5 minute read
In Class
A snapshot of what Kimball Union students are studying
What’s Going On in This Graph?
Math students learn graphical literacy
Math teacher Beth Gilmartin is always thinking about how to deliver information that goes beyond mathematical equations, often bringing the world to the doorstep of her classroom in Fitch. “One of the key ideas is teaching 21st-century skills and thinking about graphical literacy,” she says. “The truth is not all the kids are going to use a quadratic formula in their lives, but being able to look at graphs and interpret them is really important.”
To help prepare her students, Gilmartin’s Algebra I class participated in The New York Times’ weekly feature, “What’s Going On in This Graph?”
In February, the class examined “World Cities’ Air Pollution” graphs that show the air quality for 12 major cities from November 2018 to November 2019. Prompts such as “What do you notice?” and “What do you wonder?” “This is teaching encouraged the students to analyze the information and share their kids ways of comments online, where discussions getting stories. are moderated by teachers, industry professionals, and a collaborator from the American Statistical It’s not just about math, but Association. also about social Gilmartin says that the students took particular note of air pollution science.” spikes in Delhi, India, and San Francisco, California. Correlating the cities and the dates, they were able to piece together a larger picture of how life on the planet impacts air pollution. They took note of a crop-burning cycle in India’s capital and the impact of wildfires on air pollution in San Francisco. “This is teaching kids ways of getting stories. It’s not just about math, but also about social science to some degree,” says Gilmartin. “They’re learning good quantitative reasoning.”
Each week, The Times circles back to share insights from the student conversations and reflections. On February 25, the paper’s website cited Teegan ’24, who crafted her own headline to capture the story of the air pollution graphs: “Air Pollution, the Silent Killer.”
“Everyone is going to have to read and interpret graphs,” says Gilmartin. “The skills we’re developing can be used in all sorts of applications in the real world.” K
An Interdisciplinary Odyssey
Students chart the velocities of the epic poem’s journeys.
Two ninth-grade classes— Literature of the Quest and Conceptual Physics—combined forces for an interdisciplinary class period to chart the velocities of Odysseus’ journeys.
Jenny Blue P’24, the Peter Holland ’57 Lionel Mosher Chair of English who teaches Literature of the Quest, provided students with the steps along Odysseus’ journey; while science teacher Jesse Mathers, who teaches Conceptual Physics, posed questions related to Odysseus’ velocity.“The disciplines aligned well since the epic poem provides an application for the formula that students in conceptual physics are learning: velocity=displacement/ time,” says Blue.
They collaborated to tackle questions that drew from both disciplines.
Mathers offers an example from the course: Scylla and Charybdis travel to Helios (perhaps near modern-day Malta). The journey continues as they sail to Helios’ island (Thrinacia) through stormy seas. Upon arriving in Thrinacia, they encounter Helios’ sacred cattle. The stormy seas slow their travel and they are only able to travel at a speed of 25 kilometers each day. How long (in hours) did it take them to make their escape from the horrors of Scylla and Charybdis if they made it 290 kilometers fighting against the sea? K
Visual Art Teacher and Dean of Faculty Julie Haskell P’13 assigned students to create a “close-up self-portrait” in her Advanced Studio Art class with stunning results. Alissa ’22 used pastel for her 12-by-12-inch piece.
Scholar Programs
Take a Deeper Dive
KUA’s three Scholar Programs prepare students for lives of leadership in areas of critical importance to our world. Working closely with KUA faculty, students explore a passion or interest through a two-year course of study. Each program combines coursework, community service, and experiential learning that culminates in a Senior Capstone project.
Students don’t need to pursue a future major or career in their program area to benefit from a Scholar Program experience. They graduate with problemsolving skills, creativity, critical thinking, and initiative—essential skills for college and the future of work. Students may apply to a Scholar Program in the spring of their sophomore year, and new juniors may apply at the start of their first year.
In an increasingly globalized world, you can become an active citizen of our global community through the Global Scholar Program. You’ll develop an understanding of the economic, political, cultural, and social issues facing our world. The program is structured in three key areas: academic, experiential, and application. Students admitted into the program maintain a rigorous academic course load with an emphasis on courses international in nature. Instruction in language will round out your academic experience. Coursework is brought to life through travel, experiences, and immersion in our global society. Scholars benefit from KUA’s participation in the Global Alliance for Innovative Learning, which offers exchanges and conferences for students in eight countries. Through active participation in events on and off campus, Global Scholars develop communication skills and present their findings through a culminating Senior Capstone project.
Arts Scholar Program
Do you enjoy learning through the creation and exploration of art? As an Arts Scholar, you’ll navigate a unique path that will enrich your education and give you the tools and creative voice to ask difficult questions and solve complex problems. Through coursework, special arts seminars, and independent study, the Arts Scholar Program develops curious learners who engage the world with fresh and original perspectives. The Art Scholar Program is structured to ground students in five areas: theory of art, creation/experience, community service, leadership, and appreciation. Arts Scholars present their work through a culminating Senior Capstone project.
STEM Scholar Program
If you’re interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), you can tackle real-world challenges through the STEM Scholar Program. The program is structured in three key areas: academic, experiential, and application. Traditional coursework is paired with academic exploration through research and lab work. You’ll also participate in substantive fieldwork through internships and research programs, an honors course in design thinking, as well as STEM-related lectures and events, that all culminate in a Senior Capstone project.
