All Science Leadership Academy Blog Posts

Graduation Live Stream, Mon 6/17 6-8pm

Douglas Herman — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:22:14 -0400

SLA is set to graduate the 2013 Class at TFI on Monday, June 17th

For those who cannot attend in person you can watch it LIVE right here on SLA's Homepage.

The Stream Will Go Live at 6pm.

Art Q4

Dylan Mckeon — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:07:45 -0400

Inquiry: I used Inquiry to ask myself what the element should look like.
Research: I used research by searching for information about our elements. I used this information to help come up with a design for our project.
Collaboration: I used collaboration to seek help from my classmates and teacher on how to make the project.
Presentation: I used presentation to make my project look nice by matting it and also presented my varous ideas to the teacher.
Reflection: I used reflection to tell others of our project and show our prints on the SLA blog.

Junior College Prep Day - Monday, June 17

Marcie Hull — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 20:33:18 -0400

Advisory Room Assignments

Room 506-Ames

Room 504- Baird+Menasion

Room 520- Garvey

Room 502-HullenBerg

Room 521- Miles

Room 501- Kay+Hirschfield

Advisory..........8:15 - 8:30 am

Session 1........8:35 - 9:25 am

Session 2 .......9:30 - 10:20 am

Session 3.....10:25 - 11:15 am

Session 4.....11:20 - 12:10 pm

Linoleum Printing Germanium

Isabella Mezzaroba — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:09:03 -0400

Inquiry

I talked to Ms. Dunda about my element in order to learn more about it. I hadn't even known about germanium until this project. She explained to me some of the scientific aspects.

Research

I researched the origins of germanium using multiple resources. I knew nothing about it until I was assigned the element and went on my own to research.

Collaboration

I collaborated with Ms. Hull because my design was slightly complicated. She explained to me a way for me to easily determine the difference between negative and positive space.

Presentation

I made 3 prints with my stamp and matted 2 of them. I used the colors silver and red which usually appear in the actual crest of Germany.

Reflection
I enjoyed this project immensely. I'd never done linoleum prints before and really enjoyed learning about them.

SLA Families Go To Harrisburg

Chris Lehmann — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:43:03 -0400

[Post Written by SLA Parent Sarah Stuart]

The SLA kids were awesome yesterday. Leo Levy, Jordan McLaughlin, Mia Weathers-Fowler, Amy Chen, Goldie Robins and Taylor Thomas were articulate, powerful and magnificent. They worked so hard and did SLA proud.

SLA parents were also amazing. Anne Bigler, Arden Kass, Liz Hersh, Laura Schwingel, and Denise Larabee came through in each and every way. Anne and Arden especially did a heavy lift in pulling together the letters excerpts, designing the posters and producing the "program" of our press event. The event would NOT have happened without them.

It's an honor to be associated with such dedicated students and parents!

Thank you to everyone at SLA who made yesterday possible!

Media Footage: Metro Philly

KYW News

Philly Magazine

CBS 3

Patriot News (Mia Weathers is quoted towards the end of this story)

Inquirer

Politic365

NBC10

Humanities Final Portfolio 2013

Alisha Rothwell — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:15:25 -0400

One of SLA’s core values are to be able to reflect on the work you have done. This year I done this have more than your fingers and toes can count, projects that I am proud to call mine. But as a struggling student there are also work which is not good, but it have helped me get to the good ones. I have jumped from poetry to sweatshops nearly everything in the past months of working with Mr.Block. The best part of it I didn’t write for a grade I wrote to express what I was feeling.

One day I wrote a journal entry answering a question that was always going threw my head. On the board of our english journal read “Why do humans so often treat each others badly? And .... What different thing change this cycle of negative behavior towards others.” As a child growing up in the 90’s generation I have to deal with those who judge others a lot. I always wonder why something that someone else is doing affects someone else. The kids I have to grow up with leaves me with questions I do not even know if there is an answer to. Something I was raised around is “Sticks and stones may break your bone, but words will never hurt.” I had a mouth full of things to write down for this journal! One of the ones I loved. (To read everything I wrote you can click here (English Journal 6 ) )

Thew out this year I have learned a general understanding that can make my life easier. The grades you receive never reflect your intelligence, It reflects your work ethic. To me this means that I have way more understanding on something I just don’t express it. I maybe one of the nerves writes I know. I have that general understanding on a topic, but sometimes I don’t always know how to express it. As I grow and I reach my college education level I now know I need to express myself a little more. For my younger cousins and or any other younger person I would love to them to know

I would never imagining learning so much from a teacher who teaching me two different subjects. Mr. Block is my wonderful history and english teacher. Mr.Block has help me open my eyes in the world in such ways you wouldn't believe it. This has left me with not only understandings on the world but on my own work. As a student who has had a tough time in english and history I would never expect there is not only a fun way to learn but also an understanding way. I knew about the wonderful work Mr.Block has done because of one of his former students, but boy she didn’t inform me about this.

