Wow…I still can’t believe that I am here, standing in front of my friends, my incredible teachers, and my family.
It feels like yesterday when I was playing football with my friends and our biggest worry was nothing more than math class. We used to come to the classroom and see the desks separated, and that’s when we started feeling scared.
We used to worry about getting Behavior Notes because we messed around in class and the teachers were always getting mad at us.
We used to worry about our clothes, our shoes, if we looked good when we were about to go out, if we smelled okay, if that certain girl was going to be in the halls, and if we were going to have a good time or a great time. But now…
Now we worry about university applications, getting the necessary scores for our reports, final exams in our core subjects, and life itself. And I can’t help but notice that we have changed.
Somewhere along the way, we grew up.
Time is unfair. I am 18 now, but I still want to be 14. I still want to enter the classroom, see my friends, see my math teacher, have a laugh, play football during breaks, and return to class and greet my ESS teacher. But I realize that this chapter ends today.
There is a famous saying: “You never realize the value of something until it’s gone. That’s why you should always appreciate the little things in life.”
And let me tell you, I never really understood the meaning of that quote until today. Life has moved pretty fast, so fast that I forgot to stop and appreciate the little moments along the way, with you guys. So it breaks my heart to see all of us here together, one last time, before we finally move on and grow up. This is a moment that will forever remain in my heart.
To my teachers, I love you all. Even if I suffered in some of your classes. Or made you suffer! It is hard for me to express my gratitude towards you all without breaking a tear. And I think I speak for my whole class when I say that we will always miss you and that MAYYYBEE we will come back once in a while to say hello. You know, the school is pretty far away.
To my classmates, and especially those who may worry about the future: do not feel threatened by growing up. Don’t panic if things don’t go as expected. There is always time to work thing out. But remember, time is unfair. So enjoy it. Enjoy the little things along the way, because you never know when they will be gone.
Hello dear teachers, friends, WINS staff and students who have been a part of this incredible journey! Our hearts are full of gratitude and excitement as all the hard work has finally paid off and we are ready to take the next big step in life beyond high school. If I am to think of one word to describe our collective journey, it would be this: Unprecedented.
Though our journey as a class was turbulent and often marked by mistakes, it shaped us into the individuals we are today. We hope that one day, our reputation as “the worst grade” will transform into a memory of being the most remarkable, thanks to our future achievements.
First and foremost, we owe our deepest thanks to our teachers. Their wisdom and guidance shaped our minds and their dedication to educating us, even in the face of misunderstanding, not only imparted knowledge but also instilled in us a desire to keep growing and explor-
ing. Despite countless ridiculous questions and numerous behavioural notes, they continued to teach us about the world, encouraging us to analyse and explore every part of it. Most importantly, they taught us how to surpass our own expectations.
Our graduation is not just a personal achievement. It’s a testament to the collective effort of our parents and friends who supported us in times of need. As we step into this new chapter of our lives, we carry with us the lessons we have learned, the friendships we have cherished, and experiences that changed us. All of us in one form or another have experienced loss or grief or sacrifice over the last few years. And although we lost much, consider all we have gained: perspective, patience and a sense of how precious and unpredictable life really is.
A few years ago, I was living comfortably in my home country of Ukraine. Then came the war and upheaval,
and my move to Italy. A boarding school, new friends, new routine, and dreaded IB deadlines. I could never have predicted my future, nor how fulfilled I feel at this moment, sharing my journey with you.
Everyone has a story. But it’s during school that we share our stories and grow up together. Reflecting on these shared experiences, we are able to look into the future with confidence, excited to face new beginnings, embracing the unknown with courage and determination. If there is one sentiment we should all hold onto, it is this: We are capable of overcoming any obstacle, no matter where we are in the world, no matter what the situation may be.
Our high school experience is unprecedented, because it was never experienced by us before. We are unprecedented and so is our future. I for one can’t wait to enter it. Goodbye!
