Tag: Research

Python Playtime

Heidi L’Heureux (kindergarten teacher) tells the story of her kindergarten class’ learning adventure leading up to and after a visit from an unusual pet.

Squeals and laughter came from the kindergarten classroom as our young learners pounded, kneaded and rolled bread dough, forming the sticky balls into long squiggly snakes. “It looks like Mojave!” shouted one child. Mojave, Kate’s python, had come to our classroom earlier that day. His long awaited visit had come after weeks of investigating and learning about snakes.

“Why are you learning about snakes?” many have asked. The story goes like this… Continue reading →

Tokyo Institute of Technology Visits Biology Class

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Beth Crissy (HS Science Department Chair) details a recent visit by professors and students  from the Tokyo Institute of Technology (TIT) to our high school bioengineering class.

On September 14, our bioengineering class and International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Competition Team welcomed another iGem Team, comprised of Tokyo Institute of Technology professors Dr. Masayuki Yamamura (Professor of Engineering) and Dr. Nobutaka Nakashima (Professor of Molecular Biology) as well as three of their undergraduate students. Continue reading →

Kotoba-no-jyugyo: A Class for Words and Language

Mariko Yokosuka and Kyoko Takano (Japan Center Co-Directors) recently introduced teachers and students to a unique workshop called “Kotoba-no-jyugyo: A Class for Words and Language,” available only through the Yomiuri Education Network, a non-profit educational support organization linked to Yomiuri Shimbun (Newspaper). The opportunity to bring this workshop to our students is the result of a new partnership between ASIJ and the Yomiuri Group, which is comprised of entities such as the Yomiuri Shimbun, Yomiuri Amusement Park, Nippon Television, Yomiuri Culture Schools and the Yomiuri Giants. Continue reading →

AP Seminar Continues to Grow

Students in AP Seminar doubled in number for the 2015-16 school year,  with thirty students opting to take the class. Although AP Seminar is currently an elective credit, students are beginning to understand the transformative power it has on their learning. With twenty skills to master by the end of each year, students take time to reflect through a growth portfolio.

Students share highlights of their growth and development through AP Seminar. Continue reading →

Synthetic Biology Stands Out

Beth Crissy (High School Science Teacher) shares details about our Synthetic Biology course and what makes our science program stand out.

“We are looking for creative minds that have had the chance to work, fail and investigate at a more complex research based model.” This quote from William E, Bentley, PhD and head of the Department of Bioengineering from the University of Maryland, was preceded by a challenge to schools: identify or create something that sets your science programs apart. Professor Bentley emphasized that all incoming students to his college have had similar success in standard AP or IB programs. ASIJ’s Synthetic Biology course is one response to the challenge raised by Professor Bentley. Continue reading →