Snacks 83–School for Science and Math Sophomores Interview!
Monday, May 18th, 2009This past Wednesday, May 13, I trotted on over from my work at University School of Nashville to watch a presentation from one of the 6 groups of 3 School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt sophomores. This was the culminating session from self-directed, teacher-guided, out-in-the-field research projects, and as you’ll hear when Isaiah details what was at stake as a result of the assessment of their presentations, they were all very much into making things clear and accessible.
I watched a fun 20 minute presentation from one group, and I was relieved to see that the students were being videotaped. Perhaps we can share some more of these projects in future Snacks! I asked Dr. Chris Vanags if I could interview a group, and he graciously sent Ashleigh, Cindy, and Isiah my way. We moved over into the snack room and chatted for about 10 minutes. These are ten minutes I want to share with you. I think you’ll agree that these 16 year-olds are well on their way to lifelong learning in science, and I would say from talking with them that their self-confidence and grasp of the important concepts is exceptional. It speaks to the quality of the program a the School, which brings 25 Metro Nashville Public School high school students at each grade level to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center for hands-on research and learning one day a week, the entire academic year. I want to reiterate what I’ve mentioned here before: the rest of their public schooling does not go away, get excused, or do itself. These kids work and work hard, and they will deserve the diploma notation they receive when they graduate from their respective high schools upon completion of their senior year.
Before we get started, let’s hear some summer themed music, this time beautifully produced indie alternative rock from a project called SUPERCREEP, the brainchild of New Jersey rocker Jody Delli Santi, fresh from the podcast music network at music.podshow.com. Go visit their MySpace site and buy some SUPERCREEP! After the interview, please allow me to introduce the Dutch band Zamarro, who’ve been together 13 years without a change in band members and how come this is the first time I’ve heard of them. Maybe it’s that they’re from Switzerland? I swear, if I didn’t podcast my music education would definitely suffer! They’ll rock us outta here with a pounding hello summertime rendition of their “Off We Go.” That one’s for my son Colin…
Whilst I’m at it, I bet you haven’t seen the April 24 Vanderbilt Health News item about the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt. No? Well here!