Student Webpage Links and Project Descriptions
C Block
Jackson B.
For my project I will explore the impact of water and its frequent scarcity on the formation of California This project will focus on the effect of water availability on Californian political decisions, population dispersion throughout the state, and agricultural and infrastructure development. Through the exploration of numerous secondary sources and primary sources from throughout the state's history, I will attempt to compile a comprehensive data set on this highly relevant issue and present this data in an easily digestible format . Considering our state's present water shortages due to several years of drought, I am creating this website in an effort to inform my fellow Californians of the historical and presnt importance of this finite resource.
Veronica C.
San Francisco is home to one of the largest and most well-known gay communities not only in the United States, but also around the world. This Californian city has seen some of the most important moments in the history of gay activism. It has played (and continues to play) a leading role in the fight for equal rights for members of the gay community. While gay activism is still very alive in the city today, the most notable and dramatic social change occurred during the 1960s and 1970s. The Castro District, as well as some regions of the Haight-Ashbury area, remain the centers of this San Franciscan community today.
My website explores the history of the prominent gay community in San Francisco (the "G" in LGBT) and how that community came to be one of the largest in the world. The purpose of my website is middle school/high school social justice education. It provides ideas for teachers who would like to teach about the origins of gay activism, which is still a key branch of the LGBT Equal Rights Movement as a whole.
Asha F.
I have decided to study controversial new religious movements in an effort to not only research these organizations in a historical manner, but also to gain a deeper understanding of them from a sociological and psychological standpoint. I think by merely labeling groups as “crazy” or “stupid,” we discredit the larger impact they have on society. Preconceived notions about the nature of an organization often prevent people from taking the time to truly understand the beliefs, structures, and challenges of new religious movements. My website is an attempt to understand what compels people to join new religious movements, what are some signals that a new religious movements is dangerous, and how a new religious movement actually functions. The website will present the sources and my analysis based on the information, so that people have a trustworthy resource to learn about new religious movements in a largely unbiased manner.
Matthew G.
My project will be focusing on California during the civil war. The civil war is one of the most defining, and talked about pieces of American History. However, because it was on the opposite coast, California is often left out from this discussion. California was not immune to this war however, with gold, resources, and men being sent East, as well as forts being built on the West. And California, being the size it is, had it’s own internal tensions at the time, with a combination of Southerners and Northerners populating the new state. The gold rush was over, California was beginning to define itself, and America it’s largest internal struggle of all time. We will try to explore the evolution of California, and it’s connections with the Civil war. We will look at how both California changed the civil war, and the civil war changed California. California may not have been at the forefront of the fighting, but the effects were wide felt, and the difference widespread.
Tim I.
All Americans, whether extremely wealthy, well to do, middle class, or even poor, go out to eat once in a while. Though we might take restaurants for granted as a simple mechanism of everyday life, the explosive popularity and normalization of restaurants is actually quite phenomenal. I want to explore, focusing mainly on San Francisco's gastronomical legacy, what the modern restaurant represents in terms of American culture, socio-economic status, and commercialization in general. Through interviewing owners of legacy restaurants, studying old menus, and even researching the large food distribution firm that my own ancestors owned and operated, I hope to find out what the then-burgeoning restaurant might tell us about the overall narrative of American (and Californian) social development.
Niyati N.
Although within a single state, the culture and atmosphere of Northern California vs Southern California differs immensely. Perhaps the only similarity between the two, is the amount of pride the people within each region express for their respective zone. My research and project work to find an explanation for the glaring differences that have created two states within California. I have chosen to explore the differences between the demographics, art/culture scenes, and industries of NorCal and SoCal. The combination of these three elements will allow readers to draw their own explanation as to why the two regions differ so immensely and where they would feel more at home.
Fleming P.
The purpose of this website is to document how Hollywood has changed by comparing the 1920s and 1960s. Through close examinations of topics including political influences, film techniques, popular genres, and the effects of censorship, I attempt to discuss how outside factors had major impacts on the film industry, and how what Hollywood produced affected audiences from around the country and beyond. I look closely at the decades individually in order to provide the reader with important defining features of films from each respective decade, and then include a page where different aspects are compared side-by-side in order to get a holistic view. Throughout history, the media has had a profound effect on people, so how did movies from the 1920s and 1960s differ or share facets in response to external factors?
Danny P.
