February 2016

Nothing could be more more inspiring than an invite to the White House. Citing “the work you do day-in and day-out to serve the youth of this country,” we were honored to be invited and present at State of STEM in the White House. Along with our partner chef, William “Bill” Yosses, we installed a Tower Garden in the Eisenhower Wing of the White House and demonstrated how we go seed to tower to table in class – GBM style – all aligned to content area and subject matter instruction. From there we went straight to the Briefing Room and White House Kitchen, and talked recipes and future plans. Turns out El Capitan was nominated for the Presidential Award of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching – the highest teaching honor in the nation! Our visit was featured and highlighted by DIVERSITY IN STEAM MAGAZINE and by a student reporter from CNN.

How A Great Teacher Cultivates Veggies (And Kids) In The Bronx — In 17 Photos

For those who want to hear the sounds and see the sights of our classroom, we urge you to check out the National Public Radio feature complete with audio interviews of students, parents, teachers and featuring amazing pictures of our classroom. The series – entitled 50 Great Teachers – came to the Boogie-Down Bronx – and spent the day with El Capital and crew resulting in an episode that has gone VIRAL around the globe! Our favorite part was the NERD CHEER – hear it to believe it! Look, listen, read and be inspired – the power of SI SE PUEDE! Check it out and comment.

NY Times: Tastes of the World
Kids Cooking Pavilion – Go Green Bronx Machine!

Once again, we were proud to be featured in the NY Times Tastes of the World Kids Cooking Pavilion. With our Tower Gardens in tow – we set up shop with Chef Yosses and some of the nation’s most recognized chefs to cook right on our Green Bronx Machine Mobile Classroom Kitchen by Port-Equip. All weekend long, we and the entire Chef Team hosted hundreds of visitors and aspiring chefs / foodies to savor the flavor of healthy, fresh, student prepared food. For our Bronx students and parents, it was a great day to showcase our talent, technology and tenacity and to prove that the Bronx CAN – Change Attitudes Now – and inspire healthy living and learning all across the nation and world.

Thanks to an incredibly kind donation from our Canadian Friends, Super Chefs, Dr. Greg Chang and Chef Victor Bongo, all the students at CS 55 received new toothbrushes and dental supplies to last the academic year – we will be showcasing these bright smiles in the months to come!

Thanks to our dear friends at KHDA, Knowledge and Human Development Authority, who came to visit us last year here in the Bronx, El Capitan was invited to speak at What Works – in the heart of Dubai! Cheese hat on his head and bow-tie on his neck, El Capitan delivered a SI SE PUEDE message and received the first standing ovation in the history of the event. From there he visited many schools and sites including GEMS MODERN ACADEMY – winners of a national science competition – where he received a custom bow-tie from five year old Stefanie – while hundreds of students cheered. During the trip, El Capitan was featured in TEACH UAE Magazine and compiled an amazing video tour.

One of the Dignitaries he met, The Green Sheikh – invited El Capitan to the desert, where El Capitan took off like a rocket on his now famous camel ride – seen by hundreds of thousands of viewers. Neither El Capitan nor the camel were hurt, although El Capitan exacted revenge by drinking camel’s milk during a traditional meal afterwards. El Capitan returns to Dubai in March to present at Global Skills and Education Forum and Global Teacher Prize where he will lead a debate highlighting global STEM / STEAM Initiatives.

Inspired by our soft launch video, GBM was featured in the Change Food Newsletter where it was announced that we are the 2016 Idea Accelerator for the Change Food Fest this fall here in NYC. This first ever, iconic event organized by Change Food with Diane Hatz and team will be the new standard. The Change Food Fest will take place in New York City on November 11, 12 and 13, 2016 and will explore and celebrate change happening in the food system. Rather than talk about problems, Change Food actively looks at solutions that are leading us to the sustainable food system we wish to see with a focus on both real and visionary solutions. If that’s not enough, there will be lots of yummy – local – food, trips, workshops, salons, screenings and panels in this visionary and highly interactive festival. Please come join us!