december 2023
into the unknown: Dark Matter STEM-inar pg. 3
exploring the Ig Nobel Prize pg. 1
CAD: Interview with Mr. Rivera pg. 8
IM1 line design project pg. 6
and more...
TABLE OF
Exploring the Ig Nobel Prize -------------------- 1 Into the Unknown: Dark Matter ------------------ 3 Integrated Math 1 Line Design Project ----------- 6 CAD: An Interview with Mr. Rivera -------------- 8 Famous Birthdays ---------------------------- 12 The Power of Hot Chocolate -------------------14 Sudoku -------------------------------------16
The Other Side of Science: Exploring the
Alex Cox ‘26 You’ve heard of the Nobel Prize, but how about its lesser-known (and arguably more interesting) counterpart, the Ig Nobel Prize? Since 1991, some of the world’s finest scientists and scholars have gathered—usually in Harvard’s Sanders Theatre, but online since 2020—for the presentation of the Ig Nobel Prize. According to its founder Marc Abrahams, the prize, named as a pun on the word “ignoble” (dishonorable), honors “achievements that make people laugh, and then think.” Its recipients are those whose wacky studies investigate surprising niches of science like the validity of the five-second rule, the side effects of swordswallowing, and whether people can swim faster in syrup or in water. The ceremonies typically end with paper plane throwing and the singing of mock opera songs. The 2023 Ig Nobel Prize ceremony occurred on September 14. Here are a few highlights: Jan Zalasiewicz won the Ig Nobel Prize in Chemistry and Geology for his essay explaining why geologists lick rocks. Apparently, it’s a method of separating boneshaped rocks from real fossils: the genuine fossils’ porous texture will stick to the tongue, while normal rocks won’t. Te Faye Yap, Zhen Liu, Anoop Rajappan, Trevor Shimokusu, and Daniel Preston won the Ig Nobel Prize in Mechanical Engineering for their research on necrobotics, a science that uses dead organic matter as robotic parts. They managed to animate dead wolf spiders by injecting air into their internal valve systems, which made their legs function as grippers that could lift 1.3 times their own weight!
science and technology
pg. 1
Christine Pham, Bobak Hedayati, Kiana Hashemi, Ella Csuka, Tiana Mamaghani, Margit Juhasz, Jamie Wikenheiser, and Natasha Mesinkovska won the Ig Nobel Prize in Medicine for discovering that the average person has 120 nose hairs in their left nostril and 112 in their right. They performed this experiment using cadavers and plan to use this research to further scientific knowledge of alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss. María José Torres-Prioris, Diana López-Barroso, Estela Càmara, Sol Fittipaldi, Lucas Sedeño, Agustín Ibáñez, Marcelo Berthier, and Adolfo García won the Ig Nobel Prize in Communication for studying people from a town in the Canary Islands called La Laguna who have a tradition of speaking backward. These people can instinctively reverse the order of words; for example, the Spanish word casa (house) would become asac. Though it seems like mere wordplay, La Laguna is pushing to have their tradition declared a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. These scientists believe that their research can be used to better understand neurological disorders that impact language processes. While experiments like these might seem overly strange or indulgent, their real-world applications have the potential to expand scientific innovation in important areas like the understanding of diseases, the development of treatments and cures, and the improvement of artificial intelligence. So let’s all give the Ig Nobel Prize winners of 2023 a hand!
science and technology
pg. 2
Into the Unknown: Mrs. King’s STEM-inar on
Lucia Noto ‘25
Understanding Dark Matter In the vast expanse of the universe, where stars twinkle, planets orbit, and space dust dances, there exists a realm of enigma that extends beyond our current understanding. As we navigate this cosmic journey, two enigmatic forces take the stage. Dark matter, a force detected solely through its gravity-based effects in space, comprises 26.8 percent of the total mass and energy of the universe. Meanwhile, dark energy, the driving force behind the universe's accelerating expansion, accounts for an impressive 68.3 percent. In stark contrast, the more familiar elements of our cosmic neighborhood such as stars, planets, and galaxies (also known as ordinary matter) comprise a mere 4.9 percent. This cosmic composition underscores a significant gap in our understanding, with the nature of dark matter remaining an elusive puzzle that could reshape our grasp of fundamental physics. The mystery deepens when contemplating that the essence of dark matter eludes our comprehension. Unseen and undetectable by radio waves, microwaves, or any form of light, its profound influence on the cosmos stands as an undeniable reality.