The seniors vs. teachers football match has become a spring tradition at WINS, where 12th graders issue their final goodbye to high school. This match brings out the competitive tension hovering in the air. Let’s say it’s the perfect time for the students to get their “revenge”. That was especially true this year, given the teachers’ surprising victories the last two years. Whatever the final score, the match promotes sportsmanship and community spirit towards the young spectators, even if there will be a losing team.
The sunny and warm morning of April 12 set the stage. The seniors, led by captain Nureddin (Nuro) kept their heads high as the pitch was full of excitement. The teachers, without last year’s star Mr. Goncalves, and key starter Mr. Rolla, looked nervous. The match kicked off with agility from both teams. The students were more than ready to test the teachers’ speed and in the 6th minute, Nuro blasted a ball directly into Mr. Krasner’s gut, settled the deflection, and scored a lovely goal. This gave the teachers a wake-up call but just 3 minutes later, star Mr. Ruiz equalized. The first half looked like it would be a blowout as Nuro scored decisive goals in the 11th and 13th minutes while Matteo joined in at the 15th minute. However, Mr. Kronfeld demonstrated his skills by scoring an amazing goal in the 19th minute, closing the 1st half gap to 4-2.
In the second half, Mr. Ruiz wasted no time, scoring his second goal in the 1st minute. The students must have been worried that the football gods favored the
teachers. Three years in a row? But Nuro would not have it. He scored his fourth goal and the tide turned. In the 7th minute, Matteo scored his second goal in memorable fashion, catching keeper Mr. Krasner out of position and tapping the ball between his legs. Nutmeg, and a 6-3 advantage. The teachers didn’t lose hope as their defense was still defiant and their attackers made daring dashes. But to no avail. In the 10th and 13th minutes, Alonso made his presence known, scoring the 7th and 8th goals. With 9 minutes to go, Nico scored the final goal of the match, ending the onslaught at 9-3 for the students. Mission—and revenge— accomplished.
Nuro was named most outstanding player, scoring four goals in impressive fashion. On the teacher’s side, Mr. Ruiz was just as great, for his two goals and his no-quit spirit. Two players who were just as brave were the goalies. Gianfrancesco, from the student’s side, had a very good performance while Mr. Krasner, despite his creaky knees, showed he wasn’t scared of the power shots that kept coming at him.
Football is a competitive sport, but victory wasn’t the main objective here. It was clear that the students and teachers bonded and created a beautiful memory for all. The match ended with handshakes between teams and pictures on the pitch. There was a sense of satisfaction from everyone involved, marking the end of another tumultuous year together.
There comes a time in the IB student’s life when they make the jump from MYP to DP. These two years are filled with sleepless nights, essays to write, lab reports to conduct, coffee and all-nighters, but it is also the time to decide what we want to do with our lives. Some may feel like giving up this treacherous path while others will find their calling. But if you do not have an answer yet, congratulations, you have become a real IB student.
First, some DP basics (Diploma Program): it’s final two years of high school where you choose six subjects to focus on. Your choice depends on your university direction, so it’s a good idea to have one! You choose from five subject groups: Language A (first language), Language B (second language), Humanities (History, Business, Psychology, and Economics), Sciences (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Computer Science, Sport Science, and Environmental Science) and Mathematics. The final subject is the compulsory Theory of Knowledge, which no one understands until they get there.
For each subject, you must complete an IA, an exploration of a selected topic within the course. There’s also the Extended Essay, a 4,000 word research paper in one selected subject. And CAS, which is an extracurricular portfolio in creativity, action and service. If it sounds like a lot, it is! Thus the stress students feel as they inch closer to DP reality. But what’s better than imagining a nightmare? How about experiencing it through someone else.
Carlotta Banchi made the transition to DP this year. According to her, it’s not a nightmare, but more like a rigorous obstacle course: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FUTURE DP STUDENTS?
The DP is challenging but choosing subjects that you like will motivate you to study more. Also, organization is fundamental. Collect your notes and teacher materials in an orderly method. Lastly, do not procrastinate. If you have a routine and study a bit every day, things don’t pile up and your stress is manageable.
HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR TOPICS AND DO YOU REGRET TAKING ANY OF THEM?
