PGIA Cyber Patriots Making their Mark!

This year PGIA is fielding two teams in the Air Force Association's National Youth Cyber Defense Competition. Thousands of teams from all around the world compete online, securing virtual computer systems against hacking, malware, and all kinds of other vulnerabilities.

We know how important this is. Students are gaining real world, hard and soft skills.

In the first year, CyberPatriot teams rarely do well. There is a HUGE learning curve and it can be very frustrating for young people. The competition rounds are intense, last SIX hours, and require a lot of focus, teamwork, concentration and study. Our PGIA Middle School Team and High School Team have risen above all this.

Here's the good stuff. Our Middle School team has a real chance to qualify for the semifinals. Our High School team has placed at the GOLD TIER level (I still can't believe it, but it's true) and will try to get to semifinals as well - at this very tough level of competition. These are incredible accomplishments. I've never heard of first year teams reaching these levels.

Both teams competed against literally thousands of other teams. We have competed in two rounds of competition so far and have been holding regular practices. Our next round is this Saturday, December 7, and it is a MAKE or BREAK round which will determine our final placement in the competition. It will be tough going.

I am the proudest CyberPatriot coach ever!

High School Team

• Mimi Boumedine

• Ny'Kel Emanuel

• Orin Hayes

• Timothy Hayes

• Alexander Pahlavan

Middle School Team

• Krishiv Amarnani

• Alessa Carty

• Stanley Trotman\

• Khalid Warrell

• Amelie Zucker

Huge thanks to school admin for their constant support and instant response to any need! Huge thanks to Mr. Enright for getting us the best tech set-up possible! Huge thanks to Dr. Boumedine for serving as our technical mentor - he puts in a lot hours making sure we are ready for each round. Huge thanks to the families of the team members for their support - especially Mrs. Hayes for providing the amazing buffet for the teams!

Go Volts Go!

Mrs. Hoffart, Cyber Patriots Coach

CS Futures End Session Program Featured in National Publication

PGIA's 2019 End Session program, CyberFutures, facilitated by Dr. Marc Boumedine of UVI and Ms. Rebecca Hoffart, was included in the National Cyberwatch Center's annual publication, 2019 Innovations in Cybersecurity Education on page 57.

 What is the National Cyberwatch Center?

Their website describes themselves as, " a consortium of higher education institutions, businesses, and government agencies focused on collaborative efforts to advance Information Security education and strengthen the national cybersecurity workforce." For more info https://www.nationalcyberwatch.org/

 In the three-week-long End Session program the students learned about, Computer Programming, Cybersecurity, and the Internet of Things. Students also completed independent projects using Raspberry Pi computers. The various projects included measuring the temperature or moisture in the room and programming LED light boards. 
Congratulations to the students and teachers in the CS Futures End Session Program for their hard work and national recognition!
Brianna Jordan 
Chris Griffith 
Diego Zakers
Divina Kamra 
Jayvyn Potter
Mikayla Kurtz 
Mireille Boumedine 
Riddhi Atmaramani 
Andy Yu
Ms. Hoffart and Dr. Boumedine

End Session Presentations Take Us Around The World!

PGIA End Session is one of the exceptional programs that sets VIMSIA apart from other schools. Each year, we put together several program options for these last few weeks of school. These are in depth programs that focus on language, the arts, STEM, history and international-mindedness. Some involve international travel, while others provide these experiences here on campus - with special field trips and events.

The students’ experience culminates with a presentation to our school community and this year’s groups did not disappoint:

• Up-Cycling: From Trash to Treasure - Presentation

• Sports & Nutrition - Presentation

• London is Calling - Presentation

• Cyber Security & Computer Science - Presentation

• La Novelita - Presentation, Movie Trailer, Full Length Film

• Music Explorations - Presentation

• Journey to Iceland & Ireland - Presentation and Video

• Viva Panama - Presentation, Panama Rap. Follow @pgiapanama on Instagram.

Mimi Presents at ASLO in San Juan

This week PGIA 9th grader Mimi Boumedine, along with six other St. Thomas high school students, presented at the international ASLO (Association for the Sciences of Liminology and Oceanography) 2019 aquatic sciences meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Mimi shared her student team's research on fish preferences for natural vs. artificial coral reefs. She and her team built artificial reefs, then observed which fish preferred their reefs vs. the natural ones, categorizing by species and age. Their research was conducted this past summer with the Youth Ocean Explorers program at UVI. The presentation was given at a special high school poster session initiated and organized by none other than Dr. Michele Guannel, Assistant Professor of Biology with the Virgin Islands Institute for STEM Education Research and Practice at UVI.

