News Summary
Huntington Beach High School has introduced the BaD program, which combines business and design principles to engage students through practical learning experiences. This program allows students to explore innovation across multiple subjects while working on real-world projects, including a clothing line sold at Jack’s Surfboards. Director Nick Schwab’s initiative aims to transform education by incorporating project-based learning, fostering essential skills in creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking, preparing students for future success.
Huntington Beach – Huntington Beach High School (HBHS) has launched a new and innovative program known as BaD, short for Business and Design. This program is designed to engage students by allowing them to explore innovation, design thinking, and entrepreneurship across different subjects like U.S. history and algebra. The curriculum includes experiential learning opportunities that enable students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings.
Students participating in the BaD program have access to a state-of-the-art studio where they can produce podcasts, as well as facilities for creating videos and photos on campus. A key feature of the program is its integration of real-world business experiences, which includes working in collaboration with professional designers. One notable project involved students creating a clothing line that was subsequently sold at Jack’s Surfboards, demonstrating the program’s focus on real-life application of skills.
The initiative was developed by Nick Schwab, a teacher at HBHS who transitioned from teaching history and social sciences to photography in 2012. Schwab began his career at HBHS by establishing a photography and digital design program that has successfully generated $100,000 in revenue over the past year, funding scholarships and purchasing new equipment.
The primary aim of the BaD program is to engage students who thrive in a hands-on, project-based learning environment. It incorporates various subjects, including math, in innovative learning methods to maintain student interest and participation. Foundational skills are primarily introduced during the students’ junior year, while seniors have the opportunity to develop and pitch their individual business ideas, thereby honing their entrepreneurial skills.
Approximately 200 students have participated in the BaD program since its inception. Feedback from students, parents, and local businesses has been overwhelmingly positive, signaling strong community support for the initiative. The collaboration with Jack’s Surfboards has been praised as a valuable way to show students how business works in a real-world setting, as students were involved in digitally creating shirt designs that received approval for sale.
Moreover, the program emphasizes essential skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. The enhancement of these skills positions students for future success in various endeavors, including higher education and their eventual careers. The program seeks to transform traditional perceptions of school, making education more enjoyable and meaningful.
While the BaD program is not yet classified as a fully-fledged Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway, it aims to connect various courses and foster interdisciplinary learning. The initiative is focused on inspiring enthusiasm among students by emphasizing real-world applications of their studies. The positive experiences shared by participants like senior Sami Scot highlight the program’s effectiveness in shifting focus from traditional classroom learning to application-based education that resonates more with students’ interests and goals.
As the BaD program continues to evolve, its dedication to nurturing creativity and business acumen among students remains evident. By integrating innovative teaching practices and community collaboration, HBHS aims to equip students with the skills necessary for success in an increasingly complex world.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Huntington Beach High Program
- Wikipedia: Huntington Beach
- Sports Illustrated: National High School Baseball Rankings
- Google Search: Huntington Beach High School
- KTLA: Orange County High School QR Code Requirement
- Google Scholar: Huntington Beach High School
- ABC7: Plane Crash Honors Teen Soccer Player
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Huntington Beach
- OC Sports Zone: Athletic Director Visit
- Google News: Huntington Beach High School Program