Here is some links to my work https://docs.google.com/a/scienceleadership.org/document/d/1Vb-

https://docs.google.com/a/scienceleadership.org/document/d/1c7s1rJmnZNQzDfwLSu0b_4R33WxZO6tGiBiTmdaEzlo/editMPiK2Q4eMqxk9HRoYKfzCUEmoL-Q-GN1P1pp2yrE/edit

#allnightersareworthit!

Douglas Herman — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 07:37:00 -0400

2nd ANNUAL ROUGH CUT FILM FEST

TONIGHT (THURS, 6/13)

Doors Open at 630, Show starts at 7pm

(ENTER FRANKLIN HALL FROM WINTER ST)

EVENT IS FREE, BUT GO TO OUR EVENTBRITE PAGE TO RESERVE YOUR TICKETS

Elementary, My Dear Students.

Elizabeth Vellozzi — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:11:04 -0400

My element, Antimony, is very interesting. One thing that I found the most interesting was, ancient Egyptians used Antimony in their eye makeup. Also, when antimony is heated, it admits a silvery dust. This dust is described as a magically silver color. So for my project I decided to combine the two. I designed a tile with the Egyptian god of Magic on it. It was also very lucky that this god in particular is always depicted with very eccentric eye makeup designs.

Element Project Reflection

Greta Haskell — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:10:46 -0400

1. Inquiry: I researched my element and it was kind of challenging because my element was a noble gas that didn't do much. After researching for a while I came up with a creative idea for my print.

2. Research: Like I said before my research was kind of a challenge but after searching for a while I thought about it. I think that my idea was original and creative for such a boring element.

3. Collaboration: Mrs. Hull helped me a lot because she helped me pick my best idea. She also helped me edit it, after the changes my idea was a lot better. I also helped out some of my classmates if they got confused.

4. Presentation: My presentation could have been better. If i had switched where the negative space was in my print it would have looked a lot better. In my opinion my colors are not dark enough and it would have been better opposite.

5. Reflection: When I reflect on my prints I wish that I could re-do them because I think they could have come out a lot better. I think that they were pretty good for my first try though and even though I don't like them, I am proud of them.

Cesium

Aaron Block — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:53:12 -0400

Inquiry
In the beginning, I had no idea what Cesium was. It is not an element that people hear of everyday.

Research
In order to produce a good, informed design, I needed to do some research on what Cesium was used for, when it was discovered etc.

Collaboration
To make a good design and generate ideas, I worked with others and asked about others designs. This helped to improve my design.

Presentation
For this project, I had to matt to of the prints on a background paper. I also had to take a good picture as part of presentation.

Reflection
Now, I reflect on my project. I look at my project and see how it connects to the five SLA core values.

Artist Reflection

Heaven Mendez — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:18:40 -0400

Originally, I was supposed to do the project involving negative space, using elements as the topic. The process of the entire thing was pretty good. It mainly involved constant sketching, getting feedback from Ms. Hull, and returning to my sketchbook in order to revise whatever seemed to be out of place in the drawing. This went on for a while. Once it was brought to my attention exactly how the sketches would be used, I panicked, practically dreading art class from that moment on.

We were all warned that linoleum cutters were these sharp, almost dangerous if used incorrectly tools. Now, had this been before, I would've jumped at the chance at attempting to use something with such risk added onto it. However, as soon as the warning stretched onto the fact that if you were to accidentally lose control of the blade, and it happened to puncture the skin, the results seemed fatal. Avoiding giving off some entire life story over a blog post, I considered the tool to be a personal danger. After an email session with Hull, followed by a pretty long conversation, I was in the clear to do something less, sharp, if you will, and was allowed to do a few simple sketches. I decided to draw a few pictures in the style of manga. In a way, they actually correlate to the essential questions and core values.