Robotics and Cyber Security Class - go STEM!

I can’t even begin to say how much I love that we have this class. No words needed - just check out below. Thanks Ms. Hoffart and Mimi - you guys are great!

First Day "Eclipses" All Expectations!

There was a buzz of energy surrounding campus on our first day of school - and not just from the excitement of being back!  Our PGIA students were all hyped up for their field trip to UVI, and those of us still on campus spent the afternoon gawking upward with our jaws dropped.  Experiencing the solar eclipse at VIMSIA and UVI was simply awesome!  We had so much help and support from UVI and Dr. David Morris.  We thank them so much for being instrumental in the great science that abounded yesterday surrounding the solar eclipse.

Photo of the eclipse taken at UVI field by PGIA 8th grade student Vidhika .

Our PGIA students all took a field trip to UVI to participate in the solar eclipse educational outreach presented by UVI.  The Upper Elementary students hit the soccer field with eclipse glasses provided by UVI and pinhole cameras that they made in class.  Lower Elementary student groups took turns poking out from under the solar awning to experience the image through their solar glasses.

This from Upper Elementary Teacher, Ms. Morrison to UVI's Dr. Morris:

WOW ! Wow! Wow!   Thank you, Dr. Morris,  that was just amazing!  We had the opportunity to have all of our 9 to 12 yr olds, most of the 6 to 9 yrs olds view with teacher's assistance and most of the school administration each took a gander skyward.  We also had many parents, as they arrived to pick up their children, take a look and even a few little ones under their parent's supervision.  I had to laugh at the number of folks who, when initially offered the glasses, said "ah no, its no big deal"  yet when encouraged, exclaimed how incredible it was.  For a point of reference our pick-up time is between 3:25 and roughly 3:45 so prime shock and awe window.   

Sooo.... saying thanks really doesn't seem to express how grateful we are to you for the glasses. Really!

Sincerely, Ms. Morrison

---

Look closely at the images of light on the sidewalk.  The trees over the sidewalk have created a "pinhole" camera to reflect the eclipsed sun on the path.  These were taken at about 3:35, so very near the maximum coverage that we experienced here in St. Thomas.

End Session: Mauritius Continued!

Helllloooo MRU Parents!

Your kids are troopers! They have already well adjusted to new sleeping patterns and are doing a wonderful job of being respectful members of this group. The kids seem very happy with their host families and have everything they need. Let me know if you have any concerns whatsoever!

Today we did biodiversity research in the Black River Gorges. It was absolutely beautiful. We saw several endemic species of birds and bats, and had a talk from "Nate", a bird biologist from the Mauritian department of Wildlife.

Tomorrow is a trip to the Colorful South coast of MRU and the sacred Hindu temple. It will be very memorable.

I am beyond humbled with how we have been welcomed here and the hospitality that the Mauritian families have given to us. We would like to set up an exchange to have these kids come stay in the VI. Please let me know if you are interested in hosting a Le Bocage student!
 

:) Ms. Z

End Session: NASA Day 3

Our final day at NASA was pretty awesome. We saw the Atlantis and learned all about the history of the shuttle program. Pretty spectacular. We rode the shuttle simulation which definitely tested one's love of turbulence and sense of balance. We attended a college fair, talked with some robotic teams, and saw one team's robot have a very successful run in the competition.

Tomorrow, we'll visit the Space Coast FabLab and then settle into our villa in Orlando, probably followed by shopping and a movie. 

I have laughed so much today at each of your children. They say the wittiest things...especially when they don't think you're listening. I've also learned a lot about music and Snapchat!

Hugs, Ms. E

End Session: Galápagos Trip Day 1

The Galapagos End Session spent two days exploring Quito and surrounding areas.  Tuesday they visited historic areas in Quito, and sampled famous local dishes such as guinea pig. Some were open-minded enough to try an ice cream flavor called “caca de perro.” Wednesday they went to Cotopaxi, the world’s second highest active volcano. They observed llamas and condors; in fact they spent an hour watching the condors - their guide said he hadn’t seen so many condors together in 20 years!  Thursday it’s off the the Galapagos Islands!

End Session: NASA Day 2

Today we met an ASTRONAUT! Dr. Sam Durrance spoke with us about his two missions to space and the telescope he helped to build. Very interesting stories. We then took a bus tour behind the gates. We saw all the launching pads, the Vehicle Assembly Building where they are currently building the SLS rocket to go to Mars, and the shuttle transport system. We also saw a retired Apollo shuttle and exhibit highlighting all the Apollo missions. We even got to touch a moon rock! Pretty amazing! We spent the afternoon in the historic Cocoa Beach Village, watching a major downpour from our hotel rooms, and ending the night at the movie theater. 

