cover summer 2013.indd - Trinity Preparatory School

72 Pages·2013·10.52 MB·English

ALUMNI MAGAZINE Spring/Summer 2013
THE MORGUE
Y
ou know you are at a unique place when the word “morgue” conjures up fond
memories. It took a visit from a class of 1975 alumnus for me to discover Trinity
Prep’s morgue, an apothecary jar stored in the biology classroom of Dennis Bluge.
Since 1974, Dennis Bluge’s students have performed a classic genetics experiment
using drosophila melanogaster, commonly known as the fruit fl y, to study genetics.
Biology students breed fruit fl ies through several generations to observe and count the
number of individuals exhibiting traits of interest, such as eye color, wing shape, and
legs in the place of antennae. After the experiment is over, the fl ies go into the morgue.
“We started with a much smaller morgue years ago, but with the collection increasing,
it had to get a bigger home,” said Bluge. He has been known to tell his students that his
retirement would come when there was no more room in the morgue. This is his forty-
fi rst year teaching at Trinity Prep, and the morgue is at full capacity.
Dr. Pardis Sabeti ’93, Trinity Prep’s 2013 Distinguished Alumna, was infl uenced by what
she learned in Bluge’s classroom. Now a Harvard professor, physician, and human
genetics expert, Sabeti came back to campus this spring and talked with current TPS
students. She told them that “two fundamental qualities you need to succeed in science are the creativity to develop ideas and
ask paradigm-shifting questions and the persistence to see them through despite all of the challenges and failures that come
your way.” Many of the students left energized by thoughts of how they too could impact the world.
Sabeti’s visit was timely. In a graduation survey, the Class of 2013 articulated a strong interest in STEM fi elds (science, technology,
engineering, and math). Almost half of the 120 seniors expressed interest in pursuing STEM majors in college. Moreover, half of
those who expressed an interest in STEM fi elds were women.
This issue of TrinityPrep is dedicated to science. You will fi nd students involved in science outside the classroom in “Giving Science
Context and Texture,“ (pg 4), and in an interview with Carol Denicole Chair of Science, Lali DeRosier (pg 7) who explains how
Trinity Prep’s science curriculum is keeping up with the times. Physics teacher Michael Arney’s students design and build Rube
Goldberg style machines that use diff erent types of energy to accomplish a simple task (pg 10), and the robotics class, taught by
Susan Frederick, builds a frisbee-throwing robot that will compete in a NASA robotics competition (page 12).
What memories do you have of your Trinity Prep science classes? Was it dissecting a cat in anatomy or causing an explosion in
the chemistry room? Was it your lab partner or failing to get the result you hypothesized? Whether or not a student decides to
pursue a career in the sciences, he or she is learning important lessons about problem-solving while making lasting memories,
possibly a memory like the morgue.
Ashley Whittaker Johnston ‘97,
Director of Alumni Relations
F E AT U R E S
4
Giving Science Context and Texture
Science students are going beyond the classroom to places where dry facts are coming alive.
8
Dis(cid:415) nguished Alumna Award
Dr. Pardis Sabe(cid:415) ’93 was recognized for her many accomplishments including her scien(cid:415) fi c
research of the human genome.
10
The Rube Goldberg Projects
A comical physics compe(cid:415) (cid:415) on inspired Mike Arney’s students to design, construct, and
execute a func(cid:415) onal contrap(cid:415) on that was capable of sharpening a pencil.
12
Robo(cid:415) cs Goes to Ul(cid:415) mate Ascents
Susan Frederick’s Upper School robo(cid:415) cs class will compete in a NASA compe(cid:415) (cid:415) on to build a
robot that can toss discs into goals and then climb a 90-inch pyramid.
14
A Farewell to Dennis Bluge and Bob Fulmer
Two of Trinity Prep’s longest tenured teachers say farewell to the School and embark on new
adventures.
18
Mame
The 2013 all-school musical Mame entertained its audiences. With a cast of almost 70
students, director Janine Papin created a beau(cid:415) fully choreographed produc(cid:415) on.
28
Coach Kruczek “It’s All About Compe(cid:415) (cid:415) on”
Meet the newest addi(cid:415) on to the Trinity Prep coaching staff , Michael Kruczek, former head
football coach for the University of Central Florida.