My website, Californios and Annexation/Californios y Anexión, is an exploration of the experience of Spanish-speaking, Hispanic inhabitants of Alta California as it was passed from Mexico to the United States after the Mexican-American War. The primary focus of the website will be translating and analyzing Spanish-language memoirs and documents from the era to create a highly-focused academic database and set of analyses for specialized university or high-level high school research. Additionally, I will use secondary sources to create an overview of the period and the experience of Californios and contextualize the documents. The website will be offered in both English and Spanish.
Yumeto S.
In this site, I aim to discuss the rich and diverse history of the sport of mountain biking, as seen from the perspective of a student, Bay Area native, and avid rider. The mountain biking scene in the Bay Area has made and continues to make significant contributions to the Californian wildlife and ecosystem, as well as the distinct Bay Area culture. I aim to uncover the origins of these movements, as well as shed light on the many California natives and organizations that have developed mountain biking into a distinct sport and culture. I also possibly will post interviews with key individuals in the history of mountain biking, as well as the mountain biking industry. Furthermore, this site is tailored to cater to the needs of the average joe who does not have any exposure to the sport of mountain biking, to the history nut who likes to pour over primary sources.
Alex U.
The purpose of this website is to document and detail the history and culture of football in California through a collection of primary and secondary sources. Since the 1950s, football has grown and flourished in California with top programs at the high school, collegiate, and professional level. I plan to track the growth and development of these programs from their inception to the present day, where football remains as an important part of California culture. From the Stanford Cardinal to the San Diego Chargers, I plan to record and analyze the history of football in California, as well as the changes in culture that football has inspired.
Jackson B.
For my project I will explore the impact of water and its frequent scarcity on the formation of California This project will focus on the effect of water availability on Californian political decisions, population dispersion throughout the state, and agricultural and infrastructure development. Through the exploration of numerous secondary sources and primary sources from throughout the state's history, I will attempt to compile a comprehensive data set on this highly relevant issue and present this data in an easily digestible format . Considering our state's present water shortages due to several years of drought, I am creating this website in an effort to inform my fellow Californians of the historical and presnt importance of this finite resource.
Veronica C.
San Francisco is home to one of the largest and most well-known gay communities not only in the United States, but also around the world. This Californian city has seen some of the most important moments in the history of gay activism. It has played (and continues to play) a leading role in the fight for equal rights for members of the gay community. While gay activism is still very alive in the city today, the most notable and dramatic social change occurred during the 1960s and 1970s. The Castro District, as well as some regions of the Haight-Ashbury area, remain the centers of this San Franciscan community today.
My website explores the history of the prominent gay community in San Francisco (the "G" in LGBT) and how that community came to be one of the largest in the world. The purpose of my website is middle school/high school social justice education. It provides ideas for teachers who would like to teach about the origins of gay activism, which is still a key branch of the LGBT Equal Rights Movement as a whole.
Asha F.
I have decided to study controversial new religious movements in an effort to not only research these organizations in a historical manner, but also to gain a deeper understanding of them from a sociological and psychological standpoint. I think by merely labeling groups as “crazy” or “stupid,” we discredit the larger impact they have on society. Preconceived notions about the nature of an organization often prevent people from taking the time to truly understand the beliefs, structures, and challenges of new religious movements. My website is an attempt to understand what compels people to join new religious movements, what are some signals that a new religious movements is dangerous, and how a new religious movement actually functions. The website will present the sources and my analysis based on the information, so that people have a trustworthy resource to learn about new religious movements in a largely unbiased manner.
Matthew G.
My project will be focusing on California during the civil war. The civil war is one of the most defining, and talked about pieces of American History. However, because it was on the opposite coast, California is often left out from this discussion. California was not immune to this war however, with gold, resources, and men being sent East, as well as forts being built on the West. And California, being the size it is, had it’s own internal tensions at the time, with a combination of Southerners and Northerners populating the new state. The gold rush was over, California was beginning to define itself, and America it’s largest internal struggle of all time. We will try to explore the evolution of California, and it’s connections with the Civil war. We will look at how both California changed the civil war, and the civil war changed California. California may not have been at the forefront of the fighting, but the effects were wide felt, and the difference widespread.
Tim I.
All Americans, whether extremely wealthy, well to do, middle class, or even poor, go out to eat once in a while. Though we might take restaurants for granted as a simple mechanism of everyday life, the explosive popularity and normalization of restaurants is actually quite phenomenal. I want to explore, focusing mainly on San Francisco's gastronomical legacy, what the modern restaurant represents in terms of American culture, socio-economic status, and commercialization in general. Through interviewing owners of legacy restaurants, studying old menus, and even researching the large food distribution firm that my own ancestors owned and operated, I hope to find out what the then-burgeoning restaurant might tell us about the overall narrative of American (and Californian) social development.