math
pg. 3
Mrs. King’s STEM-inar Event Excitement filled the air on Friday, October 27th, as upper school students in every grade level eagerly made their way to D316, lunch in hand, excited to unravel the mysteries of our universe. Enticed by an array of delectable snacks including brownies, Oreos, and imaginatively themed "Black Holes" (chocolate donut holes), over twenty students were lured into the cosmic expedition. Mrs. King, reflecting on the unexpected turnout, remarked, "I was so surprised we didn’t have enough seating room…People I’ve never seen before... came to learn about dark matter." Once settled with lunches and treats, Mrs. King curated a captivating experience by showcasing a TED Talk featuring fellow astrophysicist Risa Wechsler.
The talk explored the potential significance of dark matter in unraveling the formation of the universe and shed light on the innovative methods employed by physicists worldwide to study it. Although current experiments have mainly revealed what dark matter is not, ongoing studies involve the utilization of computer-generated digital models of universes which enable the testing of diverse possibilities, paving the way for further exploration.
math
pg. 4
Mrs. King's video selection aimed to cater to a diverse audience, as she explained, "everybody was able to grasp what was there, but there was enough for those that knew something to see about the new discoveries." Despite the constrained timeframe, a brief post-video discussion unfolded, transforming D316 into a dynamic hub of cosmic inquiry. Mrs. King expressed her surprise, exclaiming, "There were a lot of people, not just juniors and seniors, even ninth and tenth graders, because the subject matter is fun." The students' existing knowledge of the universe impressed Mrs. King, who hopes that the event instilled in them "the excitement of the STEM field and how varied and interesting it is." Are you ready to dive into the captivating world of STEM? Get excited for the next mindbending STEM-inar with Mrs. King where she'll unravel the fascinating connection between math and juggling patterns. We hope to see you there!
Explore it Further! NASA - Dark Energy, Dark Matter Space - What is Dark Matter? National Geographic - Dark Matter and Dark Energy Britannica - Dark Matter NASA - Shining a Light on Dark Matter
math
pg. 5
Vivienne Craig ‘27 As we approach the fourth month of school, there is no doubt that the first three months have been nothing short of busy. Reflecting back on what now seems like a calm beginning to the school year, Integrated Math 1 students wasted no time jumping right into all things math. Just in the third week of school, Dr. Alessandra King announced the line design project to her students. The basis of the project was to create a series of shapes and patterns that are curved and complex, while only using straight lines. The possibilities were endless, and each student could take the project in any direction they wanted.
Vivienne Craig ‘27
Some current members of the class asked students from last year’s Integrated Math 1 for advice and their takes on the project and former student, Carter Thompson ‘26 said, “For me, the hardest part of creative projects is usually coming up with an idea, so I was a little overwhelmed at first” but made sure to credit Dr. King for her renowned ability to “ make math class fun and exciting, [with] the Line Design project [being] no exception”! Dr. King gave the students around three weeks to compose their final product and the creativity that the students showed was truly incredible. Incorporating different materials into her project, Lauren Hemann ‘27 “used white string to sew the stars [in her project] and blue, purple, and black paint to create… a small dog looking up at the sky”. Sofia Francisco Skamnelos ‘27
math and art
pg. 6
Chloe Zhu ‘27
Carter Thompson ‘26
Taking an approach that nodded to her personal interests, Avery Phillips ‘27 designed a Star Wars blueprint “model of an imperial star destroyer” and said that a “good time plan” was necessary to avoid rushing the process. Nell Choi ‘27 merged her knowledge of 3D printing with this project, reflecting that in “Art Tech last year, I learned how to convert hand-drawn designs into files that could be uploaded into Tinkercad, and thought that O could apply the same technique to turn these complex designs into something 3-dimensional.” Her 3D-printed cubic lantern evolved from a Halloweenthemed idea to an artistic outlet that allowed her to “let [herself] explore and create abstract patterns”. Combining fashion and math, Vivienne Craig ‘27, began with an idea of creating a graphic t-shirt saying “Long, Live, Nature”, but she said that, “it would have taken too much time to create the entire graphic, so I simplified it down to a single flower using blue and brown thread”.