40
Celebra(cid:415) on and Reunion Weekend
Alumni, alumni families, faculty, and former faculty were represented in the all-class
celebra(cid:415) on and Saturday night class reunions.
on the cover
also in this issue
Trinity Prep’s 2013 Dis(cid:415) nguished Alumna
Dr. Pardis Sabe(cid:415) ’93 is pictured in the Broad
2 Headmaster’s Report Ins(cid:415) tute’s research lab. (Cover photo was
20 On Campus taken by Oliver Douliery.) This ar(cid:415) cle can be
34 Alumni Events found on page 8.
51 Arts Hall of Fame
53 Class Notes
1
HEADMASTER’S REPORT
A
s we conclude our 45th anniversary by featuring our Science Department in this issue of Trinity Prep
Magazine, I would like to refl ect back upon the founding of the school. The fi rst person that Canon Hay,
our founder, hired was the Reverend H. Benton Ellis. Father Ellis was a priest and missionary serving in the
Philippines before coming to Central Florida. He was also appointed the fi rst Chair of the Science Department,
had previously served as a researcher in the early development of atomic energy at Oak Ridge Laboratories,
and was an acquaintance of Albert Einstein. When the school opened in 1968, Father Ellis and Frank Campbell
cons(cid:415) tuted the en(cid:415) re Science Department. Rigorous standards and a dedica(cid:415) on to inquiry-based science
were hallmarks of the program from the beginning. Providing an outstanding background in the sciences has
inspired many graduates to go into science-related majors and science-based careers.
The excitement of scien(cid:415) fi c discovery and the advancement of science knowledge has been a personal interest
of mine. As a former science teacher, it has been thrilling to see the development of our department and
expansion of the science and technology off erings at the school.
Our science program includes many opportuni(cid:415) es for “hands-on” learning. Our eighth graders par(cid:415) cipate in the
annual Science Expo in which students analyze a problem, develop a hypothesis, and conduct an experiment
Craig Maughan
2
Jonathan Gray’s AP Environmental Science students went on a trip to the Jekyll
Island 4-H center in February to learn about coastal ecology. In this picture, students
are sitting on a tree that used to be in a maritime forest until erosion of the north end
of the island caused this and other trees to fall down, creating a “bone-yard” beach.
with proper controls. Not only do students gain insight from the scien(cid:415) fi c principles therein; they also learn to communicate those principles to
their peers and visitors to the Expo. This year, our Middle School Science Olympiad Team fi nished second in the State of Florida and, for the fi rst
(cid:415) me, par(cid:415) cipated in the Na(cid:415) onal Science Olympiad Compe(cid:415) (cid:415) on in Dayton, Ohio. Our robo(cid:415) cs classes have expanded, now including compe(cid:415) (cid:415) on
in First Robo(cid:415) cs, another outstanding technology and engineering program.
The recent addi(cid:415) on of the Malone Schools Online Network brings new science and technology elec(cid:415) ves to our curriculum, including Organic
Chemistry, Meteorology, Advanced Programming, and advanced mathema(cid:415) cs classes. Approximately 100 students from ten diff erent Malone
Consor(cid:415) um Schools will be par(cid:415) cipa(cid:415) ng in the MSON program for 2013-2014.
Recognizing the outstanding resources in science and technology research in the Central Florida area, two of our faculty members, Lali DeRosier
and Mike Arney, have taken on the responsibility of coordina(cid:415) ng internships and independent study projects for our students. This summer, fi ve
of our students will be serving as interns at the Sanford Burnham Ins(cid:415) tute, and ini(cid:415) al discussions have taken place to establish a partnership with
research laboratories at the University of Central Florida.
The advancement of science and technology is rapid. The impact upon our society and culture is profound, and the importance of a sound
understanding of science has never been more important. My deep thanks to Department Chair Dennis Bluge and to all our science teachers for
their role in con(cid:415) nuing the legacy and vision for science educa(cid:415) on at Trinity Prep.