Niyati N.
Although within a single state, the culture and atmosphere of Northern California vs Southern California differs immensely. Perhaps the only similarity between the two, is the amount of pride the people within each region express for their respective zone. My research and project work to find an explanation for the glaring differences that have created two states within California. I have chosen to explore the differences between the demographics, art/culture scenes, and industries of NorCal and SoCal. The combination of these three elements will allow readers to draw their own explanation as to why the two regions differ so immensely and where they would feel more at home.
Fleming P.
The purpose of this website is to document how Hollywood has changed by comparing the 1920s and 1960s. Through close examinations of topics including political influences, film techniques, popular genres, and the effects of censorship, I attempt to discuss how outside factors had major impacts on the film industry, and how what Hollywood produced affected audiences from around the country and beyond. I look closely at the decades individually in order to provide the reader with important defining features of films from each respective decade, and then include a page where different aspects are compared side-by-side in order to get a holistic view. Throughout history, the media has had a profound effect on people, so how did movies from the 1920s and 1960s differ or share facets in response to external factors?
Danny P.
My website, Californios and Annexation/Californios y Anexión, is an exploration of the experience of Spanish-speaking, Hispanic inhabitants of Alta California as it was passed from Mexico to the United States after the Mexican-American War. The primary focus of the website will be translating and analyzing Spanish-language memoirs and documents from the era to create a highly-focused academic database and set of analyses for specialized university or high-level high school research. Additionally, I will use secondary sources to create an overview of the period and the experience of Californios and contextualize the documents. The website will be offered in both English and Spanish.
Yumeto S.
In this site, I aim to discuss the rich and diverse history of the sport of mountain biking, as seen from the perspective of a student, Bay Area native, and avid rider. The mountain biking scene in the Bay Area has made and continues to make significant contributions to the Californian wildlife and ecosystem, as well as the distinct Bay Area culture. I aim to uncover the origins of these movements, as well as shed light on the many California natives and organizations that have developed mountain biking into a distinct sport and culture. I also possibly will post interviews with key individuals in the history of mountain biking, as well as the mountain biking industry. Furthermore, this site is tailored to cater to the needs of the average joe who does not have any exposure to the sport of mountain biking, to the history nut who likes to pour over primary sources.
Alex U.
The purpose of this website is to document and detail the history and culture of football in California through a collection of primary and secondary sources. Since the 1950s, football has grown and flourished in California with top programs at the high school, collegiate, and professional level. I plan to track the growth and development of these programs from their inception to the present day, where football remains as an important part of California culture. From the Stanford Cardinal to the San Diego Chargers, I plan to record and analyze the history of football in California, as well as the changes in culture that football has inspired.
E Block
Becky B.
This website will serve as an academic resource, providing awareness for high school students and above to learn about California’s history with mental illness, and its unfortunate experiences with eugenics, or “the science of improving a human population by controlled breeding to increase the occurrence of desirable heritable characteristics” (Oxford American Dictionary). The site gives context of California’s legislature and stigmas that surrounded mental illness throughout the twentieth century, much of which culminated in segregation and unjust treatment. California was home to one-third of all forced or coerced, sterilizations in the United States justified by eugenics, totaling over 20,000 people. This website provides understanding and insight into California’s mental health history, and its connection to topics from the eugenics movement through World War II.
Zach C.
During the 1900s, many waves of immigrants were coming to the United States. However, two distant cultures––Punjabis and Mexicans––came together in the Sacramento area to create one unique one. At first glance, it seems unlikely that the two cultures would form such a strong bond––they do not share a common language or religion, and are on completely different sides of the globe. Yet somehow, the community has endured through today, with descendants still living in the Sacramento area. This site aims to explore how the descendants of this singular community identify today, how strongly they feel toward their roots, how each culture influences the other, among many more questions of identity and heritage.
Geli D.
Due to its geographical riches and potential for political power, California was the battleground of constant territorial turnovers. Native Americans, Spanish missionaries and conquistadores, Mexicans, and Americans all strove to plant their stakes in California, each believing they had the sole privilege to claim California for their own. My hypothesis is that all who conquered California felt individually entitled to it over other groups for reasons of birthright, racial superiority, religious calling, imperial order, or otherwise. While covering the chronological power transitions (indigenous, Spanish, Mexican, American), I will use sources from multiple ethnic viewpoints in order to test this theory and explore the thinking behind each group's adamant desire to fight for control of California. Moreover, I plan to integrate the importance of language in illustrating these viewpoints in order to analyze the power of perspective in shaping international conflict. Above all, I hope to demonstrate the impact of Spanish roots on California's present (and future) for language students interested in Spanish-California Culture.