My university direction requires
specific subjects, like Physics and Math AA, so I had a focus on the sciences. After a year of the DP, I found out that I am more passionate about the humanities! If I could go back, I would definitely take History or even English A, but I do not mind my choices overall.
HOW DID YOU PREPARE FOR THE DP?
I didn’t! I was not psychologically prepared for the DP. There are more tasks. Subjects require more effort than what I experienced in the MYP. The jump to the DP is real but if you are organized and do not procrastinate then the stress reduces.
DO YOU HAVE ANY REGRETS ABOUT TAKING THE IB PATH?
Yes, every day of my life! No, I’m joking. Before WINS, I was in an Italian school and I have to say the IB has its advantages, the biggest being that I am learning English at a higher level. Proficiency in English is vital in this world so I do not regret taking the IB path. The most interesting part is exploring different cultures and getting to know people that come from diverse backgrounds. That’s the best part of an IB school.
Teachers play a crucial role in our education. But what are they like outside of school? Recently, we learned that Ms. Casella and Ms. Gonzalez both realized their dreams of publishing a book. I interviewed them to gain insight into this special occasion, as realizing a dream is the most important thing in life, and the most important thing to teach.
Words from Ms. Casella, author of “Ricettario di Arteterapia”:
“When I did my master’s in art therapy, I realised that Italian books on this topic lacked practical aspects, so I thought I could write my own. Creatively wandering between different types of art was the best part of the writing process. I explored music, yoga, dance, and theatre, as this recipe book demonstrates multiple ways to improve our psychological well-being through these practices. The book has a structured system with an initial warmup, a middle development and a final wrap up session to relieve stress. The book’s methodology derives from university studies, but the practicality of art therapy comes from one’s unique ideas, which vary from therapist to therapist. This book represents my ideas coming to life, following my culture, sensibility and tastes. It was the first time I wrote for my delight and not for work! I hope it helps people, not only scholars but also those interested in practicing therapy to feel better. For students, I would give this advice: if we are too scared to try new things, we’ll never achieve what we desire. So get out of your comfort zone and experience every bit of this life and world.”
Words from Ms. Gonzalez, author of “Animaleza”:
“In 2020, during the second COVID wave, I was on maternity leave. I used to do so many things, and suddenly, I was left with no tasks. I spent my days from the busy streets of Turin to the peaceful roads of the countryside, and I did a lot of walks to kill time. To fight boredom, I let my imagination fly and started writing stories. While doing so, I also thought about my baby and read the stories out loud for him. Nature, and its animals, gave me the inspiration for “Animaleza”. This book is a collection of poem-stories with a moral at the end of each one. I wrote for kids 6-8 years old but also to help any Spanish learners who wanted to improve their reading skills. Speaking honestly, I first wanted to keep these stories to myself and family, but I realised that publishing could be a great opportunity, so I took the chance. The writing process was all imagination. It came together when I started to see faces in animals and personified them. As for advice, it is important for people to step out of their comfort zones. We must avoid frivolous entertainment like smartphones and social media, as they harm our creativity and our minds. We never know what we can do until we change our routine and let our minds fly, so we should not treat boredom as a bad thing—actually, it can be the main machine for our imagination.”
—WHAT IT MEANS TO MEby Giorgia Garavelli
Remember those golden words from parents, “Respect your elders”? It’s a phrase so ingrained in our cultural fabric that questioning it feels akin to sacrilege. In the grand stage of life, one of the oldest debates continues to rage on: Should respect be granted by default, or earned through actions and character? It’s a topic that stirs up emotions, sparks debates, and often leaves us at a divide. Particularly, the issue gains prominence when we examine the dynamics between different generations, which happens to be the context of school.
Picture this: a well-intentioned teacher threatens students with harsh punishments due misbehaviour, but neglects to follow through. Or uses sarcasm to poke at those routine trouble-makers, instead of reaching them though humor and candor. Going a bit outside of the scholastic field, imagine playing a sport and having a short-tempered coach who yells to get his point across or insults your character in front of teammates. Or closer to home, a parent who demands you drop the mo-
bile phone when he or she cannot. Will my respect grow for this person because he or she is older? Shouldn’t respect be reciprocal, flowing from both sides like a river of mutual admiration? Teachers, coaches and parents are mentors.They illuminate our path towards personal growth. But are they infallible? Do they always wield their authority responsibly, or do some hide behind the shield of respect, taking advantage of their position?