Nell Choi ‘27
math and art
While the project took a great deal of time, many of the students made the point that it made them persevere and grow. From creating multiple 3Dprinted prototypes to fixing knotted threads, and managing the time given, each student was able to present a project that they were proud of. Ultimately, the students collectively agreed that the project was a turning point in how they viewed mathematics and Chloe Zhu ‘27 noted that, “It [math] isn’t just about the calculations… but about using your artistic ability”.
pg. 7
EXPLORING Remy Caspar ‘26 and Rui Feng ‘26
An Interview With Mr. Rivera
This year Holton started offering a new computer science class – CAD. You might be wondering: what exactly is CAD, and why should you take this class?
WHAT IS CAD? CAD stands for Computer-Aided Design – using software to create 2D and 3D models. The "three biggest [advantages of CAD] are accuracy, scale and collaboration." Previously, it was much more difficult to design things, especially on a larger scale: you had to use paper, which is a waste of resources, and you had to go to other people in person if you were collaborating. The use of computers in CAD also allows for more accuracy than hand-drawing.
AND NOW, THE INTERVIEW: Remy: How is CAD at Holton? The first class was last trimester, how did you like it? How do you want to improve it? How is CAD applicable at Holton? Mr. Rivera: I’m glad it’s happening; I think it’s very fun and exciting. I think we’re very lucky to have the tools that we have; we have the printers, we have the software… My goal is just to get students exposed to it, seeing what it can do, and I know you do a lot of this in your other classes already: design… in your art classes and your engineering classes, and your science [classes] – they deal with problem solving. This course is just another approach to that problem-solving mindset. And then the cool part is that we get to see a lot of results in the physical world. I love 3D printers and seeing them make the things they make, so getting students to do that is our goal… What I want for [the CAD class] is bigger classes, longer classes, more classes, so we can do a lot more new, exciting things.
art and technology
pg. 8
Remy: Of course. And the 3D printers are right over there. What can they be helpful for? Not just inside of Holton, but what are they used for in the real world? Mr. Rivera: So, commercial use is still kind of up in the air. A lot of manufacturing is still injection molding, that's the standard. But when it comes to these layer-by-layer type 3D printers, they're still mostly for entertainment value and small-scale business applications. But I do see [commercial use], there are already examples of 3D print[ed] buildings with concrete. So there's giant 3D printers that have concrete, they have a tube and they can lay out the foundation of a wall very quickly. For purposes in our community, I think we can do a lot with solving small problems. When things break and you want to repair something, you can design and print it and put it back on. And in our class, we don't have a lot of time, so I'm still learning about what works best. But the planters in here are an example: if you want to actually grow plants, then you don't have to go and spend money on a particular design - you could make it on your own! You don't have to buy, you can design it, which is, I think, the more exciting part of the process. The printers are just the tools after the fact.
