Da Vinci Design

For students interested in filmmaking opportunities:

Film2Future is offering an intensive filmmaking program where students can take creative ideas from script to screen. You will learn the filmmaking process from more than 250 professionals working in the entertainment industry. After graduating, students will have a resume, portfolio, and a professional network of Hollywood creatives. Eligible graduates (18+ years old) of the program are supported in launching their careers as creators and obtaining paid internships and jobs. The program is free to students. The deadline to apply is February 19th. Click here to apply. 

For students interested in research opportunities:

Project STRIDE – Charles Drew University is a ten-week summer clinical research program for 11th-grade high school students. Students may be in the 11th grade at the time of submitting the application and must have completed the 11th grade to start in the program. The application is available now and due no later than March 15th.

For students interested in tech opportunities:

Technovation Girls Challenge: Technovation Challenge runs across 100+ countries for young female tech entrepreneurs ages 10 to 18. Participants work with mentors to develop a mobile app and launch a startup that solves real-world problems with technology. Girls need to complete all the necessary steps, from coding to writing a business plan. The submission deadline is April 18th, 2023 at 5 pm PDT. Learn more by clicking here.

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Avantus Cleantech Career Academy offers opportunities for youth to succeed in California’s green energy future through education, job readiness, and paid-work-based learning. Youth earn $16.04 an hour while building their knowledge of opportunities in the cleantech sector. The Academy will take place virtually over a 12-week period on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 6:30 pm. Must be 16 years old. The deadline to apply is February 22. Apply here. 

For students interested in entrepreneurship opportunities:

Diamond Challenge: The diamond challenge is an innovative entrepreneurship competition offering $100,000 in prizes and resources to take student ideas to the next level. It provides a unique opportunity for teens to learn about entrepreneurship while putting their ideas into action. The 2023 summit will begin in April 23. Learn more by clicking here.

For more information, please contact Crissel Rodriguez, Director of Real World Learning, at crodriguez@davincischools.org.

For students interested in pursuing a career as a health professional:

The Turner-UCLA Allied Health Internship Program is a week-long summer internship for students to gain exposure and build interest in careers in the allied health professions. During the internship, students will stay at UCLA dorms and rotate through different departments at the UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center, attend guest speaker panels, and workshops, and engage in supervised student life at the UCLA Campus. High school juniors are encouraged to apply. The program is free. A Zoom Information Session will take place on Wednesday, February 22nd from 4:00 to 5:00 pm. Zoom registration and flier. 

For students interested in public relations and journalism opportunities:

The Los Angeles Feminist Majority Foundation is seeking interns for their Public Relations and Journalism departments. Interns would work directly with Ms. editors to research, fact-check information, write blog posts, and curate content for the Ms. Magazine website and print magazine. Interns would also do research, conduct outreach to media contacts, develop press materials, and promote the organization on social media. They’re looking for bright, energetic, and resourceful people interested in learning how the editorial side of a nonprofit magazine operates–from the inception of an idea to the final printed product–and gaining new feminist perspectives. The deadline to apply is March 31. Click here for more information. 

For students interested in internship opportunities:

This opportunity is recommended for graduating seniors interested in tourism and hospitality. The Great Wolf Summer Hospitality Internship Program is a 10-week program that provides high school graduates with a meaningful experience that compliments their current coursework. Through an experiential and structured approach to learning, interns will gain real-life experience in the hospitality and entertainment industry. The program will include a job shadow week to provide exposure and learning of other disciplines across the brand. At the end of the program, participants will also complete a term project and present it to the lodge leadership team. Upon successful completion of the program, interns will be considered for future internships, full-time positions, and/or Great Wolf Management Development Program (MDP). To learn more, click here. 

 

For more information, please contact Crissel Rodriguez, Director of Real World Learning, at crodriguez@davincischools.org.

