Take our Pier Survey Check out the latest news from the house: Photos from Pier Proposal Mapping Thu, 04 Jun 2009 Maine State Pier Walking Tour Photos Tue, 02 Jun 2009 Debating topic of the Month! 2 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 York 8 Manifesto Video #2 Fri, 22 May 2009 Video: Students share their Pier Manifesto Wed, 20 May 2009 Pictures from the Expedition: Fieldwork Wed, 20 May 2009 Join the Four Freedoms expedition in our online discussion.

York 8 delves into the contentious past and present of Maine State Pier planning in Pier Pressure March 25
Take our Pier Survey

Portland's waterfront is ever changing and always in the news. York 8 students will begin looking at the past, present and potential future of the Maine State Pier and the surrounding area. Students will be creating scale plans of a sustainable design for the Maine State Pier. Students will also research the history, the economic and environmental issues, and the viability of their proposed designs. York 8 students will also be looking for parental and community based feedback concerning one of Portland'smost valuable resources.

Four Freedoms expedition culminates, but the discussion continues on line Jan 09
Student discussions, video debates, and comments are still happening on the blog.

The Four Freedoms expedition culminated in December with an exposition of student collages at the Three Fish Gallery in Portland. Students and community members are welcome to look back at the discussion as well as add comments through the weblog.

Exploration of freedom, responsibility, and activism in Four Freedoms Oct 2
King's longest running expedition

In the fall of 1941, as the United States considered it's probable entry into World War II, Franklin Roosevelt delivered a State of the Union speech outlining the four freedoms America would fight for: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from fear, and freedom from want. Norman Rockwell depicted these four freedoms in a now famous series of paintings as part of the U.S. war stamps effort.

In the Four Freedoms expedition, King students examine Rockwell's paintings and the historical origins of the four freedoms in the context of their own values, images, and perceptions of the world today. Like Rockwell, each student will create a piece of art that captures her or his interpretation of one of the freedoms.

Their work, and the students' artist statements, will be hung in a local gallery.

News and Highlights from Last Year:

In The Wide World of Engineering Students Explore the Impact and Ethics of Engineering Oct 4

Follow the Expedition Wiki as it Develops

What is involved in designing skate boards or skate board parks? Does the idea of designing a roller coaster thrill you? Are you concerned about global warming, and would like to make changes in our lives that have the potential to reverse it? Would you like to help develop artificial limbs, organs, or other implants that can work within the human body?

Who are engineers and what do they do? How do they impact our lives?

York 8 is immersing itself into the world of engineers. We are learning that almost everything that we do - from the moment we get up in the morning, until the moment we go to bed at night - is influenced by the work of an engineer. The students will investigate the many types of engineers, the engineering design process and ways in which engineers use science and math to influence those designs, and the ethical questions that arise as engineers develop their ideas.

Highlights from Last Year: Expeditions and Events from 2006 -2007

York 8 Explores How Engineering Has Transformed Nearly Every Aspect of our Lives May 24

Dr. Kate Sheldon and Michael Bush, both visitors from Idexx, present to York Eight students during the Engineering Your Future Expedition.

What is involved in designing skate boards or skate board parks? Would you like to be able to develop a car with better fuel economy? Does the idea of designing a roller coaster thrill you? Are you interested in global warming, and would like to make changes in our lives that have the potential to reverse it? Would you like to help develop artificial limbs , organs, or other implants that can work within the human body?

Who are engineers and what do they do? How do they impact our lives?

York 8 has immersed itself in the world of engineers. We are learning that almost everything that we do - from the moment we get up in the morning, until the moment we go to bed at night - is influenced by the work of an engineer.
Each student has researched and written a five paragraph essay on a specific field of engineering, its impacts on our lives, and an innovation that is being developed today. In addition to research, they are taking on the role of the engineer as they design and build their own boats in technology education. A trip to the Landing Boat building School introduced the students to the engineering design and construction of boats first hand, before beginning their own design. As the students develop their understanding of what an engineer does, they are at the same time looking at the underlying principles of physics and mathematics which drive an engineer’s design.