art and technology
pg. 9
Remy: Yeah, so you mentioned the planters; what other projects did you do that you really loved and what projects are you looking forward to? Mr. Rivera: So I loved the planter one, we're probably going to do that one just because I think the results are awesome to see and a real thing you can take home with you. But for the first project, instead of doing the soap dish ... we're [Ms. Carver and Mr. Rivera] going to do small-scale games. For example, a little tic-tac-toe board, or a little ball and a cup that you catch it in. Remy: Oh, that's fun! Mr. Rivera: They're going to design small mini-games. We're going to give them 3 to 4 options, and then they're going to have to produce one of those. Remy: That's very exciting. Soap dish made by Rui Feng ‘26
Mr. Rivera: So there's not too many complexities, they’re basic shapes: rectangles, spheres, things like that. But it still does take design and it's going to be multiple parts, and so I think that'll be exciting… I don't know if it's going to happen this year, but if we do have access to more time in the future, being able to make something that has multiple parts that are connected … longer prints, bigger pieces, things that are jointed or use gears … I love the chess pieces as well because it's more freeform, and you can come up with a theme. That's really fun too. But really I'm just trying out different things, there's not a definitive way. Getting students producing things I think is the goal.
art and technology
pg. 10
Star Wars chess set made by Remy Caspar ‘26
Remy: Awesome! You mentioned your collaboration with Ms. Carver; how do you think CAD connects different aspects of STEAM? Mr. Rivera: I think it's a core component. This is very similar to engineering - it is an engineering tool – and engineering is not one discipline, it's everything together: science is solving problems; the harder sciences bring up the information we know… and then engineering is how we apply it to a real problem. I think that all other classes that students take are really good about both those things: giving the knowledge as a baseline, and also giving real application problem-solving. And I think CAD is a tool, like in the engineering classes: they're working on bridges, they might do something like furniture, or catapults. Those are small projects they do in class. But now imagine if a student already has the skills in some type of CAD software: they can design something ahead of time, they can design something without having to waste materials, and it really becomes a lot more effective and efficient in your materials, which is always a consideration when it comes to the cost, and time … the teachers and the students have to plan for things. So I think it's a skill that students could use in other classes, I think it's a really solid one for students to experience. Explore it further! 3D printing buildings 3D printing in general A house in Texas being 3D printed last year
art and technology
pg. 11
FAMOUS
Alisha Agha ‘27 and Avery Phillips ‘27
December is full of many famous STEAM figures’ birthdays! Here’s our list of some notable scientist and mathematicians: Martin Rodbell was born December 1st, 1925 in Baltimore, Maryland, and was an American biochemist. He is best known for sharing the 1994 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Alfred G. Gilman for their discovery of G-proteins and their role in signal transduction in cells. Prior to his research, it was widely believed that only two substances were responsible for cell communication. However, Rodman discovered the G-protein acted as a signal transducer between the two. His research led to a better understanding of many diseases, including cholera and diabetes.
Rudolph Pariser was born December 8th, 1923 in China to Russian and German parents. He known for being a brilliant physical chemist who co-discovered a method for computing molecular orbits, known as the Pariser-Parr-Pople method, which was a large advancement in the then-emerging field of quantum chemistry.
Ada Lovelace was born December 10th, 1815. She was an English mathematician and writer who is largely known for her work on the Analytical Machine, the first general-purpose computer. She is recognized as the first computer programmer, and attributed for being the first to recognize that computers had a larger potential than calculation. Since 2009, she has been celebrated on the second Tuesday in October to highlight the contributions of women in STEM.
science and math
pg. 12
Annie Jump Cannon was an astronomer born December 11, 1863, in Dover, Delaware. Cannon was an assistant at the Harvard Observatory, being in a group known as “Pickering’s Women”. These women all worked together under Edward Charles Pickering and were also known as the “Harvard Observatory computers”. Their job was to classify the spectra of all stars. Spectra means to graph the amount of light something gives off. Anne made a new much more simplified way of organizing the stars and their respective spectra.
Adolf Windaus was born in Berlin on December 25, 1876. He was a Chemist who got his Nobel Prize for his research on different substances, especially vitamin D. He discovered that vitamin D becomes a vitamin when one of its chemical bonds is broken by the action of sunlight. This explains why going into sunlight can prevent vitamin D deficiency.