Julianne F.
In my project, I am hoping to provide information about how I learned about my heritage, and offer a resource for other Chinese Americans to refer to as a starting point on their own quest. The three main sections of my site are ‘My Family History,’ ‘Historical Journey through San Francisco,’ and ‘Cultural Impacts of Immigration’. The main focus of the site is in ‘My Family History,’ which is a record of my discoveries about my ancestors and genealogy, with links to the resources I used, allowing visitors of the site to follow along on my journey or use to help them begin a search for their own history. In ‘Historical Journey through San Francisco,’ I will visit important landmarks in the overall story of Chinese immigration, in order to provide modern day connections to our history and past. Lastly, in ‘Cultural Impacts of Immigration,’ I will delve into the relevance of discovering and understanding one’s family history, by offering information about how Chinese immigration has impacted the culture of San Francisco and the Bay Area today.
Kenia F.
My project is trying to analyze the legacy of the 1960s Chicano Movements in the everyday lives of Mexican Americans today. In the 1960s, the Chicano movement presented itself as one united front fighting for Brown Power and equal rights. However, today, the Mexican American population is largely fragmented, especially between "norteños" in Northern California and "sureños" in Southern California. This fragmentation is reflected in music, local food and culture, gang violence and even the way each group defines themselves. Norteños tend to define themselves as Chicanos, born in English speaking families, while Sureños tend to define themselves as Mexican Americans, born in Spanish speaking families. I hope to analyze how the 1960s Chicano movement was able to splinter and what this fracture means for the Chicano/Mexican-American population in California today.
Katie G.
My website explores the glamorous veneer that masked the dark undertones of Hollywood for actresses in the 1950s and 60s, and the consequences of that veneer. Specifically, I am looking into fashion, drugs, and case studies from that time period and location. For a special project, I hope to interview Roberta Olden, the personal assistant to Ginger Rogers and occasional filmographer, to add a primary account of the real going-ons (such as fierce competition between rival film companies and actresses, drugs, and how the image of the female celebrity propagated not only into fashion but also all across America) in Hollywood during the 50s and the 60s.
In doing so, I hope to connect the Hollywood of the 1950s and 60s to the Hollywood of today, exposing the corrupting and long-lasting influences of competition, drugs, and other dark actions that affect the women in a place that has and still is considered a pinnacle of American society, as well as the misguided aspirational pursuits of many Americans to imitate these actresses.
Brian H.
My website will examine the evolution of mental health care in California and compare it with that of the U.S as a whole. I will examine the different laws and NGO’s responsible for creating change in mental health care, along with interviews and primary source recounts of the mental health system in California. Finally, I would like to examine the public perception of mental illness in California and how it relates to the rest of the U.S. California has gone through many changes in the last six decades, including their treatment of mental illness, the public perception of mental health, and the government role in mental health care. California has been both a flagship for proper U.S mental health care, and a disappointment in our handling of mental health care.I would like to find key moments that define California’s mental health care system, for better or for worse.
Ben L.
After hearing about the untold stories of racial violence against Mexicans in California in class, I became inspired to investigate the motives and culture that engendered these lynchings. I will explore the rationale behind these killings and why, as a society, we cover them up, yet expose racial violence in the South. During the time of the Gold Rush, vigilante violence was not limited to outlaws, but mostly targeted Mexicans. I will analyze why this vigilantism occurred and what caused us to portray this so-called “frontier justice” as largely targeting cowboys. Furthermore, I will investigate the role that the Mexican-American War played into the rampant culture of lynching in California and the American West. These stories might be largely untold, but uncovering them and understanding their legacy and how it impacts our culture today will help us progress as a society.
Hannah M.
"Defining Silicon Valley" contains a collection of sources, both primary and secondary, and it attempts to assign a clear meaning to the concept of Silicon Valley. Since people around the world are very aware of the influence of the Silicon Valley on their daily lives, it is interesting to look into what Silicon Valley represents for the state of California. For some, Silicon Valley is more familiar than San Francisco (but not Hollywood). The purpose of the website is to serve as a history of the community or region that is Silicon Valley, and to serve as a compilation of primary sources from the very recent conception of "the Valley."
Shasta R.