Tomorrow, we will see the Atlantis and experience a launch simulator. We'll also be going to a college fair. 

I love seeing your students in this environment. I am so proud of their openness to new experiences and their kind hearts. Thanks again for letting me "have" them for the week!

Hugs,

Ms. E

NASA End Session - Quick Note from Ms. Elger

We got to see rockets today! Our first day at NASA was great. We watched an IMAX movie about Mars, sat in on the opening ceremony of the robotic mining competition where we heard from the NASA Director and former astronaut, walked through the space shuttle garden, and saw Atlantis. Tomorrow we will meet an astronaut, see inside Kennedy, and take part in a flight simulation. 

Thanks again for letting me take your kid to space-ish!

Design Class Cardboard Boat Races!

Dr. Staples' 10th grade design class has been working on designing and building cardboard boats this year.  Each group was tasked with designing and building a boat out of 4 cardboard Home Depot boxes and tape.  

Today was race day at Secret Harbor.  Our PGIA students kept the tourists well-entertained this afternoon.   Big thanks to John Phillips at West Indies Wind Surfing for lending us the kayak paddles.  

We will let the videos tell the story.  Suffice it to say - learning can be fun!

The PGIA's 10th grade design class was given an assignment to build a boat out of cardboard and a few other specific items. The project culminated in this boat race held at Secret Harbor. Great project! Kudos Dr. Staples.

PGIA Students Visit Petra, Jordan

PGIA students on the Weizmann trip to Israel and Jordan spent their final day touring the ancient city of Petra.  All five students and their chaperones are now in route from Paris and are due back tomorrow.  We are so anxious to hear the student reflections and to see the presentation that they put together to document this amazing adventure.

Israel Trip - Jerusalem

The hostel where the group is staying

Jaffa gate to the old city of Jerusalem

Open market in Jerusalem

Open market in Jerusalem

Tunnel of the City of David

The Western Wall

At the western wall for Shabbat with the Temple Mount in the background

The students are now embarking on their tours through Israel and Jordan.  Today was spent in the City of Jerusalem.  Imagine the history!  What an experience.

Israel Trip: Days 1-3, Weizmann Institute of scientific research

Our students have just completed their three day science session at the Weizmann Institute.  As you can see from the photos below, they were immersed in a wide variety of scientific topics and cutting edge research.  From curing cancer to curing Alzheimer's - covering topics in chemistry, physics, biology and astronomy - our students will return from Israel having had an experience unique to only a very few high school students in the world.  We are so thankful for our relationship with the Weizmann Institute and the amazing benefits it yields for these curious student minds.

The remainder of the trip will take the group to Jerusalem, Masada and the Dead Sea, and across the border to Petra in Jordan.  Watch for posts journaling the remainder of this great adventure!

First lab at Weizmann

This lab was about decomposing cells.

Long term memory research

Zebra fish lab

Here they are studying blood vessel traits

Cancer research lab

Garlic as a cure for colon cancer

Designing the next generation of solar panels

Developing a cure for Alzheimer's

Chemistry discussion

This is a microscope to measure atoms of materials

The students have seen the difference in an atom of copper and an atom of gold.

Bon Voyage to Our Students Heading to Israel

Weizmann Institute of Science has graciously invited our PGIA students back this year for another science camp at their amazing university.  World renowned scientists from Weizmann will have sessions with our students from Sunday through Wednesday, at which point the group will travel throughout Israel and Jordan.  Six students attended this trip last year with life altering results.  There are no words.  This year the students are Skyler, Silas, Aneesh, Megan and Ni'quay.

An excerpt from Vanshika's reflection of last year's trip:

This journey has thoroughly broadened my horizons, both scientifically and culturally. While being introduced to new customs and science, I found deeper meanings for both. Science isn’t simply knowledge, though knowledge is a poignant part of it; it is the ability to apply what knowledge you have and to solve questions that have never been asked before. Curiosity is the origin of all breakthroughs in science, because if scientists weren’t curious, they wouldn’t ask these excellent questions. 

Vanshika last year at the Dead Sea

Biodiversity End Session in Full Swing

The Biodiversity End Session with Ms. Silva, Ms. Chipley and visiting biologist Meg Malone is well underway, and usually underwater!  They have set up food patches to study fish foraging behavior and recorded data on the sea life they have encountered over the past week.

The group have done class work to prepare for the field work they are doing at places like Sapphire, Megan's, the lagoon and more.

STEM End Session - Skyler's Robotic Cobra!

Skyler Anspacher shows off his robotic cobra, built in the STEM End Session led by Mr. Palmer.