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VOLUME 16 • ISSUE 5 NEWS • MARCH 13, 2015
ashi gautam
SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE AND THE PUBLIC
HEART OF ARTNESS (TOP) Shannon Richardson (11) was inspired by the movement waves to make sculptures displayed in Nichols. (MIDDLE) Doreene Kang’s (11) drawing portfolio portrayed the human anatomy in different scenarios. (LOWER MIDDLE) Rachel Wu (12) explored the connection between humans and data in her portfolio. (BOTTOM) Artists, students, faculty and family celebrated the exhibition with cake and refreshments.
show date is invaluable to their process.” In the process of creating their AP Studio Art students presentportfolios, AP Studio Art students ed their portfolios in the AP Studio first have to think of a comprehensive Art Exhibition on Feb. 26. theme that their portfolio will repreIn the AP Studio Art course, sent. Then, these students begin to fostudents can focus on 2D Design, 3D cus on one aspect of their three portDesign, or Drawing. Their portfolios folios to complete and include works focused on use different materials breadth, concentration, and to create their artworks. quality. Seeing [the “I am exploring The exhibition featured pieces] on the relationship beeach student’s concentratween humans and anition portfolio and included the wall, mals,” Kelly Wang (12), a range of pieces including thinking who used digital media sculptures and drawings. 12 to make most of her art works are required for the about pieces, said. 2D and Drawing portfolios sequencing While there were and 12 digital images for the 12 APSA students last Digital section. Sculptors and titles, year, 23 students signed turn in 8 works due to the and writing up for the AP Studio increased time put into creArt class this year and ating sculptures. statements three teachers are teachAlthough the students with a ing the course this year. presented half of their conUnlike in past years, the centration portfolios in the definitive advertising poster for exhibition, their final portshow date is the exhibition was crefolios will include up to 25 ated by an Upper school works of art depending on invaluable to student, Ramzi Jashan which art topic the students [the artists’] (12). Jaap Bongers, the choose. 3D Design teacher, no“It is very important process. ticed a change in this for an AP student to study year’s exhibition. how their work serves as the JOSHUA “One huge differvisible edge of their underMARTINEZ ence is that last year we lying concept that links the had one sculptor and works,” Joshua Martinez, this year we have six,” one of the APSA teachers, Bongers said. “In a way said. “Seeing them on the wall, thinkfor the students it is easier because ing about sequencing and titles, and when you do AP Studio Art 3D, you writing statements with a definitive
TALK SCIENCE TO ME Andrew Jin (12) presents his project on computational genetics. Jin developed a method to determine areas of recent genetic adaptation using public genome sequences.
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First place Intel STS
“I call Andrew a wunderkind, one of the young, amazing, brilliant students that get you excited about science,” said Dr. Sabeti, with whom Andrew conducted his research in computational genetics. “What he accomplished in 6 weeks in the lab rivaled what a graduate student or post-doctorate could do, let alone anyone that young. He’s a natural scientist.” His tests are more effective than current computational genetics methods, not just targeting single diseases but attempting to understand the way that disease affects humans. “One of the biggest challenges in interpreting the thousands of human genome sequences in public databases today is how to convert this data into actionable knowledge,” said Dr. Claire Fraser, STS judge and Director at Institute for Genome Sciences at University of Maryland School of Medicine. “Andrew Jin’s new algorithm moves us a significant step closer to this goal.” Harker sent three finalists; Andrew, Rohith Kuditipudi (12), and Steven Wang (12); to the national finals in Washington D.C, comprising 7.5 percent of all the finalists nationally. While there, judges interviewed the three over multiple days. “The judges purposely ask you these really open-ended questions,
not just about your research area but about any topic at all,” Andrew said. “But sitting in the hallways and talking to the other researchers about why certain natural phenomena are the way they are was definitely my favorite part of the trip.” Andrew, the co-president of Harker’s Research Club, began his journey with Harker research at a young age. “When Andrew was starting his research he actually went to the Research Symposium when he was in 8th grade and learned from the seniors,” said Andrew’s father Shu Jin. “He basically followed their footsteps. We’re very grateful to the community.” Harker’s science department and research programs aim to facilitate students’ research experience by providing feedback on projects and presentations. “I think there’s been a lot of help fine-tuning what he’s done,” Upper School biology teacher Mike Pistacchi said, who reviewed Andrew’s paper before it was submitted. “But that being said, I think that due credit needs to go to him for all of his hard work--he earned this.” And what’s he doing to celebrate? This weekend, he’ll be canoeing and camping with his Boy Scout troop.
