What happens when students step outside the traditional classroom and into a glass studio? In this hands-on Term Project, students in grades 9–11 explored the art and science of glass through both on-campus creation and real-world experience.

Students spent the week working with both hot and cold glass, discovering new techniques and pushing their creativity in exciting ways. On campus, they practiced glass fusion by designing their own pieces, cutting cold glass, and firing their work in a kiln. These projects ranged from detailed pendants to larger glass scenes, each one showcasing careful planning and artistic expression. As Max P. shared, the experience offered “so much creative liberty,” giving students the freedom to explore their own ideas while building new skills.

The experience extended beyond campus with a visit to the Bay Area Glass Institute (BAGI), where students worked with hot glass reaching temperatures of nearly 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. With guidance from professional instructors, they rotated, blew, and shaped molten glass to create their own bowls. Students selected their preferred shapes and colors, watching as clear glass was rolled in vibrant frit—small pieces of colored glass—before being transformed into one-of-a-kind pieces. Reflecting on the experience, Rachel Van Dusen summed it up simply: “It blew me away.”

Over the course of the project, each student completed at least three pieces: a blown glass bowl, a small fused pendant, and a larger fused design. Along the way, they gained not only technical skills, but also a deeper appreciation for the medium. As teacher Sarah Hetu noted, “This Term Project brought students a great respect for working with glass—we truly learned that challenging mediums give us the most rewarding work.”

Beyond the techniques, students valued the opportunity to collaborate, create, and enjoy the process together. Mansi S. shared that the project allowed her to “be productive and have fun with my friends and teachers,” while Ximo (George) T. added that he “would definitely do it again.” For some, the impact was lasting—Olivia X. reflected, “Glass blowing changed my life.”

The week concluded with a Glass Showcase, where students proudly displayed their creations for families and staff to enjoy, celebrating all they had learned and accomplished.

From first cuts of cold glass to shaping molten material in the studio, this Term Project gave students a unique opportunity to explore creativity in a completely new medium—one that challenged them, inspired them, and left a lasting impression.

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