The intent of this website is to chart the rise of Physics research in California during the post-War period. More specifically, I seek to investigate the role that Ernest O Lawrence held in the experimental research of the time. In analyzing this period, I seek to focus on the personal factors that made such advancements possible; after all, it was Lawrence’s social abilities, rather than his intellectual abilities, that brought him success. However, it is not enough merely to suggest that Lawrence’s leadership was his main characteristic; rather, I seek to use historical cues to reveal exactly why a person such as Lawrence was successful in this time period. Ultimately, I have found that in order to make physics successful in this post-War environment, Lawrence had to make physics increasingly open.
Stephanie R.
When discontented miners gave up on the gold fields, they turned to farming. California farmers experienced far more success than their southern counterparts, and the state’s economy was stronger than ever before. Today, not much has changed. Agriculture is still an enormous industry in California, and in 2004, the state’s agriculture sales exceeded 30 billion, making it more than twice the size of any other state’s agriculture industry. However, agriculture is not the only industry California is known for: the state is also home to silicon valley—a home to countless of the world’s largest technology corporations and start-up companies. In my project, I will explore how California has managed to excel in both agriculture and technology; two fields entirely different from each other.
Becky B.
This website will serve as an academic resource, providing awareness for high school students and above to learn about California’s history with mental illness, and its unfortunate experiences with eugenics, or “the science of improving a human population by controlled breeding to increase the occurrence of desirable heritable characteristics” (Oxford American Dictionary). The site gives context of California’s legislature and stigmas that surrounded mental illness throughout the twentieth century, much of which culminated in segregation and unjust treatment. California was home to one-third of all forced or coerced, sterilizations in the United States justified by eugenics, totaling over 20,000 people. This website provides understanding and insight into California’s mental health history, and its connection to topics from the eugenics movement through World War II.
Zach C.
During the 1900s, many waves of immigrants were coming to the United States. However, two distant cultures––Punjabis and Mexicans––came together in the Sacramento area to create one unique one. At first glance, it seems unlikely that the two cultures would form such a strong bond––they do not share a common language or religion, and are on completely different sides of the globe. Yet somehow, the community has endured through today, with descendants still living in the Sacramento area. This site aims to explore how the descendants of this singular community identify today, how strongly they feel toward their roots, how each culture influences the other, among many more questions of identity and heritage.
Geli D.
Due to its geographical riches and potential for political power, California was the battleground of constant territorial turnovers. Native Americans, Spanish missionaries and conquistadores, Mexicans, and Americans all strove to plant their stakes in California, each believing they had the sole privilege to claim California for their own. My hypothesis is that all who conquered California felt individually entitled to it over other groups for reasons of birthright, racial superiority, religious calling, imperial order, or otherwise. While covering the chronological power transitions (indigenous, Spanish, Mexican, American), I will use sources from multiple ethnic viewpoints in order to test this theory and explore the thinking behind each group's adamant desire to fight for control of California. Moreover, I plan to integrate the importance of language in illustrating these viewpoints in order to analyze the power of perspective in shaping international conflict. Above all, I hope to demonstrate the impact of Spanish roots on California's present (and future) for language students interested in Spanish-California Culture.
Julianne F.
In my project, I am hoping to provide information about how I learned about my heritage, and offer a resource for other Chinese Americans to refer to as a starting point on their own quest. The three main sections of my site are ‘My Family History,’ ‘Historical Journey through San Francisco,’ and ‘Cultural Impacts of Immigration’. The main focus of the site is in ‘My Family History,’ which is a record of my discoveries about my ancestors and genealogy, with links to the resources I used, allowing visitors of the site to follow along on my journey or use to help them begin a search for their own history. In ‘Historical Journey through San Francisco,’ I will visit important landmarks in the overall story of Chinese immigration, in order to provide modern day connections to our history and past. Lastly, in ‘Cultural Impacts of Immigration,’ I will delve into the relevance of discovering and understanding one’s family history, by offering information about how Chinese immigration has impacted the culture of San Francisco and the Bay Area today.
Kenia F.
My project is trying to analyze the legacy of the 1960s Chicano Movements in the everyday lives of Mexican Americans today. In the 1960s, the Chicano movement presented itself as one united front fighting for Brown Power and equal rights. However, today, the Mexican American population is largely fragmented, especially between "norteños" in Northern California and "sureños" in Southern California. This fragmentation is reflected in music, local food and culture, gang violence and even the way each group defines themselves. Norteños tend to define themselves as Chicanos, born in English speaking families, while Sureños tend to define themselves as Mexican Americans, born in Spanish speaking families. I hope to analyze how the 1960s Chicano movement was able to splinter and what this fracture means for the Chicano/Mexican-American population in California today.
Katie G.
