What Sets Us Apart: Research & leadership

Research and Leadership Initiative

Prepares Students for Success at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy Written by Beth Miller . Photography by Daniel Smyth

Back row: CHCA Head of School Randy Brunk, Emma Treadway, Liza Reid, CHCA Research & Leadership Teacher Jody Petersen, Sydni Schramm, Anna Van Jura, Magnified Giving Representative Betsy Wilson. Front row: Steve Jester, Bruno Schardong.

Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (CHCA) students receive a solid foundation of knowledge and hands-on experience through countless academic, curricular, and social opportunities. One class in particular is uniquely positioning students for success in the essential fields of research and leadership.

This is the sixth year of CHCA’s Research and Leadership class, held in the Martha S. Lindner Upper School Campus.

Rocco Rotello, PhD, recently joined CHCA as the Upper School teacher to instruct the research portion of the class. Dr. Rotello brings an impressive breadth of expertise as his background includes a PhD in experimental pathology from the University of Colorado, research training at the Harvard University Medical School as a post-doctoral fellow, and more than 15 years leading the biologics/monoclonal antibody effort for Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals.

“Research is a process that occurs in all disciplines, so I will expose the students to all areas of research,” says Dr. Rotello.

Students are encouraged to ask questions and make as many independent choices as possible. Dr. Rotello introduces the early stages of hypothesis formation, including the ethics of research, the model, #

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cost, funding, and proposing an idea.

“I can recognize a student’s interest and help lead them into that venue, whether it’s business analytics, sociology, patient research – I want to capture their interest,” he says. “I always promote courageous curiosity.”

In the leadership emphasis of the class, students are introduced to the concept of servant leadership, which Upper School teacher Jody Petersen explains isn’t exclusively a Christian philosophy.

“Servant leadership is crucial for business, medicine, music, art – in every vocation and in every aspect of life,” says Petersen, who teaches the leadership portion of the class. “Students might enter the class reluctant, but they soon realize that there are incredible opportunities that pique their interest in many areas.”

It isn’t a typical class structure. Students don’t read a book in preparation for a test, and note taking is replaced by research, handson learning, and presentations by professionals in various fields, and it does require students to do substantial work. In fact, it is an honors credit due to the amount of effort involved.

The first thing students are challenged to do is write a mission

CHCA’s Dr. Rotello describes the basic research process in health and medical arenas. The goal is to guide students to conduct individual and group research, then present and publish a peer-reviewed article or abstract in the specific discipline they studied.

Research students (from L to R) Charlotte Lee, Julia Stotz and Grace Vanderwoude obtain hands-on experience in basic laboratory practices and the value of accuracy and precision. These skills will later be applied as they continue research in their junior and senior years.

statement about their life’s passion and to learn more about themselves through various exercises and psychological assessments. Leadership skills are developed through an emphasis on the ability to present ideas. Students gain insights by observing professionals and work to apply those skills through various presenting exercises.

“It’s been exciting to be a part of this class and to witness all of the things our students are accomplishing. Watching them get excited and passionate about a topic is inspiring,” says Petersen.

CHCA’s Research and Leadership initiative was triggered by visits to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Arlington, Virginia, and Hathaway Brown School in Shaker Heights, Ohio.

“We wanted to develop our own unique program that allowed students to understand what it means to do independent research and then carry out a research program for multiple years alongside mentors either from our own faculty or the broader community,” says Dean Nicholas, PhD, CHCA’s Upper School principal. “Our vision is to have students presenting at professional meetings, publishing, and developing patents based on their work. We are well on our way.”

Students demonstrate their research and leadership skills by embarking on a unique Leadership Challenge. This competition among students is supported

by Magnified Giving – an educational organization that partners with schools to inspire and engage students in philanthropy.

Research and Leadership students split into two groups with the ultimate goal of investing a $1,000 grant into one non-profit in the community.

“Students research the social causes in our city, decide which non-profit works on those causes, then decide which cause or foundation should receive the grant,” says Petersen.

Each Leadership Challenge group is responsible for contacting agencies, scheduling site visits, interviewing, learning about philanthropy, requesting grant applications, and deciding which cause or foundation has the greatest need.

QUICK FACTS about

Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy Cincinnati’s largest multidenominational learning community for Lower School PK-grade 6 and Upper School 7-12 Robust and engaging Reggio-inspired early learning curriculum for students ages 2+ with expanded facilities opening Fall 2017 Theological Integration across all subjects 100% Upper School student participation in Change our World and Intersession, CHCA’s off-campus experiential learning programs with 6 continents visited 19 A.P. courses with 1/3 of the Class of 2016 earning AP Scholar distinction City’s largest International Student Program Upper School Research & Leadership and Independent Studies programs Robotics team ranked top 5% in the world Business & Entrepreneurial Studies including student-run coffee shop enterprise Nationally recognized aquaponics program v V EN U E

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CHCA Senior Mady Shank promoting her Student Organized Service group for the Hearing Speech and Deaf Center. Mady started this group after awarding them the $1,000 grant she received from Magnified Giving.

Both groups present a thorough, compelling presentation to Hope Hansee’16 was in the Research and Leadership class as a their entire student body who votes on the outcome and awards the sophomore as well and continues to impress with the skills gained in winning non-profit. the class and carried beyond the high school years. Hansee chose to CHCA student Madyson Shank recently helped her group earn study the effect of the length of time a child spends as a part of the a $1,000 grant for the Hearing Speech & Deaf Center of Greater foster care system. This led to a connection with Sarah Beal, PhD, of Cincinnati. Mady shared how hearing loss has personally affected her Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and they proceeded to life through her two siblings who are hearing impaired. Now a senior, develop the research project during Hansee’s junior and senior years.

Mady is using her passion for helping those with hearing impairments “Dr. Beal indicated that Hope’s work was master’s-level, includby creating a Student Organized Service ing the completion of a manuscript for (SOS) group at CHCA. submission to a peer-reviewed journal,” “Our vision is to have students Mady’s sister, Emma, is currently says Petersen. “If published, Hope will enrolled in the Research and Leadership likely be the lead author on the publicapresenting at professional class. “I’m interested in public speaking tion.” Hope is now a freshman attending meetings, publishing, and and getting involved in the communicaWheaton College. developing patents based on their tions field, so this class is going to be so “When universities see that our stuhelpful as I move into my junior and sedents have already engaged in substantial work. We are well on our way.” nior years,” says the CHCA sophomore. research, it puts them into a different – Dean Nicholas, PhD, CHCA Upper “Research gives me an open mind about pool of college applicants,” says Kara what I want to do in the future.”

Ussery, CHCA’s Director of Counseling.

School Principal Christina DelGreco’15 graduated “This is a key factor that can set their apfrom CHCA and is a Biology major at plication apart and show the college their Notre Dame. Christina explains how the prowess in a specific field or the passion class inspired her interest in research; “The Research and Leadership they have for an individual topic.” sophomore class set me up to do aquaponics research with Dr. Savage Success stories like these are only the precipice of what’s to come for the rest of high school. Not only did that opportunity help me in the future. Students equipped with this experience are spreading realize that I have an interest in research, but it also taught me a lot out into various areas of the world and making a meaningful impact about how to actually handle work in research, which came in handy through their work. v this past summer – I had the opportunity to intern at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden’s CREW (Conservation and Research of Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy is located at 11525 Endangered Wildlife) plant lab and work on oak tree conservation Snider Road, Cincinnati, OH 45249. For more information, research projects!” call 513.247.0900 or visit www.chca-oh.org. #

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