.
“I always knew, since I was in high school, that I wanted to work for Colombia and to help the prosperity of my country, so I went into this field of work in international relations.”
Camila has made fantastic achievements in the Atlantic Council, which have been fundamental for her professional growth. She mentioned she is constantly in meetings with important politicians from the US, and has done an amazing job running events to inform policy makers, and different US and Colombian audiences, about how to strengthen the US - Colombia relationship.
“The fact that I've been able to coordinate high level events, including several with president Duque, and the vice president, makes me happy and humble to have this opportunity.”
Meanwhile, Verónica Hernández, class of 2017, is about to complete her undergraduate degree in architecture at Carnegie Mellon University, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Verónica, like her sister, recognizes the importance of working for Colombia and being a representation of our country and its people.
“I will always work towards being a true representation of Colombia’s hard work and of the marvelous country we have. Hopefully, I wish that I get involved in projects that can potentially help my country develop.”
Verónica was the honorable recipient of the Stewart L. Brown Memorial Award, accredited by the American Institute of Architects, which recognizes professional promise in terms of attitudes and scholastic achievements. This award was granted to Veronica, along with the amount of 9000 USD. She mentioned that, during the process of this award, her patriotic sense was more present than ever.
“Even when I won the award, that’s what I really emphasized; being from Colombia, and wanting to work to help countries like mine develop through architecture.”
Both sisters stood out in what has come of the year, and have left not only Colombia’s name in the highest standards, but the CCB’s as well! The Hernández Garrido sisters described the CCB in very heart-warming terms. The youngest described it as “home” and said the following:
“I think whenever I see pictures or I go back home to Cali, I always want to visit the CCB. It’s one of the places that saw me grow and develop into the person I am today."
Camila, on the other hand, described the CCB as a “family” and said that everywhere you go, you will always be part of the CCB family.
“It’s a huge network of great and amazing people doing amazing things all over the world. So, family would be the word for me.”
Discipline, open-mindedness, critical thinking and thinking outside the box, are some of the tools both sisters mentioned that the CCB gave them for their daily use. The Hernández Garrido sisters are really grateful to the CCB and the CCB family is very proud to have two magnificent representatives in the United States, working for our country and raising our school’s name to the highest standards. We wish them the best of luck in their professional careers and we let them know that at the Alumni Association they’re always going to find a helping hand.
In a joint effort, the third grade Spanish teacher, Angélica Henao, the third grade CTRS (group directors), Andrea Díaz, Óscar González, Andrew Macdonald, Emma Mullin and the Primary IT Coordinator Jonathan Wallis, have managed to get the third grade students to carry out two digital projects of great scope and with excellent results: "Fantastic Writers" and a series of Podcasts.
Fantastic Writers
Fantastic Writers began to take shape in the PYP unit "How the world works", which included the whole production process of a book: creation of the idea, writing, rewriting, layout, selection of typography, illustrations and publication.
Always with the accompaniment of the teacher, Angélica, who sought at all times to awaken in her students a passion for writing. In each of the stories you can see the imagination and originality of our third graders.
"The children, no matter what grade they are in, always have something to say and we have to give importance to that. Writing always reflects something of who is writing, their world, their life and their story," said Angélica.
Once the writing phase was finished and under the recommendation of the IT Coordinator, Jonathan Wallis, they began to work with the Book Creator platform. The stories were published on this platform, and the students themselves did the layout and illustration work.
"Knowing that Angélica was going to do such a polished writing communication project, it was perfect to merge this project with technology. With this platform we understood that we were going to create a real product and this is the ingredient that the kids love, because it becomes a passion and not a chore," said Mr. Wallis.
Link digital library:
https://sites.google.com/ccbcali.edu.co/grado-3-biblioteca-digital/home
CCB Podcasts
In the “Sharing the planet” unit of inquiry, which deals with conflicts, human rights and duties with an emphasis on children's rights, the teacher, Angélica, wanted to give special attention to the voice of her students, as she believes they have a lot to say. This is how the podcast project came about, which seeks to raise awareness about the environment and how to care for it.
"The most important thing with the podcasts is that the children have been able to use their own voice, their own feelings, to reach real audiences and ask for their help. I am absolutely proud that children of 8 and 9 years old are becoming aware of a global issue, it is something extraordinary," said Angélica.
How to give children a voice? In the search for a tool that would allow children to express themselves on environmental issues, a very innovative idea emerged: podcasts. The IT Coordinator, Jonathan Wallis, lent his expertise to teach the children about the advantages of this format.
"Podcasts are growing a lot and give the possibility to transcend. For me it is very interesting to work in this format for several reasons, but primarily because listening to the voice of a child talking seriously about something important is powerful. Colombia is very much a radio country and podcasts are the new era." said Mr. Wallis.
Due to the excellent results obtained by these two initiatives, the teachers Jonathan and Angélica were invited to the programme "Los colegios cuentan" on Javeriana Estéreo, directed by professor and journalist Jose Luis Valderrama Paredes and produced by the students of social communication and journalism of the Universidad Javeriana. They will be talking about the details of these projects. In addition, representing the CCB will also be the rector Mr Reeves and four students who will tell us about their experiences participating in these initiatives.
We would like to congratulate each of the teachers who participated in this beautiful process, the children who put all their love and effort into it. It fills us with joy to see all the talent they have, the whole CCB community is proud.
Link to podcasts
https://sites.google.com/ccbcali.edu.co/podcastsdegrado3/home?authuser=0
The seventh grade graphic design students culminated the school year, working under the methodology of the design cycle aimed at solving problems or needs. This course resulted in 44 projects, full of innovation.
Normally there is always an exhibition of these projects showing the work done throughout the year, but due to the contingency and other inconveniences, the teacher María Fernanda Valencia wanted to show the projects virtually. She was very pleased with the work done, highlighting the attitude of the students.
"The students did the best they could in such difficult circumstances. Getting them to get to this point is quite something, especially because the design process starts at the same time but is very different for each one, individuality in design is very important. " Maria Fernanda told us.
The methodology used in the MYP design in grade 7 is based on the design cycle, where students have to go through the whole process of developing an idea to solve a specific problem. The course is based on following the process phase by phase, so that the kids have a clear path to follow. First, they look for a need, then they look at different solutions, develop the idea, come up with a 3D product that is built and evaluated to complete the process.
One of the most common difficulties was coping with classes from home. This was the focus of Juana Cadavid's problem, who devised a portable desk to work more comfortably.
"Having the product at the end was very satisfying, I enjoyed building the project. Several times I had to rethink the idea because the mechanisms didn't work, but I was able to find solutions," Juana told us.
Other challenges were encountered in the daily life of the students. One of them, for example, was faced by Juan Diego Knobelsdorf, who was unable to reach the high shelves in his house, a problem he solved with his Chair-Staircase.
"It was a success, I use it every day. I really enjoyed building it, it was difficult but I always hoped it would work," Juan Diego told us about his project.
We would like to congratulate, on behalf of teacher Maria Fernanda and the whole CCB Community, each of the students who participated in the graphic design class this year. Their work was excellent.