learn from each other.” Shannon Richardson (11) was inspired by the movement and power of a wave to create 3D designs of waves in her portfolio. Her concentration at the exhibition included a hanging wave made with square shapes. “I thought about waves because I had been in a surfing accident in the summer,” Shannon said. “In my life, things go up and down and I thought waves would be perfect because I like the way they look and they have a lot of power behind them.” Many Upper School students attended the exhibition during long lunch to view the portfolios. Refreshments such as lemonade and cake were also offered at the exhibition. “I thought the exhibition was inspiring and I really enjoyed the subject topics,” Natasha Santhanam (11) said. “The art pieces are things you don’t normally see everyday.” When asked about what he would want to change about the exhibition for next year, Martinez expressed his desire to allow the students to have a bigger role in the planning process. “Specifically, I am interested in the students having as much ownership of the exhibition as possible,” Martinez said. “I am planning on removing myself from some parts of the process next year to give control to the artists.” The AP Studio Art students will submit their completed portfolios to the CollegeBoard on May 8.
CONCENTRATIONS Jai Ahuja (12) observes a piece created by drawing student Sophia Luo (11) at the AP Studio Art exhibit. The exhibit featured 23 students’ work.
Student performs at regional Shakespeare competition priscilla pan features editor
Maxwell (MC) Smitherman (11) performed his own interpretation of Shakespeare’s Berowne’s monologue and Sonnet 65 at the Regional Shakespeare Competition in Archbishop Riordan High School last Saturday. After a round of school-wide competition between 12 performers, MC was chosen to represent the Upper School’s first participation at the regional competition. He auditioned with the same Berowne’s monologue from “Love’s Labor’s Lost” that he performed at the actual competition. While he did not place in the regional competition, MC said that he was able to learn from other performers while he was there. T h e Shakespeare competition brought together a dozen students who auditioned for the regional match. “It was great to see [the students] step up on their own time and create a mini piece of theater and to use their body, their voice, their heart, and their minds MAXWELL so fully,” PerSMITHERMAN (11) forming Arts teacher Jeffrey Draper said. MC regularly practiced his monologue and sonnet with Draper during his Shakespeare in Performance Class and extra help sessions. “What’s great is that what he’s working on applies directly to the [Shakespeare in Performance Class], so the class gets to work with him together as he prepares,” Draper said. While MC has previously per-
I want to learn as much from the other people who have gotten into this as I can. I want to figure out how I can become better from it.
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AP Studio Art Exhibit
Exhibit features more student artists than ever in variety of styles, disciplines
MC’S LABORS WON MC Smitherman (11) practices his monologue with his Shakespeare in Performance teacher, Jeffrey Draper. MC performed a monologue and sonnet the Regional Shakespeare Competition in Archbishop Riordan High School last Saturday.
formed in several plays, this was his first time performing solo. “It’s more personal [and] individual[ly] focused on how I can put myself into these single positions in a play rather than a whole play,” MC said. “I prefer shows because I like interactions with other people on stage and the chemistry between two characters as opposed to something where it’s just me talking.” Students from the region, all who have passed through school wide competitions, gather together to witness unique approaches to performing as well as a “celebration of Shakespeare,” according to Draper. “I don’t enjoy having artists compete; it’s an interesting choice,” Draper said. “But, I like the idea of a bunch of artists getting together and watching each other play.” Before the competition, MC mentioned his main objective was to see his
fellow actors’ interpretations of Shakespeare. “Hopefully, I get to interact with everyone else that’s there, and I can watch their performances,” MC said. “I want to learn as much from the other people who have gotten into this as I can. I want to figure out how I can become better from it.” Charles Shuttleworth initially brought the competition to the Upper School this year after participating in its judging in his former New York school. “I really enjoy the competition,” Shuttleworth said. “It improves students’ understanding and appreciation for Shakespeare. Between their talent and their drive, I thought they were likely to do well. I think the momentum will build [in the years to come].” Shuttleworth hopes to make the Shakespeare competition into an annual competition in the future.