3
4
photos by Christine Shepard
Giving Science Context and Texture
A
s a teacher, I never expected to fi nd myself “on the clock,” balanced on a pla(cid:414) orm astern a research vessel, photographing my
students as they took car(cid:415) lage and muscle biopsies of a 7-foot (cid:415) ger shark. I suppose I should have been worried about being carried
off by a wave, but my a(cid:425) en(cid:415) on was more focused on keeping my camera dry. This is hardly a standard classroom experience, but
let me back up...
When I started at Trinity Prep in 1998, students followed a rigorous, but predictable, path for their science educa(cid:415) on. As a faculty,
we were able to project numbers and schedules for each course without much diffi culty. Occasionally, an intrepid young scien(cid:415) st would
pursue a summer internship or a science camp. This year looks very diff erent. The demand for science elec(cid:415) ves is higher than ever, and
many students are taking two science classes at a (cid:415) me during the regular school year. The gradua(cid:415) on requirements have not changed: s(cid:415) ll
just three years of science to graduate. But students are pursuing science with an academic rigor I haven’t seen before - and that’s just in
their classes. Trinity Prep has always off ered a science educa(cid:415) on steeped in tradi(cid:415) on inside the classroom, but our teachers and students
are now beginning to harness their enthusiasm for science to help them explore other opportuni(cid:415) es. The types of things our students
can do are limited only by their willingness to par(cid:415) cipate. Opportuni(cid:415) es to explore science, both in the classroom and off campus, have
been growing steadily over the last few years as many ins(cid:415) tu(cid:415) ons expand their science, technology, engineering, and mathema(cid:415) cs (STEM)
outreach into the community.
5
by Lali DeRosier
Giving Science Context and Texture
con(cid:415) nued
crystallized when they worked alongside graduate students, quickly
responding to commands and calling out data for the maximum safety
of the animal they were handling.
Shark tagging wasn’t the only fi eld experience our students
had this year. Jonathan Gray took a group of students from the AP
Environmental Science class to Jekyll Island, off the coast of Georgia.
The 4H Center, in partnership with the University of Georgia, off ers
students a concentrated curriculum over several days. Classes in
coastal and salt marsh ecology provide important context for many
of the concepts the students cover in their class during the school
year.
Right in our own backyard, the Environmental Science classes
were invited to collaborate with the eff orts to resolve the invasive
hydrilla plant problem plaguing Lake Martha and Lake Burke(cid:425) . This
massive eff ort to survey and treat the lakes culminated in a community
restora(cid:415) on event in the spring to reintroduce na(cid:415) ve species to the
lake habitat.
On other occasions, it was easier to bring the research into
the classroom. Dr. Dennis McGillicuddy, a researcher at the Woods
Hole Oceanographic Ins(cid:415) tute in Massachuse(cid:425) s, came to speak to
the Environmental Studies and Animal Diversity classes about his
research with red (cid:415) des. A fascina(cid:415) ng combina(cid:415) on of fl uid dynamics,
Early in 2012, I followed up on a chance mee(cid:415) ng at a conference oceanography, and marine biology, Dr. McGillicuddy’s research is a
with researcher David Shiff man from the University of Miami. He perfect illustra(cid:415) on of how the path to a career in science does not
told me about fi eld trips with my alma mater, Mari(cid:415) me and Science always take a direct route. With degrees in engineering and physics,
Technology Academy (MAST), where high school students were Dr. McGillicuddy gave a fascina(cid:415) ng presenta(cid:415) on on the causes of
invited to spend the day catching and tagging sharks with the R.J. harmful algal blooms and how fl uid dynamics can be used to study
Dunlap Research Lab in the Florida Keys. The research is part of an and predict when they will occur.
