ACADEMICS
THE MERCY INNOVATION TECH TEAM (MITT) is a group of students that act as a mini tech company for Mercy. These students work with different departments, including Advancement and Marketing, teachers, and more to provide tech support, materials, training, and programming. The team’s core mission follows the design thinking format, which includes a growth mindset and an iterative process. As the leader of the team, I am trying to create a real-world experience of what it’s like to work at a company. Students do not need to understand how to use technology. They just have to have a positive attitude that they can figure it out! —Lindsay Stewart, Science Teacher
CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING Creative Problem Solving is an opportunity for Mercy Girls to "build stuff." The important things we learn are to be persistent, to work together, and stick-to-it-iveness. The class includes work with 3D printing, robots, sewing machines, Arduinos, and electronics. However, with Distance Learning in place, we thought we could take advantage of the need to record results of projects and work with the materials we have at home. This ball run/Rube Goldberg machine was built by students using materials found around the house. Thanks to all the girls for contributing and their caregivers for putting up with the chaos for a day or two! You can see more on the video on our Facebook page. —Sarah Murphy, Library Coordinator
NATIONAL HONORS SOCIETY Congratulations to our new National Honors Society members! In October, Mercy students were initiated as they took their oath and had their pinning and candle ceremony via Zoom. The Mercy community is so proud of them! “NHS is the National Honors Society. Students must apply and be accepted by a group of teachers on the basis of their academic standing, service to community, leadership, and character. This year, we had Sister Diane Clyne, RSM as our keynote speaker. Sister Diane has been a Sister of Mercy for over 50 years, and she has been instrumental in her service to Spanish-speaking countries, particularly Honduras and El Salvador.” —Thomas Wootten, Teacher Social Studies Department AP Government/Economics American Government and Economic THE OAKS WINTER 2020 9