Inquiry:
Before being able to do this mini-project, a few questions had to be asked. 'Why do you feel as though you aren't able to complete the element project?' 'What would be most helpful to you, as a student?' And, 'What would make you feel more comfortable,' were just a few pieces to this value.

Research:
I poured a lot of research into this, beforehand. Learning how to draw different hairstyles, eyes, expressions, and facial features were some of the basics, before I moved into a few more advanced topics, such as keeping everything aligned, and giving the characters a more animated look.

Collaboration:
Throughout the project, I collaborated with both my teachers, and my peers. The various critiques I'd ask from people probably had to be my biggest source of this value.

Presentation:
Each drawing has been, 'presented,' to someone at least once. By posting them online, one could also consider that a form of presentation.

Reflection:
This very blog post! Thinking of what exactly were my highest and weakest points within the project also helped greatly within the creation of the reflection.

Element Project Reflection

Adowa Mohamed — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:17:36 -0400

Inquiry:
I created my own questions about my element. Also from those questions we started our research and used the information from that to make a drawing.

Research:
I did some research on the element that was assigned to me, so I could have a better knowledge of that element. One thing I learned was that Krypton is a noble gas.

Collaboration:
I asked my fellow peers about how to use certain tools that were given to us. We all worked together to finish this assignment and helped one another understand new knowledge.

Presentation:
I made my element more presentable by adding a green border. Which was made out of construction paper. By doing this we made the project more appealing to the eye.

Reflection:
I enjoyed this assignment very much because we got to work with new materials. We also learned about new information about our elements while creating art.

Inquiry:
I had to ask myself what exactly was I doing, I had to make sure that I was following directions.

Element Project

Magdalena Clampet-Lundquis — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 18:48:35 -0400

In this project we had to incorperate the five values. I believe that research is incorperated in this project, because we had to do research on our elements to be able to know what type of design to make. Collaboration was included in this project, because we had to paint the tiles and this took collaboration, because we all had to work together. Presentation: we didn't stand up and present, but we did present by uploading our element print pictures. This is a reflection, what I'm writing is me reflecting on everything I've done over the process of this project. Inquiry is something we needed for this project.

Element Project

Christian Moore — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:56:27 -0400

Research: I had do do some research on my element to find out more about it. I did not know what strontium was or did before I was assigned this project

Collaboration: At first, I was confused about what was even going on. I had to ask alot of people different questions to figure it out.

Presentation: I had to make my projects look nice. Doing this project was not good enough, but the final product had to be nice to get me a good grade

Reflection: For reflection, I had to think about all I did at the end to make sure that it was following the criteria. It took some time to do a checkoff but at the end it was all complete.

Inquiry: I had to ask myself what exactly was I doing, I had to make sure that I was following directions.

Element Project

Milahn Shurelds — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:03:09 -0400

Inquiry: There were many questions that I had about the project but didn’t ask. These questions weren’t asked because they were eventually answered during the process.

Research: Because I had questions the best way to answer them was with research. Through research I was able to answer all of my questions.

Collaboration: During this project I had to collaborate with others for help and to help. Helping them with painting and them helping me with carving.

Presentation: This print will be on the school walls and on this blog below the reflection. The print was made with effort and creativity.

Reflection: Even though I find my design interesting if I did this project again it would be different. I would think of something else that has to do with fluorine.

Elemental Print

Dillon Hershey — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:25:46 -0400

My element was Cerium and I did a print about neon signs because Cerium is in neon signs.
Inquiry- I was questioning about my element and trying to find what my element did.
Research- I researched everything about my element and found what my element did.
Collaboration- I collaborated with my peers about what type of design I should use.
Presentation- I presented the matted print to Ms. Hull.
Reflection- I reflected as I printed more prints because the paint would stick in the lines of the block and so I thought that if I would do it again, I would make sure that the lines I carved are deep enough.

Elemental Printmaking!

Lauren Thomas — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:24:23 -0400

Inquiry
I asked myself, "what does the element krypton make up?" I also asked if there is anything unique about my element and how to design it.

Research
I looked up what krypton makes, such as neon lights and camera flashes. I researched what the history behind krypton and how it was discovered.

Collaboration
I asked my friends what they thought of my design. I collaborated with them on what design to carve and I helped them choose

Presentation
I presented my final pieces, one matted and one not. I matted a few, and chose the best one to give to Mrs. Hull.

Reflection
Looking back at what I did I am proud. I loved how my prints turned out and my carving turned out nice.