eff ort to determine shark popula(cid:415) ons and track migratory pa(cid:425) erns As students are wrapping up their academic year, they are
globally. Certain species of shark, like mako and hammerhead, are making plans for the summer months, and those plans include
tagged with radio-tracking devices that relay the shark’s loca(cid:415) on from science. Applica(cid:415) ons to summer science camps, both in Florida and
anywhere in the world as its dorsal fi n breaks the surface. Other more at universi(cid:415) es around the country, are increasing every year. More
common species are marked with “spaghe(cid:427) tags” and fi shermen than a dozen students applied to the Sanford-Burnham Research
are recruited as “ci(cid:415) zen scien(cid:415) sts” to report the sharks when they Internship Program, now in its second formal year. Five of our
are caught. Sharks tagged in the Florida Keys have been tracked as students will be placed in labs, where they will have the opportunity
far away as Morocco. In addi(cid:415) on to car(cid:415) lage and muscle samples, to learn about cu(cid:427) ng-edge technologies in histology, metabolomics,
sstudent teams record several size and protein synthesis. This summer, they will work directly with
“
The constant struggle of any mmeasurements and perform health principal inves(cid:415) gators at the Sanford-Burnham Lake Nona facility in
tea cher is to fi nd a way to make ccchecks to make sure the sharks are the Cardiovascular Pathbiology Program and the Metabolic Signaling
iin good condi(cid:415) on throughout the and Disease Program. In the fall, I will be asking these students to
dry facts come alive.
pprocedure. The en(cid:415) re process takes share their experience with their peers and their teachers in brief,
Nothing gives science context aaabout six minutes. With David’s symposium-style presenta(cid:415) ons, so that other students can make
and texture like experiencing it hhelp, and a volley of emails, I was informed choices about whether that type of science opportunity
” aaable to take Trinity Prep students is right for them.
in the fi eld...
ttto Miami to par(cid:415) cipate in one-day The constant struggle of any teacher is to fi nd a way to make
eeexcursions. That’s how I came to fi nd dry facts come alive. Nothing gives science context and texture
myself inches from the business end of an apex predator snapping like experiencing it in the fi eld, or like talking with researchers who
pictures and hoping the salt water didn’t ruin the shots. synthesize theorems into solu(cid:415) ons for real world problems. As I
Research is the heart of science, and there simply is no subs(cid:415) tute fi nalize plans this week for a three-day shark tagging trip to Broad
for experiencing it in the fi eld. Interac(cid:415) ng with graduate students Key in the summer, I can’t ignore that these experiences are possible
and principal inves(cid:415) gators, our students were able to experience the because I am fortunate enough to teach in an environment that
intersec(cid:415) on of knowledge, technology, outreach, and environmental values the applica(cid:415) on of science and the richness that all of these
stewardship. It happened as they divided into teams and delegated contextual experiences give to facts and theorems. When you smell
tasks for sampling and measurements. It took shape listening to like a shark at the end of your school day, you’ve been doing science,
how their data would be used in publica(cid:415) ons and future research. It and everyone knows it.
6
Q&A LALI DEROSIER
WITH
In an interview with TPS science teacher Lali DeRosier,
readers get an inside look at her role as the
Carol Denicole Endowed Chair of Science and the exci(cid:415) ng
developments within the Trinity Prep science curriculum.
WOULD YOU TELL TRINITY PREP READERS A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF
AND WHAT CALLED YOU TO TEACH SCIENCE?
I have been a teacher all my life. We moved around a lot when
I was a kid because my parents were s(cid:415) ll in medical school.
I pretty much lived at the lab through elementary school.
School was a way of life. My parents were constantly reading
and studying. Because science was the thing they understood
the best, that’s what I was surrounded with as a child. I was
that kid that read the encyclopedia. My high school friends
have jokingly referred to my Schoolbus Lecture Series, where I
would expound on whatever topic was occupying my mind at
the moment. When we fi nally se(cid:425) led in Miami, I was fortunate
enough to go to a magnet high school for mari(cid:415) me science called
MAST Academy. The teachers there were enthusias(cid:415) c and very
knowledgeable. I had a very rich schooling experience and I
a(cid:425) ribute it wholly to the passion and exper(cid:415) se of my teachers.
MAST was about more than the classroom. We were in this
amazing environment on Virginia Key, and the school took full
advantage of it. Science, for me, was never dry. My teachers who can communicate science well – who can be interpreters
worked hard to give it all context. for their academic knowledge – are going to stand out. For
research ins(cid:415) tu(cid:415) ons, science communica(cid:415) on is a key element
CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT COME WITH
BEING APPOINTED THE CAROL DENICOLE ENDOWED CHAIR OF for garnering support, acquiring funds, and educa(cid:415) ng the public.
