This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
About My Students
Our students are a diverse set of forward thinking young women, with an interest in history, Spanish, and STEM. They are inquisitive, have great leadership skills, positive attitudes, and are ready to take charge. As a Title I school, many of our students come from low-income households and this project is a great opportunity for them to see the world and how it works. This project means a lot to them since they will also be able to personalize it and put their own perspective on their project.
Our project is designed as an interdisciplinary and experiential learning course about Cuba focusing through three lenses. For our STEM focus, students will be able to look at real world data and analyze their findings in order to solve real-world problems. Through a history lens, students will practice analyzing the implications of historical relationships to the present. Students will also practice their Spanish speaking skills and learn about Cuban culture. As a team, students are fundraising for the trip as well as supporting each other’s inquiry projects. Through our travel, students will develop empathy for other people in different societies.
Throughout the school year, our students will investigate Cuba through the topics of their choice via synchronous and asynchronous means, then design their own projects.
In Their Own Words
We are a group of students with a diverse set of questions about Cuba and its relationship with the world. Below you will find one of our project ideas and goals from Kai and Jaiye.
Recently, we had a conversation about the people of Cuba; due to the embargo put upon Cuba by the United States, Cuba has thus become isolated from our lives and education. We don’t know much about the people, culture, the music, the clothing or the food. Instead, we only know the superficial aspects. However, there’s so much more! Cuba is a land of lively, colorful people enriched with multitudes of culture and I think it would be great to showcase the lives of those who have been closed off from us for years. This is why we came up with the idea of a “Humans of Cuba” book, similarly to the famous “Humans of New York” book.
To make this work, we will have to bring a camera with us during the trip. We have a wonderful digital video/photography program at our school that allows us to have access to a lot of great cameras and equipment. With the permission of our Digital Video teacher, we can borrow some equipment to take the portraits of the Cuban people. Kai who is fluent in Spanish can conduct the interviews and record, while Jaiye who has been a part of the Digital program, can take the portraits as well as edit and take lead as creative director. When we arrive back to Philadelphia, we can then continue with editing our book and forming the layout of the book and finish with publishing.
This project will help with dispelling the stereotypes of Cuba with hopefully making people aware of the many similarities that we as American and people over the world, share with Cuban people. People are more than stereotypes, and it will be our duty to enlighten that and to connect with the people and the culture to get an idea of how the people are.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Jonas and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