My website explores the glamorous veneer that masked the dark undertones of Hollywood for actresses in the 1950s and 60s, and the consequences of that veneer. Specifically, I am looking into fashion, drugs, and case studies from that time period and location. For a special project, I hope to interview Roberta Olden, the personal assistant to Ginger Rogers and occasional filmographer, to add a primary account of the real going-ons (such as fierce competition between rival film companies and actresses, drugs, and how the image of the female celebrity propagated not only into fashion but also all across America) in Hollywood during the 50s and the 60s.
In doing so, I hope to connect the Hollywood of the 1950s and 60s to the Hollywood of today, exposing the corrupting and long-lasting influences of competition, drugs, and other dark actions that affect the women in a place that has and still is considered a pinnacle of American society, as well as the misguided aspirational pursuits of many Americans to imitate these actresses.
Brian H.
My website will examine the evolution of mental health care in California and compare it with that of the U.S as a whole. I will examine the different laws and NGO’s responsible for creating change in mental health care, along with interviews and primary source recounts of the mental health system in California. Finally, I would like to examine the public perception of mental illness in California and how it relates to the rest of the U.S. California has gone through many changes in the last six decades, including their treatment of mental illness, the public perception of mental health, and the government role in mental health care. California has been both a flagship for proper U.S mental health care, and a disappointment in our handling of mental health care.I would like to find key moments that define California’s mental health care system, for better or for worse.
Ben L.
After hearing about the untold stories of racial violence against Mexicans in California in class, I became inspired to investigate the motives and culture that engendered these lynchings. I will explore the rationale behind these killings and why, as a society, we cover them up, yet expose racial violence in the South. During the time of the Gold Rush, vigilante violence was not limited to outlaws, but mostly targeted Mexicans. I will analyze why this vigilantism occurred and what caused us to portray this so-called “frontier justice” as largely targeting cowboys. Furthermore, I will investigate the role that the Mexican-American War played into the rampant culture of lynching in California and the American West. These stories might be largely untold, but uncovering them and understanding their legacy and how it impacts our culture today will help us progress as a society.
Hannah M.
"Defining Silicon Valley" contains a collection of sources, both primary and secondary, and it attempts to assign a clear meaning to the concept of Silicon Valley. Since people around the world are very aware of the influence of the Silicon Valley on their daily lives, it is interesting to look into what Silicon Valley represents for the state of California. For some, Silicon Valley is more familiar than San Francisco (but not Hollywood). The purpose of the website is to serve as a history of the community or region that is Silicon Valley, and to serve as a compilation of primary sources from the very recent conception of "the Valley."
Shasta R.
The intent of this website is to chart the rise of Physics research in California during the post-War period. More specifically, I seek to investigate the role that Ernest O Lawrence held in the experimental research of the time. In analyzing this period, I seek to focus on the personal factors that made such advancements possible; after all, it was Lawrence’s social abilities, rather than his intellectual abilities, that brought him success. However, it is not enough merely to suggest that Lawrence’s leadership was his main characteristic; rather, I seek to use historical cues to reveal exactly why a person such as Lawrence was successful in this time period. Ultimately, I have found that in order to make physics successful in this post-War environment, Lawrence had to make physics increasingly open.
Stephanie R.
When discontented miners gave up on the gold fields, they turned to farming. California farmers experienced far more success than their southern counterparts, and the state’s economy was stronger than ever before. Today, not much has changed. Agriculture is still an enormous industry in California, and in 2004, the state’s agriculture sales exceeded 30 billion, making it more than twice the size of any other state’s agriculture industry. However, agriculture is not the only industry California is known for: the state is also home to silicon valley—a home to countless of the world’s largest technology corporations and start-up companies. In my project, I will explore how California has managed to excel in both agriculture and technology; two fields entirely different from each other.
F Block
AP B.
My website details the past, present, and future of West Coast rap, from N.W.A to Death Row Records to 2Pac to Snoop Dogg, E-40, and The Game, to DJ Mustard and Kendrick Lamar. The site tracks the individual styles and their influences that have come to be known as West Coast rap. I include samples of West Coast rap from the late 1980s to today, analysis of the lyrics, and biographies of the most influential players in the history of West Coast rap. The site is meant to inform a young but mature audience about the origins and inspirations of much of the music that we often hear on the radio in an entertaining fashion that combines songs, lyrics, videos, interviews, text, and images.
Allie D.