SCIENCE? People who can communicate science are going to be in high
The Endowed Chair posi(cid:415) on is really more like a grant or a demand. The way that social media (Facebook, Twi(cid:425) er, tumblr,
fellowship. I proposed to develop a science wri(cid:415) ng curriculum etc.) is evolving to be included in academic and professional
to be integrated into the science classes over a fi ve year period. spheres is very interes(cid:415) ng. Social media is becoming serious
This fi rst year involved a lot of research. I talked to other business – it isn’t just for fun.
teachers, college professors, and professional science writers TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE TRENDS FROM ABOVE, ESPECIALLY
about science communica(cid:415) on and what they would like to see THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA, WHAT CHANGES DO YOU FORESEE IN
in students going into university. The next two years, I will be THE TRINITY PREP SCIENCE CURRICULUM?
looking at curricula specifi cally developed for science wri(cid:415) ng With the 1-to-1 laptop program, integra(cid:415) on is the key. Students
at the high school level, as well as the wri(cid:415) ng objec(cid:415) ves in the that graduate with a facility for naviga(cid:415) ng online communica(cid:415) on
Next Genera(cid:415) on Science Standards (NGSS) and the Common will have a clear advantage. As technology evolves, modes
Core Standards. Because all my classes next year are a mixed of communica(cid:415) on will as well, and we need to be prepared
group of upper classmen, I will be able to assess wri(cid:415) ng at to embrace those modes in our classrooms. Nothing will
diff erent age levels. truly replace the dynamic of a face-to-face classroom, but
DESCRIBE THE EMERGING TRENDS IN SCIENTIFIC EDUCATION AND we will need to start thinking of online communica(cid:415) on as
WHICH TRENDS ARE YOU ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN AND WHY? (I.E. complementary to, instead of in addi(cid:415) on to, the class work.
SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATIONS)
F INALLY, WHAT HAVE BEEN THE HIGHLIGHTS WORKING AS A SCIENCE
At the college and graduate level, there is a strong push to have
TEACHER AT TPS OVER THE PAST FIFTEEN YEARS?
students who understand the process of science. The Internet
Being able to develop the Animal Diversity courses from the
has changed the way we access informa(cid:415) on, and researchers are
ground up was very rewarding. I don’t know of many schools
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7777
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA 2013
P
ardis Sabe(cid:415) , class of 1993, has been
selected as this year’s Dis(cid:415) nguished
Alumna. She balances her career in
genomics and epidemiology with letting
loose as the lead singer of the alterna(cid:415) ve rock
band Thousand Days. Sabe(cid:415) achieved great
academic accomplishments even before
entering the workforce. She was a Rhodes
Scholar at the University of Oxford and
graduated summa cum laude from Harvard
Medical School.
Sabe(cid:415) ’s research involves working in a
lab to study and inves(cid:415) gate various infec(cid:415) ous
diseases. Malaria, Lassa fever, Ebola, and
cholera are all put under the microscope to be
studied and analyzed in the laboratory. Sabe(cid:415)
and her team develop and use algorithms
to gather data from these microbes in an
a(cid:425) empt to understand how they behave and
cause mortali(cid:415) es and to help be(cid:425) er defend
ourselves against them.
Sabe(cid:415) also completed studies in gene(cid:415) c
research. She developed several tests that
could be used to fi nd diff erent gene(cid:415) c variants
that normally are found on haplotypes, or
unique arrangements of alleles that form
together to make linked genes. Through her
research she was able to track advantageous
muta(cid:415) ons over the course of human history.
Sabeti has recently returned to the
United States a(cid:332) er spending (cid:415) me in Nigeria.
She studied Lassa fever, a disease caused by
a virus that results in fl u-like symptoms and
even death. The center that Sabe(cid:415) worked at
is one of the only facili(cid:415) es in the world that
cooperates with diff erent groups to research
Lassa fever. Her visit was carried out with
the goal of improving and con(cid:415) nuing the
development of research at the site, to help
secure the safety of future genera(cid:415) ons who
may be at risk at of Lassa fever.
Outside of rigorous scien(cid:415) fi c studies,
Sabeti competes in a volleyball league
composed of different scientists and
exhibits her vocal talent as the lead singer of
Thousand Days, a band that has had success
with the CD “Radiate,” playing on over 70
radio sta(cid:415) ons across the country, and songs
photo by Oliver Douliery
8