Don’t get me wrong; the majority of mentors deserve nothing but the utmost respect. They’re the ones who go above and beyond, igniting the flames of curiosity, nurturing young minds, and shaping futures. But let’s not tiptoe around the truth: there are also those who demand respect and hide behind the curtain of age or title to earn it. Respect isn’t a gift bestowed upon the entitled; it’s a prize earned through actions, integrity, and genuine care.
Let’s flip the coin for a moment. Imagine those teachers who don’t command respect but earns it effortlessly. Who don’t just dictate, but listen as well. Who foster an environment where every voice matters. Who don’t just teach, but inspire, igniting a spark that transcends the boundaries of the classroom. Luckily I don’t have imagine—there is little misbehavior in this classroom.
But this debate is not just about teachers and students, coaches and athletes, parents and kids. It permeates every facet of society. From the boardroom to the courtroom, from the streets to the seats of power. Individuals garner respect. Remember that time you met that person who oozed charisma, whose mere presence elicited respect without uttering a word? What was it that left you in awe? Was it the age or position, or something deeper, something intangible that set this person apart?
Here’s the secret: respect is about character. It’s about integrity, humility, and empathy. It’s about treating others the way you want to be treated, regardless of age or status. Of course, kids are plenty fallible too, and for good reason. They’re growing up! So I’m not advocating for disrespect or teenage rebellion. Far from it. All I’m trying to do is answer the old question from a young persepctive: respect—granted or earned? I’ll answer with a metaphor: respect shouldn’t be a one-way street paved with entitlement; it should be a boulevard where actions speak louder than words.
Hey music fans! If you love rap, you’ve probably heard about the ongoing battle between the biggest names in the game: Drake and Kendrick Lamar. This beef has a history and today it’s juicy as a summer BBQ. So, what’s the story behind this rivalry? Let’s dive in!
The story starts back in the 2010’s. Drake, the Canadian rapper, was already famous with his smooth lyrics and catchy hooks. Kendrick Lamar, from Compton California, was gaining respect for his deep and insightful lyrics. They seemed like they could be allies, and at first, they were. In 2011, Drake featured Kendrick on his song “Buried Alive Interlude”. It was a sign of mutual respect. But as both artists’ careers developed, things changed.
The spark that started the beef happened in 2013 when Kendrick dropped a verse on Big Sean’s track “Control”, in which he claimed himself the “King of New York” and challenged other rappers to step up their game:
I’m usually homeboys with the same ns I’m rhymin’ with But this is hip-hop and them ns should know what time it is And that goes for Jermaine Cole, Big K.R.I.T., Wale Pusha T, Meek Millz, A$AP Rocky, Drake... Kendrick was was taking shots at everyone. But the competitive nature of rap meant that Drake, at the top of his game, felt the heat. Fans waited for his response. Instead of a direct hit, Drake opted for subtle disses. In his 2013 track “The Language,” Drake rapped:
I don’t know why they been lyin’
But your **** is not that inspirin’
While not mentioning Kendrick by name, many believed this was a shot at him. Things escalated in 2016 with Drake’s release of Views, and the track “Hype”. In this song, Drake addressed Kendrick’s style and success: I don’t take this **** for granted, I do my own propaganda I feel like June Santana, Leg hangin’ out the Phantom Fans interpreted this as Drake saying he didn’t need to follow the hip-hop bravado that Kendrick often showcased. Kendrick, known for his lyrical art, didn’t stay silent. In his 2017 album DAMN., he reaffirmed his alpha dog status on the track “The Heart Part 4”: One, two, three, four, five
I am the greatest rapper alive
So damn great, *******, I’ve died
What you hearin’ now is a paranormal vibe Drake and Kendrick haven’t had any major public confrontations. However, their verbal war remains a hot topic among fans. Both artists have continued to release various disstracks about eachother. “Meet the Grahams” by Kendrick Lamar is a great example. The lyrics are too explicit to be featured here. Rap beefs are not uncommon. They push artists to be their best and often result in some of the most memorable tracks. You can label the beefs as seasoning— they add flavor and excitement. However, for Drake and Kendrick, this rivalry seems to be about outright animosity rather than a healthy competition. As fans, we get to enjoy the results: fantastic music and thrilling drama. So, whether you’re Team Drake or Team Kendrick, one thing’s for sure: this beef has given us some incredible music and keeps the hip-hop world buzzing.