John Phillips was born December 25, 1800, in Wiltshire, United Kingdom. If you’re reading this, send anyone on exec an email with the year Holton was founded to get candy in your mailbox! Back to John. He was a very accomplished geologist. He expanded the ideas of William Smith, the father of English geology, to develop an understanding of geological time. He identified the major geological eras – Palaeozoic, Mesozoic, and Caenozoic.
Johann Spurzheim was born December 31st, 1776 in Germany and became a prominent physician. He made great contributions to the field of phrenology, a field of neuroscience focused on how skull shape affected the activity level of certain functional parts of the brain. His popularity in Europe eventually led him to Boston, where he established phrenology as a field in America before he died in 1832. Although phrenology has largely lost its popularity, his contributions to the understanding of brain anatomy remain.
science and math
pg. 13
The Power of
Grace Curley ’25 and Aleca Aukhert ’25 As the holiday season begins, you may be influenced to join the festivities and drink some delicious hot chocolate! Although many only think of cocoa as a yummy treat, it has many health benefits that many may not know about. Whether you enjoy your hot chocolate plain or flavored, the yummy drink will still provide the same benefits. Studies have shown that a nice mug of hot cocoa serves as a stress reliever and serotonin booster. Tiggle, a popular hot chocolate company, states that “hot chocolate helps to release Serotonin.” Serotonin boosts a person's morale and overall well-being by increasing one’s happiness (Health Direct). The drink not only serves as a chocolatey delight but a stress reliever and a way to relax your brain. The calming effects of hot chocolate come from its sources of magnesium (Tiggle). Magnesium is said to help decrease anxiety levels and enhance sleeping patterns (Health). Hot chocolate is a perfect drink to not only warm you up but also cool down your brain. From chocolatey goodness to increased happiness, hot cocoa acts as the perfect holiday treat. In addition, hot chocolate has many flavors which can be found in the cacao beans. Flavors are chemicals that can help detoxify as well as lower blood pressure. Of course too much hot chocolate can be unhealthy as it is still a sweet treat, but the amazing benefits make it a perfect option when you want something sweet. (NPR). Lastly, hot chocolate is an amazing drink to soothe your throat if you are sick! While you are sipping on your warm hot chocolate this upcoming winter, make sure you remember all of the benefits that you are getting from drinking it! Try adding different toppings such as mint, cinnamon, whipped cream, or anything else you enjoy to your hot chocolate to make it even better!
science
pg. 14
Here’s our favorite recipe from Fifteen Spatulas: Ingredients 2 cups whole milk 2 tbsp sugar 4 oz chopped bittersweet chocolate splash of vanilla extract whipped cream and marshmallows (optional) Instructions 1. Combine milk and sugar in a small saucepan and place on the stovetop over medium heat. 2. While the milk is heating, place chopped chocolate in the microwave and heat for 30 seconds. Take the chocolate out and stir it. Return to microwave and heat for another thirty seconds, remove and stir. Continue to heat and stir the chocolate in 30 second intervals until it has *almost* melted. Always err on the side of undermelting, so you don't risk overheating it and causing separation and grainyness. 3. When the milk reaches the scalding point (180 degrees F, with bubbles on the side), turn off the heat and add the melted chocolate, whisking to combine. Add the vanilla extract now, if desired. Top with whipped cream or marshmallows if using, and enjoy!
Send anyone on exec a picture of your completed hot chocolate to win a fun prize! Explore it further! 7 Real Health Benefits of Hot Chocolates Is chocolate good for your heart? Finally the FDA has an answer – kind of
science
pg. 15
Sophie Delonis-Vigier ‘27
games
pg. 16
Thanks for reading the December 2023 issue of
Want to be a part of STEAM Spotlight? Contact anyone on exec to get involved! sky.zhu.2026@holton-arms.edu carter.thompson.2026@holton-arms.edu yvonne.zhu.2026@holton-arms.edu maggie.shelton.2026@holton-arms.edu grace.curley.2025@holton-arms.edu malia.humphriesdo.2026@holton-arms.edu aleca.aukhert.2025@holton-arms.edu Special thanks to our advisor, Mrs. King!