Taking Science by Storm

There are over 70 students in Upper School that take GA’s Independent Science Research course.  I am one of them.  Some of us work in labs like Fox Chase and others develop their projects at home or at school.  My project involved wrapping glaciers (really ice blocks) in reflective blankets to reduce their melt.  My lab was my garage.   Two weeks ago, many of us attended the Delaware Valley Science Fair where we competed against hundreds of students representing over 25 schools.  It’s amazing to get to this level of competition because everyone’s projects are worthy of recognition.  Three to four judges stop by each project to then determine which experiments qualify for category awards, special awards, and even scholarships.

GA brought down the house!  Not only did we rack up on the category, special awards, and scholarship monies, but GA now boasts three of its own experimenters will move on to the International Fair.  This is unbelievable and a first for GA to have several attend this fair at one time.  I would be remiss if I did not thank our fearless coordinators and teachers – Dr. J. and Ms. Smith – for our unprecedented success.      

-Michael

Mr. GA

In part with the Relay For Life club, the Mr. GA pageant was organized and held at GA last Thursday. Mr. GA is basically a "beauty pageant" for guys. It may not sound interesting, but throughout the whole show, I could not stop laughing. Erik R. and Jaryn G. were the emcee's for the event, and their hysterical commentary kept things running smoothly. Each contestant (there were quite a few) competed in a number of events, including evening wear, swimsuit, and talent. The judges, comprised of five senior girls, scored each guy out of 10 points. Some of the most memorable events were Matt M.'s "Human Calculator" talent, when he spewed out the answers to difficult multiplication problems before anyone could solve them on a calculator. Along with that, the swimsuit competition will be pretty hard to forget. For me, the most memorable was when Gary S. stuffed ten Peeps in his mouth and ate a spoonful of cinnamon. YUM. Gary ended up winning Mr.GA (along with some bragging rights). I have to give props to all the guys who participated in Mr. GA for a great cause!

-Lauren

Check out Will and Jaryn's GA Adventure!

Check out all four chapters of Will and Jaryn's GA adventure now! Watch them as they tour the Korman Pavilion, new classrooms, the library and run into great friends along the way. 

Improv: When you leave your fears behind....

How often does someone get the opportunity to just let it rip?  Such is the art of improv.  Before spring break, the LS, MS, and US Jazz Ensembles along with the Patriot Select participated in GA’s annual Jazz Cabaret.  The dining hall transformed into an intimate coffeehouse with tables lined with checkerboard tablecloths and lit votive candles twinkling in red glass containers, as the performers’ families and friends enjoyed listening to various musical groups. 

Improv is intimidating at first because in order to be successful at it, all inhibitions must go.  Feeling the rhythm of the music and playing from the heart, without music, of course, makes improv exciting.  Messing up is inevitable but it usually goes unnoticed because there is no set music to follow.  The more you do it, the more comfortable you get.  It is really great.  Everyone should try improv, one way or another!  

-Michael