This year’s Personal Project fair was characterized by unique projects that cultivated personal interests. The assembly was livened up by a special guest, former WINS student Andie McGregor, who gave her speech through video. Following are the projects presented at the fair with tips for the future grade 10’s. Christian Signoretta describes this experience as special. His aim was to create his own car design through sketching. Christian enjoyed expressing his creativity and believes the project not only helps with school but also in the outside world. His advice is to dedicate sufficient time to the initiative and choose a passion to develop.
Filippo Gambarini describes the project as a chance to start doing what you like. His aim was to create a short film series and learn the role of producer. The project stimulated his passion for cinematography as he has a clearer picture of how to start such a task. His advice is to think early about your project idea and choose a topic you really like. Greta Girondi turned her passion for fashion into an outfit made from used jeans. Her project was not only sustainable but showed loads of skills. She learned how to use a sewing machine and mastered new techniques. She was also able to improve her time management skills as she felt well organized. Her advice is to choose something you like so the project doesn’t feel like a “must”.
Giorgia La Rosa investigated the arrest of Salvatore Riina by con-
by Giada Garau
ducting an interview with one of the men who arrested him. The project deepened her passion and knowledge of criminology. She created a poster that resembled a newspaper article which drew many people to her stand. She says the fascinating part about the project is seeing unique presentations representing so many different fields.
Andie McGregor created a podcast to discuss the impact of climate change and a range of solutions we can implement. She found it challenging to develop a single idea and have so much autonomy, but she loved choosing her own subject. Her advice is to choose a topic that you are passionate about and narrow it down so it’s achievable as well.
As for me, Giada Garau, I dedicated my project to baking and created my own cookbook. My experience was challenging at times but once done, felt like a great achievement. I improved my baking skills and what could be more fun than eating homemade brownies! My advice is to use your time wisely and meet the deadlines to have more time to focus on the report.
Overall, the Personal Project fair couldn’t have gone better. Each student was prepared and enthusiastic about sharing their interest with other people. A special thank you goes to our supervisors and especially the project coordinator, Ms. Rollandin, whose passion was to make this a memorable event for us. Indeed it was!
Answer this riddle: whose presence is felt everyday at WINS while not being present? WINS parents.
Another riddle: how to manage life in a new country when your child has just been diagnosed with leukemia? For that, there is no answer. That is why I decided to interview Agata Krasner, mother of Transition student Zofia, and wife of our English teacher Mr. Krasner. She had the courage to share with me all the hardships regarding this life-threatening situation, which hit the family in February of 2022.
I’m grateful for this interview as the topic touches me personally and I feel the story needs more recognition.
by Marta SettanniCOULD YOU SHARE A BIT ABOUT THE JOURNEY AS THE MOTHER OF A CHILD WHO HAS SUFFERED FROM CANCER? WHAT WAS THE HARDEST PART?
Before the diagnosis, when we didn’t know anything. Zosia didn’t feel well and I visited many doctors. One suggested allergies, another asthma, another said that she was just growing, so that’s why she’s non-stop sick. She had every flu imaginable and red bumps on her skin, a terrible cough and high fever for many days and nobody could tell me what was going on. One day she was so pale at school that we had to take her to Regina Margherita ER. We waited into the night and finally got a diagnosis. So, it wasn’t just my mind or some strange allergy, but a disease that can be cured. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. For some parents the diagnosis can be the worst part, but for me it provided a little relief because I finally had the information.