California has stood as a beacon of hope and opportunity to people throughout the United States and across the world for many years; and my family was no exception. In the 1800’s the Levison’s and the Gerstle’s packed up their entire life and moved west hoping that gold would turn their luck around. While their beginnings in California were rough, the Gerstle branch of the family found success trading furs from Alaska and founded the Alaska Commercial Company. The Levison branch kept their influence local and headed the Fireman’s Insurance Fund. My family became very prominent members of society, however because of their Jewish identity they still faced discrimination. The intolerance that my family faced did not stop them from continuing their active role in their community. When the 1906 earthquake ravaged the city the men in my family worked tirelessly to help salvage what remained of their beloved city.
Gina H.
For my final project, I'm building an informational website about Rancho Del Cielo, President Ronald Reagan's and First Lady Nancy Reagan's ranch located northwest of Santa Barbara. During Reagan's presidency (1981-1989) the ranch became known as the "Western White House." Reagan signed many important bills during his vacations at the ranch, and he invited distinguished guests to stay there such as British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Queen Elizabeth II, and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Reagan grew up poor in various suburbs of Illinois during the Great Depression, so even when he had plenty of money during his later years, his management of the ranch reflected his modesty and the frugality of his upbringing. Reagan was not raised in the country, but his ranch became part of his personal identity, and to the public it was a window into part of his soul -- his traditional American Values and his down-to-earth personality. He went there to enjoy his love for horses and the quiet, undisturbed outdoors, and it is a place where he left his story for future generations. Today, the ranch is preserved and protected by the Young America's Foundation, a conservative center with headquarters in Santa Barbara.
Anya J.
For my project I will be exploring the history of food in Bay Area. I will follow the histories of multiple restaurants, as well as follow the development of many classic Californian foods in the Bay Area in order to track how the foods came to California and how they have changed over the years. My project will explore “California Cuisine” and how it developed from the 1980’s to the present day. California is home to many immigrants, from many different countries; however, I have chosen to focus on Latin American and Asian influences in Californian cuisine. Ultimately my project will allow viewers to understand how immigrant culture has shaped Californian food, and how California has changed the traditional food brought over by immigrants.
Kevyn K.
History of Compton Gangs will be a website that will service as an academic resource on gang violence in Compton. We will be diving in deep into dark origins of gangs in Compton, starting at its foundation all the way back in 1969, to its current role in society of Compton. I will be analyzing what lead to the creation of the gangs in the first place and what has continued to fuel them throughout history. We will be taking a closer look at the two most prominent gangs in Compton, the Crips and Bloods, and how they developed over the course of the years. We will be also looking at the influence of gangs and gang violence in pop culture, more specifically as it pertains to music, as well as the reverse effect of the influence of pop culture on gangs. I hope to provide a thorough informational source, accompanied with a sleek and clean design, to allow students like myself, as well as anyone else who may be interested, to get a better understanding of gang violence in Compton.
William L.
Marijuana has been used by mankind for thousands of years; however, the conversation involving its legalization and decriminalization has only become a popular topic in our state's political and social atmosphere recently. My website, "The Drug History of California," will discuss the history of popular drugs associated with California, such as cannabis, and its path through the legalization process. Both sides to the debate will be explored, and I will even head out to San Francisco's Dolores Park to get real people's perspectives on the topic. Through this website, I hope to shed light on the misconceptions of the drug debate and spark discussion about what California should or will do next.
Lauren S.
I will be exploring how food can be a facilitator in the assimilation of immigrants into American culture. How does the blending of food allow foreign cultures to blend and add to our Californian identity? I will be looking specifically at Asian Fusion foods as examples. Asian fusion foods are specific to California because many of them were introduced in California. For example, I will examine how sushi changed from Nigiri to the California Roll. I will look at aspects such as origin, development/ evolution, and how food now has an impact on Californian diet and culture.
Ally S.
San Francisco is one of the most liberal areas of California, home to many different kinds of movements and people. On my website I will be analyzing primary and secondary sources to inform our community about one of the most important movements that developed in San Francisco, the counter culture hippie movement. Most importantly, I will be focusing on the district of San Francisco known as “the Haight.” Through my analysis, I aim to find the reasons that such a movement was able to have its beginnings in San Francisco. Overall, I will inform our community about an important place in our history, delving into how the Haight became known as the center of the counterculture movement, and how this added to the development of San Francisco into a liberal society.
AP B.
My website details the past, present, and future of West Coast rap, from N.W.A to Death Row Records to 2Pac to Snoop Dogg, E-40, and The Game, to DJ Mustard and Kendrick Lamar. The site tracks the individual styles and their influences that have come to be known as West Coast rap. I include samples of West Coast rap from the late 1980s to today, analysis of the lyrics, and biographies of the most influential players in the history of West Coast rap. The site is meant to inform a young but mature audience about the origins and inspirations of much of the music that we often hear on the radio in an entertaining fashion that combines songs, lyrics, videos, interviews, text, and images.