For students interested in pursuing a career in the legal profession:

The Summer Legal Institute is a four-day legal immersion program for high school students across the country. The goal of the SLI is to enhance skill sets that are essential for students to progress successfully through high school, college, and law school. Scholars experience interactive sessions that will develop skills such as reading, writing, critical thinking, professional etiquette, financial literacy, and public speaking. Through a unique curriculum designed to enhance these skill sets, the SLI program inspires diverse students to pursue advanced degrees and careers in the legal profession. The deadline to apply is April 3, 2023. To learn more, click here. 

For students interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement:

The California Highway Patrol’s Explorer Program is designed for young men and women, 15 to 20 years of age, allowing them to develop the skills and knowledge needed to serve the people of California through discipline and a commitment to serving their community. Explorers assist the CHP both in the office and out in the field. The experience they obtain here will be directly applicable to a future in law enforcement, while building relationships – with other Explorers, in the community they serve, and within the CHP. Explorers receive physical fitness training, medical training, and organizational, and clerical training. As an Explorer, you’ll attend Community Service events, staff DUI Checkpoints, participate in a ride-along in the field, and compete in Explorer Competitions. For more information, please call the California Highway Patrol Office in Torrance at (424) 551-4000. 

For students interested in pursuing a career with the Los Angeles Fire Department:

The LAFD Cadet program is the top tier of a progressive pathway to becoming a Los Angeles City Firefighter. Cadets work side by side with LAFD members to learn the duties and responsibilities of a firefighter. Following an introductory one-day orientation, the youth get assigned to an approved LAFD Cadet Post, located at one of our Fire Stations in the City. Cadet Post activities are organized by firefighters that act as advisors and have completed all youth protection training through the Exploring Program/Boy Scouts of America. Many of the Cadet Post Advisors have been Cadets themselves. Must be 14 years or older. For more information, click here. 

For more information, please contact Crissel Rodriguez, Director of Real World Learning, at crodriguez@davincischools.org.

For students interested in arts, media, & entertainment:

Warner Bros. Discovery awards Honorships, internship-scholarship packages, to graduating high school seniors passionate about the business of media and entertainment. Honorship recipients should have an interest in careers within the corporate and studio side of the entertainment industry ranging from traditional business functions, such as finance, human resources, operations, marketing and communications, to more technical or creative roles such as content development, post-production, sound editing, and games. Must be a graduating senior to apply. The deadline is Wednesday, March 1. To learn more, click here.

For students interested in internship and volunteer opportunities:

The Child Development Early Learning Center connects students to internships and volunteer opportunities that use individual skills and interests to support young children and serve families in a variety of ways. You will help young children and families discover the magic of play to support school readiness. All types of work experiences are welcome. Locations are found in Reseda, Canoga Park, and Tarzana. For more information, click here.

The California Science Center is seeking volunteers in a number of areas including educational floor presenters and gallery hosts. To see the requirements, please click here.

The Aquarium of the Pacific offers a number of volunteer opportunities for teens 13-18 years old. To learn more, click here.

For students interested in STEM:

Avantus Cleantech Career Academy offers opportunities for youth to succeed in California’s green energy future through education, job-readiness, and paid-work-based learning. Youth earn $16.04 an hour while building their knowledge of opportunities in the cleantech sector. The Academy will take place virtually over a 12-week period on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 6:30 pm. Must be 16 years old. The deadline to apply is January 30. Apply here.

The Samuels Family LA-HIP (Latino and African American High School Internship Program) provides students from underrepresented minorities an opportunity to work in the STEM field. Participants are able to experience hands-on laboratory research and gain exposure to professional positions in science and medicine. The internship begins in June and ends with a Science Symposium in early August. The application is due February 3, 2023. To learn more, click here. 

Girls Make Games is offering a virtual summer camp where you can learn how to design and program your own video game in just 3 weeks! You will receive live gilded instruction, and each participant can submit their game to industry judges to win prizes. You will also get the opportunity to meet industry role experts and learn about careers and pathways in the video games industry. You must be 13-18 years old to participate. No prior coding game development experience needed! Program dates are July 11-29 Monday through Friday. There is 100% need-based financial aid to make the camp accessible to all. To learn more, click here. 