HOW DID YOU COPE WITH THE TERRIBLE NEWS?
First I thought it wasn’t true, that they made a mistake. I was panicking because we were stuck in the hospital and reality was changing.
It was during Covid so we couldn’t even exit to the corridor. Normally I’m always planning what to do and there I couldn’t plan anything. One doctor made an impression on me though. He repeated the phrase, “day by day”. I kept this advice in my mind, to live just day by day.
HOW HAVE YOU POWERED THROUGH EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY TO BE THERE FOR ZOSIA?
I don’t know. I don’t know if I handled it emotionally and physically because it was too difficult. Physically it was difficult because
I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t eat because I wasn’t hungry. I became thin and looked like I aged 10 years from the stress. Emotionally it was all ups and downs. The moments in which she was ok I was calm but sometimes she suffered very bad symptoms. She had an allergic reaction to one form of chemotherapy. She contracted Covid. We had plenty of close to death situations, so for all the mothers in the oncology ward it was just hard to handle.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE CHANGED DUE THE EXPERIENCE?
In every way imaginable. I had to resign from my job. My oldest daughter stayed without a mommy because I was in the hospital for long stretches. The plans I had made here in Italy, I had to cancel them. I haven’t been to my home country in almost 3 years because we haven’t been able to travel. Every aspect of life changed. But you get used to all that if you have a goal, and my goal was to get my daughter healthy again.
CAN YOU SHARE THE MOST MEANINGFUL MOMENT WITHIN ZOSIA’S CANCER JOURNEY?
When we were in isolation for 10 days in the Covid ward. The doctors were wearing protective suits so Zosia was scared and didn’t let them touch her. She was crying non-stop. We were in a cramped room with no visitors and she had to stop her treatment. No one from the oncology ward could communicate with me. It was frightening. I told Zosia that once she tested negative, we could go home. However, when we finally got the negative test, the doctors changed their minds and we had to stay longer. I didn’t know how to tell her that I lied, that we were staying. Meanwhile, she had overheard the doctors’ conversation. Mind you, it was raining outside, and when I went to her to deliver the news, she said: “Mom, look. It’s raining. I don’t think they’ll let us go home.” She already understood the news and made this story up to make it easier on me. She was 4 and I was 40 and she was the grown up and I was the child.
HOW WOULD YOU APPROACH A DISCUSSION WHEN SOMEONE ASKS ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS THE MOTHER OF A CANCER SURVIVOR?
Well, now I’m talking about it calmly because I hope it is something in the past, that it will not come back. Before, I wasn’t able to talk about it. But there were moments when I gave advice to other mothers and helped
them to go through it. I’m also writing a blog so a lot of mothers reach out to me. I think I switched from a person who is scared to a person who can be more open.
ARE THERE ANY STEREOTYPES CONNECTED TO CANCER SURVIVORS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BREAK?
Yes! On Netflix, almost every show that features someone with cancer, we know this person will die. I don’t run across many shows that have a cancer survivor, maybe only Breaking Bad. This makes me angry, because the creators are connecting cancer with death. Cancer is also about life. If there was a warning label like for explicit content—this program contains references to cancer—I will surely not watch it! This is the most damaging stereotype, that if you have cancer you will die.
DO YOU FEEL MORE EMPATHETIC TOWARDS OTHER PEOPLE WITH ILLNESSES OR DISABILITIES AFTER THIS EXPERIENCE?
For sure, yes. Now that Zosia is healthy, I feel more empathy for the kids who are still fighting. Sometimes I feel that survivor’s guilt, because she’s ok while other kids are not and cannot be.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO PARENTS WHO STRUGGLE AND HAVE THEIR KIDS DIAG-
NOSED WITH CANCER OR OTHER LIFE-THREATENING DISEASES?