Allie D.
California has stood as a beacon of hope and opportunity to people throughout the United States and across the world for many years; and my family was no exception. In the 1800’s the Levison’s and the Gerstle’s packed up their entire life and moved west hoping that gold would turn their luck around. While their beginnings in California were rough, the Gerstle branch of the family found success trading furs from Alaska and founded the Alaska Commercial Company. The Levison branch kept their influence local and headed the Fireman’s Insurance Fund. My family became very prominent members of society, however because of their Jewish identity they still faced discrimination. The intolerance that my family faced did not stop them from continuing their active role in their community. When the 1906 earthquake ravaged the city the men in my family worked tirelessly to help salvage what remained of their beloved city.
Gina H.
For my final project, I'm building an informational website about Rancho Del Cielo, President Ronald Reagan's and First Lady Nancy Reagan's ranch located northwest of Santa Barbara. During Reagan's presidency (1981-1989) the ranch became known as the "Western White House." Reagan signed many important bills during his vacations at the ranch, and he invited distinguished guests to stay there such as British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Queen Elizabeth II, and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Reagan grew up poor in various suburbs of Illinois during the Great Depression, so even when he had plenty of money during his later years, his management of the ranch reflected his modesty and the frugality of his upbringing. Reagan was not raised in the country, but his ranch became part of his personal identity, and to the public it was a window into part of his soul -- his traditional American Values and his down-to-earth personality. He went there to enjoy his love for horses and the quiet, undisturbed outdoors, and it is a place where he left his story for future generations. Today, the ranch is preserved and protected by the Young America's Foundation, a conservative center with headquarters in Santa Barbara.
Anya J.
For my project I will be exploring the history of food in Bay Area. I will follow the histories of multiple restaurants, as well as follow the development of many classic Californian foods in the Bay Area in order to track how the foods came to California and how they have changed over the years. My project will explore “California Cuisine” and how it developed from the 1980’s to the present day. California is home to many immigrants, from many different countries; however, I have chosen to focus on Latin American and Asian influences in Californian cuisine. Ultimately my project will allow viewers to understand how immigrant culture has shaped Californian food, and how California has changed the traditional food brought over by immigrants.
Kevyn K.
History of Compton Gangs will be a website that will service as an academic resource on gang violence in Compton. We will be diving in deep into dark origins of gangs in Compton, starting at its foundation all the way back in 1969, to its current role in society of Compton. I will be analyzing what lead to the creation of the gangs in the first place and what has continued to fuel them throughout history. We will be taking a closer look at the two most prominent gangs in Compton, the Crips and Bloods, and how they developed over the course of the years. We will be also looking at the influence of gangs and gang violence in pop culture, more specifically as it pertains to music, as well as the reverse effect of the influence of pop culture on gangs. I hope to provide a thorough informational source, accompanied with a sleek and clean design, to allow students like myself, as well as anyone else who may be interested, to get a better understanding of gang violence in Compton.
William L.
Marijuana has been used by mankind for thousands of years; however, the conversation involving its legalization and decriminalization has only become a popular topic in our state's political and social atmosphere recently. My website, "The Drug History of California," will discuss the history of popular drugs associated with California, such as cannabis, and its path through the legalization process. Both sides to the debate will be explored, and I will even head out to San Francisco's Dolores Park to get real people's perspectives on the topic. Through this website, I hope to shed light on the misconceptions of the drug debate and spark discussion about what California should or will do next.
Lauren S.
I will be exploring how food can be a facilitator in the assimilation of immigrants into American culture. How does the blending of food allow foreign cultures to blend and add to our Californian identity? I will be looking specifically at Asian Fusion foods as examples. Asian fusion foods are specific to California because many of them were introduced in California. For example, I will examine how sushi changed from Nigiri to the California Roll. I will look at aspects such as origin, development/ evolution, and how food now has an impact on Californian diet and culture.
Ally S.
San Francisco is one of the most liberal areas of California, home to many different kinds of movements and people. On my website I will be analyzing primary and secondary sources to inform our community about one of the most important movements that developed in San Francisco, the counter culture hippie movement. Most importantly, I will be focusing on the district of San Francisco known as “the Haight.” Through my analysis, I aim to find the reasons that such a movement was able to have its beginnings in San Francisco. Overall, I will inform our community about an important place in our history, delving into how the Haight became known as the center of the counterculture movement, and how this added to the development of San Francisco into a liberal society.