Hidden Genius is offering a FREE, 15- month, cohort-based training program provides Black males in high school with upwards of 800 hours of holistic, trauma/healing-informed, high-touch mentorship and intensive training that seeks to develop youth into strong and responsible leaders equipped with coding and entrepreneurial skills, who can identify and develop tech-enabled solutions to address society’s most compelling challenges. The deadline is February 19. To apply click here.

LA-Tech offers students paid opportunities to kickstart their tech journeys at a high level. They offer opportunities in technical, creative, business, and marketing pathways. students interested in a tech career? LA-Tech offers students paid opportunities to kickstart their tech journeys at a high level. To learn more, please sign up for an information session here.

Girls Who Code offers two FREE programs in the summer: the Summer Immersion Program and the Self-Paced Program. Applicants can apply for BOTH programs, if eligible, using this application. However, students can only participate in one Summer Program. Apply Here

For students interested in fashion and interior design:

The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is offering two unique summer programs for high school and college students: a five-day intensive FIDM Summer Program (for one college credit) and a three-day Pre-College Summer Program For High School Students. Scholarships may be available through the admissions office. 

• The five-day college credit program is designed for high school juniors and seniors, recent high school graduates, and college students looking to experience FIDM as a student. With a focus on sustainability, the lectures and workshops mirror actual college-level discussions and coursework.
• The three-day program for high school students of any grade has a power-packed lineup of hands-on workshops, engaging presentations, guest speaker panels, campus tours, and more—all structured to offer insight and foster passion for the creative industries.

 

For more information, please contact Crissel Rodriguez, Director of Real World Learning, at crodriguez@davincischools.org.

For students interested in computer science:

Code Ninjas in El Segundo is offering an information session on their upcoming Python Club (ages 13-18) program for students interested in practical applications of Computer Science. Python is an essential building block for many data science applications (i.e., Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, etc). More information will be shared on cost and start dates on Thursday, 1/19 at 7 pm via Zoom.

For zoom invite, click here.

For students interested in animation:

Have you ever wondered what it’s like being an intern at Pixar Animation Studios? Learn the inside scoop from former interns and their mentors in this panel series taking place on Sunday, January 29 at 3 pm. Panelists include former interns Asha Farmer, Gina Beneduci, and Sadie Shipton. The panel also includes their mentor and current art director working at Pixar, Carlos León. Learn what the day is like as an intern at Pixar, how to make your portfolio stand out to recruiters, gain advice from industry professionals, and more. The panel will be followed by a 15-minute Q+A at the end. To register, click here.

For more information, please contact Crissel Rodriguez, Director of Real World Learning, at crodriguez@davincischools.org.

Welcome back Da Vinci students and families! I hope you all had a restful and joyful winter break. Please see the real-world learning opportunities below.

For students interested in STEM:

Cal State Dominguez Hills is having an iUrban Teen Summit on Saturday, January 21. It will be a day filled with fun and technology for middle and high school students. They will have workshops, ideation sessions, and even a parent roundtable. The event is free to attend and lunch will be provided. There will also be a raffle of cool prizes. To reserve your spot, click here.

For students interested in leadership and entrepreneurship opportunities:

Hidden Genius is offering a FREE, 15- month, training program that provides Black males in high school with upwards of 800 hours of holistic, trauma/healing-informed, high-touch mentorship and intensive training that seeks to develop youth into strong and responsible leaders equipped with coding and entrepreneurial skills, who can identify and develop tech-enabled solutions to address society’s most compelling challenges. The deadline is February 19. To apply click here.

For students interested in travel opportunities:

National Geographic is hosting a number of webinars related to their summer travel programs. Some destinations include the Canadian Arctic, Ecuador and the Galapagos, Iceland, Thailand, Tokyo, and Yellowstone! These travel experiences come at a cost and applications are now available. To learn more, click here. To learn about other opportunities currently available to students, click here.

To learn about other opportunities currently available to students, click here.