The same advice I received on the first day: “day by day”. Stop planning, stop reading, stop listening to the medical opinions of other parents or concerned friends. Just live one day after the other. Because for each person it’s going to be a different journey. In Poland, there are communities of parents in which they exchange information about symptoms, practices, therapies, but the result is that they make each other more fearful. In Italy, they try to prevent this. You can share your emotions and how you’re dealing with anger or fear, or how you deal with your child’s lack of education and socialization, but you shouldn’t talk too explicitly about medical issues because you’re not the doctor. Trust the doctors.
IF SOMEONE WANTS TO READ ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE, WHERE CAN THEY FIND YOUR BLOG?
It’s on Instagram and it’s called superkrolikratujeswiat. It means “super bunny saves the world”. When Zosia was very little, she dressed in a superhero outfit and ran around the house shouting, “super krolik ratuje swiat!” She is an artist too and her drawings and paintings are part of the blog. She really is a superhero. And all kids like her, who go through these hard things, they do save the world. She saved mine.
The PYP portion of the school is always rocking with activity. This spring, they closed the year with many collective events and trips, including the annual Carnival, Sports Month, a “WINS Loves Pets” assembly and field trip, the PYP Market Fair and Exhibition, and more. Enjoy the memories!
“The Universe in a Nutshell”, written by renown physicist Stephen Hawking, features his suggestions about the past and future of the universe and more. Published in 2001, the book is a sequel to his New York Times bestseller, “A Brief History of Time” in which Hawking explains theories of the beginning and end of the universe. His current work provides readers with concrete concepts that are in turn useful for understanding even more compelling ideas.
For readers interested in how things are the way they are, Hawking takes us on a magnificent journey to understand seemingly daunting concepts like Quantum Mechanics, the Uncertainty Principle, Einstein’s theories of Special and General Relativity, theories of time travel (wormholes!), and what brings everything together. His strategy as a science writer is to rid science of its boring label and include relatable and even funny analogies that assist readers in understanding advanced physics, like the warping of space-time.
how we inhabit the vast dark sea that is space, sprinkled with the islands that are our galaxies. At least for me, it kept me questioning how significant we really are on our tiny blue chunk of rock. If the history of the universe were shown on a 1-kilometer line, the human era would be approximately 7 centimeters long. Think about that.
If I’m forced to register a complaint about the book it would be this: it taught me that we live in a universe in which, according to available theories, time travel seems to be impossible! (due to the fact that dimensions are warped in our universe). It is probably for the best though, for if we had other available dimensions, atmospheric conditions like planetary orbits would be much more unstable. These are the types of conversations the book prompts.
I enjoyed this book mostly due to my interest in the cosmos and everything beyond Earth. I also enjoy Hawking’s skill in making connections with the reader, even in a book about seemingly dull and difficult-to-grasp ideas. Due to the mysterious nature of reality, the book also prompts readers to reflect on
In all, I rate this scientific work a 10 out of 10 as it helps us understand the world we live in. I recommend it to anyone, science lover or not, although I realize the subject matter is not exactly popular. I believe we should all have a notion, however basic, of the circumstances in which we can breathe and eat and move and write…all those things we take for granted. The basics. Like being alive. And that is my review of “The Universe in a Nutshell”, in a nutshell.
Every spring, the Science Department and students come together to deliver a riveting day of science: the annual Symposium. Students from the MYP and DP worked together to inquire, experiment, and present their scientifically reliable findings to the whole WINS community. Many thanks to organizers Carlotta Rech, Cristina Genovese and Marcello Rotondo.
Grade 8 closed the year with a memorable visit to Naples, led by their intrepid tour guides Giulia Grosso and Giulia Corrente. They experienced all the color of Naples, its vibrant streets, underground tunnels, historic chapels, piazzas and pizza, and even an earthquake in the nearby region!
Just a regular series of events for everyday Neapolitans.
World International School of Torino strives to be the new frontier in international education. Our mission is to create a safe and respectful learning environment to support each child in the development of their individual talents by fostering critical thinking from an early age. The truly mul-
ticultural context of our school with its cutting-edge technology and the high standards of its academic programs nurture the intellectual growth of our students helping them to become open-minded, principled, and inquiring citizens of the world.
A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their Mission can alter the course of history - Mahatma Gandhi