Titanium Serge Mass Prints

Serge Mass — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:14:58 -0400

Inquiry: What is Titanium and how is it used? How can I incorporate titanium into art?

Research: I looked up what is made out of titanium.

Collaboration: I helped others with their prints.

Presentation: The picture bellow.

Reflection: This is the reflection.

Element: Argon

Nashay Day — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:06:11 -0400

Humanities Final Portfolio 2013

Rahed Albarouki — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:53:08 -0400

Embarrassed, I am. This year was a flunk. Do I regret anything? Of course I do, but I'm not going to sit here and sob about it the last week of school. A repeated action of lying, bickering, and for what? To be sitting here in my loneliness of bad grades and avoided relationships. I haven't been a good sport, but I am only human.

One of my favorite quotes is, "Grades don't reflect intelligence, they reflect work ethic." A quote bringing a high self-esteem to a person who feels as though he doesn't have a meaning. A purpose. The honest truth is that I don't feel intelligent. I know I don't have a great work ethic, and my grades show that, but even if recognition for a completed assignment is given, it's not enough. There are still pieces of the puzzle missing.

Walking into Sophomore year was simple. Put a smile on, pay attention, do the work, get good grades. Simple. Just like everything else. But, soon after I discovered how lenient I "thought" my teachers were, the slacking began. It's true when the students say, "You can't spell Slacker without SLA!" I was a slacker. Still am, at times. Considering the fact that I was so dedicated to passing and making an impression, it baffled me that my grades started to slip, and it confused me even more when I didn't care.

I generated creative ideas for each assignment that was given to me, I just never followed through. Week-after-week, month-after-month, it was nothing but disappointments. Ones from my teachers, ones from my parents, ones from myself. Tackling something that is outside of your box is more than changeling. It's mind-juggling. Every idea was extraordinary. Something that would give me a 20/20. I was excited. Filled with joy when that final thought was created. But, procrastination took over and molded me into something that I wasn't. I would say that Social Media is to blame, but actually, I am to blame. Everything is/was my decision. I decided to not turn in work; I decided to leave class for 30 minutes. No one is going to force me to do anything. It's my responsibility to make sure I am doing the best I can, and none of my capability and potential was shown through the half-ass effort.

This past school year has been an adventure. It wasn't a pleasant one, but I can't change the past and most certainly will not dwell in it. My journey has taught me the value things may have. I envied people who were better at things than I was. I'm not skilled in math. I'm not skilled in Spanish, but that's okay. Piers of mine who received A's in classes, that I got a C in, were just trying to the best of their ability. I'm strong in many things that straight A students aren't, and thats valuable. I have to know that I'm not going to be Superman at everything, so I can't beat myself up over something that can't be altered. I may have messed up a few times, but I know how to fix the mistakes. Writing this short essay, made me realize the importance and significance of my talents and where they can lead me. I am an individual who sees things metaphorically and artistically. I can't compute variables in an equation and I can't translate a sentence only using a Spanish dictionary. From now on, I know to try my best and be the person I truly am, because it's the only thing that will be my aid in the following journeys.

Paine's Park Video

Marlyn Mooney — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:29:46 -0400

Paine's Park Project

Crystalle Hutchins — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:22:43 -0400

10th grade students studied Paine's Park and the associated erosion and runoff. Check out the video that describes the problem and possible solutions.

Paine Park - Medium 1 from Bryanna Jones on Vimeo.

Quarter Four Artwork - Max Amar-Olkus

Max Amar-Olkus — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:10:30 -0400

This quarter I worked on my photography, mostly. I also worked on some mixed media pieces. For the most part I like to think my photography is greatly inspired by painting and is composed in a way that makes some of the shots seem very painterly. The one painting I made this quarter was based on a picture I took of my little brother. It is just a portrait shot but I converted it into a stencil and it is very mysterious.

"Portrait of Lucien"
Fiber board, Spray Paint, Marker pen, Acrylic ink
Max Amar-Olkus

Here is the link to the photography I've done this quarter
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maxamar-olkus/

Globaliz-HATE-tion

Stephen Holts — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:00:16 -0400

Click here to learn about the hate that was borne by the Nation of Islam

Oxygen Print

Miles Cruice-Barnett — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 10:33:48 -0400

Inquiry
We asked questions about our element.

Research
We had to research our element to find out cool information about it. My element was oxygen.

Collaboration
I help other people with their prints because I was more experienced.

Presentation
We had to make this blog to present what we did.

Reflection
This is the reflection