Around the Virtual Green

Learning Bio, Block by Block, with Doc

Biology teacher Dr. Katie Malcolm kept class interesting and engaging with her video series, Bio Block with Doc, which she made with the help of her videographer fiancé. Using red licorice, gummy bears, and toothpicks, Dr. Malcolm illustrates how DNA contains the genetic code for all living things. “The videos kept me entertained and attentive while learning biology, which has become my favorite class,” reflected Nardos Solomon ‘23. Scan with your cell phone camera to watch a lesson.

Eighth Grade English Students Escape a Desert Island

Students in Mark Luff, Hon.’s and Heather Dupont, Hon.’s 8th grade English classes were tasked with working in groups of four to work their way through puzzles to escape the fictional desert island from Lord of the Flies by William Golden. Last year, Mrs. Dupont and Mr. Luff worked together on a real breakout game, which they decided to recreate for a virtual environment last spring.

The Junto MacBean Bowl Debates Held Virtually

In the first round, eight teams debated in virtual breakout rooms on whether the federal government should temporarily mandate the wearing of face masks in public. In the second round, the four winning teams debated whether the United States should abolish the Electoral College. The final two teams debated whether the United States should enact a universal basic income. As is tradition, Junto alumni served as judges and named Lauren Bassett ‘20 and Molly Limaye ‘21 this year’s winners. The fourteen alumni guest judges were: Jessica Bai '16, Meagan Berry '09, Jack Brinker '16, Bella Echevarria '16, Jack Freese '11, Brad Hahn '11, Kyle Henson '11, Schuyler Kresge '18, Jimmy McEntee '11, Michael Quinlan '14, Emma Sargent '18, Wilson Smerconish '16, Grace Smith '19, and Chris Stein '16.

ER Doctor Breaks Down COVID-19 for AP Stats

In between her hectic shifts as an emergency room medical resident, Dr. Jackie Anderson visited the AP Statistics virtual classroom. She shared her experiences on the frontline treating patients with COVID-19, statistics associated with the pandemic, and early results of retrospective studies. Students then analyzed the spread of the disease locally and globally, and compared statistics, including incubation time, of the seasonal flu to COVID-19.

Learning About the Life Cycle

With the help of butterflies, scarlet runner beans, sunflowers, and baby chicks, Kindergarten students made daily observations, drew pictures, and wrote like scientists in their "Living Things" journals. This year, each teacher kept their caterpillars, and students could observe the changes during their online classes. Students were also each mailed bean and sunflower seeds to grow their own plants, and Teaching Assistant Myonie Williamson set up a live stream video from her house so that families could view the progress of chicks hatching from their eggs.

Chapel Continues to Serve Students

In an effort to keep students’ connection to Chapel strong during distance learning, school chaplains posted a few Chapel reflections each week and held virtual Chapel services. The Vestry and Chapel Councils continued to partner with school chaplains to plan and produce inspiring services. Students also continued to complete community service projects, such as sewing or 3-D printing face shields, donating food and other supplies, and sending letters of appreciation to healthcare workers and get-well cards to elderly members of our community. Read more on page 49.

Quaran-things Documented by Young Photographers

Lower School art students were tasked with demonstrating their most essential quarantine items through a Gregg Segal-inspired self-portrait that captures this time in history. Scan with your cell phone camera to see the photographs.

Perfect Pitch

The transition to an online environment this spring did not stop EA’s talented vocalists and musicians from delivering moving performances for the community. Scan with your cell phone camera to watch.

Three Cappie Awards

The Domino Club’s fall production of Walk Two Moons won three Cappies awards. Arnie Shiva ‘20 won for Comic Actor, Katie Locke ‘22 won for Lead Actress, and the overall production was awarded “Best Play.”

Dora Khayatt Competition

Students submitted paintings, drawings, sculpture, woodworking, and photography that were completed throughout the school year, including pieces made during the shift to remote learning. Scan with your cell phone camera to visit the online gallery to view the artwork and the announcement of this year’s winners.

EA Boats Continue to Race Virtually

“The rowing team is still competing!” explained Varsity Rowing Coach Molly Konopka, Hon. Boat company Rowers Choice set up virtual racing for teams throughout the country this spring. EA’s U19 Boys’ 4x boat won the final round of virtual racing in the Brentwood Race Series. “This virtual ergometer rowing race has reinvigorated the purpose and drive to improve for our team by giving us goals and competition against other schools and clubs,” explained Co-Captain Owen Maier ’20.

Fiddler on the Roof Virtual Production

The cast and crew of the Domino Club’s spring musical, Fiddler on the Roof, were halfway through rehearsing for the production when campus closed in March. The club worked hard through the remainder of the school year to compile a video with some rehearsal footage and athome performances. Scan with your cell phone camera to watch the virtual production.

Inter-Ac Honors for Two 2020 Grads

Caroline Burt ‘20 & Maurcus McDaniel ‘20 were awarded the Inter-Ac Athletic Directors’ Awards for their outstanding play and commitment to academics. Caroline was captain of the tennis, squash, and lacrosse teams and will play lacrosse for Yale University. Maurcus captained the football team and played on the basketball team. He will play football at The University of Pennsylvania.