Amsterdam End Session Arrives

Good night everyone,

We are here safe and sound. We were greeted by Donovan. We took a train in to the city and then a tram to our hotel...which is so cool and artsy. We all love it. We showered, which felt amazing!  Donovan then walked us to the Food Hall which used to be a tram repair shop.  Gorgeous architecture. The hall had every kind of food you can imagine and live music. It was awesome people watching and AMAZING food. We soaked it all up. On our way back to the hotel we stopped at the grocery market to get a few things for breakfast. Cool choices and delicious looking fruit.  I then tucked everyone in with goodnight hugs and off to dreamland we are heading.Tomorrow we are visiting the Van Gogh Museum first. I'm not sure what all Donovan has planned after that but I know it'll be amazing. All six of us are in love with the city...a bit colder than we thought but still really awesome!

I'll write more tomorrow. 

Hugs

Mrs. Elger

Bon Voyage to our China End Session Travelers

Safe travels and well wishes as our PGIA "Journey to the Red Dragon" End Session trip to China gets underway.  Mr. and Mrs. Stocking, both teachers at VIMSIA, will be leading these 14 PGIA students on an adventure through China to experience the Eastern way of life through culture and history.  Their trip includes a service project along with visits to Beijing and Xi'an...as well as that trivial concept of a LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE!                   安全旅行

Bon Voyage - Amsterdam End Session on their way!

Bon Voyage to our "Math in Amsterdam" End Session group.  They are off for a week in Amsterdam with former PGIA Math Teacher (and self-proclaimed Math Geek) Mr. Donovan Carroll.  Mr. Carroll has developed a program called, you guessed it, Math in Amsterdam!  Five of our PGIA students are traveling with Ms. Elger to meet up with Mr. Carroll in Amsterdam and get their own personal course, direct from the Master!  They return to PGIA campus with Mr. Carroll in tow, to bring his math skills back to St. Thomas for another week of Math in St. Thomas?!  

Mr. Carroll will also be presenting a Mathemagics presentation on campus June 6 or 7 - watch for details.

Safe Voyage, to our PGIA international travelers!

 

VIMSIA's Chess Team takes 9th Place at National Tournament

VIMSIA students Amir, Aidan, Kinze and Chris competed at the U.S. Chess Federation National Championships over the weekend.  As a team, these two 4th years and two 6th years were competing against Middle and High School teams from around the country.  There were 1,460 players at the event. The VIMSIA team competed against about 30 teams that were in their section.  They came in with a solid 9th place - with trophies awarded up to the top ten finishers.  Looks like we are going to need that big  trophy case!  Way to go Volts.  Interesting factoid - these four students are also USVI Territorial Soccer Champs.  IB Learning trait = "Well Balanced", and so many more!  

 Kudos to our Chess-letes and thanks to Mr. Allen, Mr. Wilkinson and Mr. Gever for being there for them.

Shout out to 5th year Annabelle , who was also to attend but was unable to make the event due to travel difficulties - you'll get 'em next time Annabelle!

Chess Tournament Update

The St. Thomas/St. John Chess Club members are in the midst of their first day of competition at the U.S. Chess Federation Scholastic Nationals in Atlanta.  

Mr. Gever is sending us updates as they come in.  Looks like a good first round for Chris.

There are 38 states with close to 1500 students participating!  

One more round today, 3 rounds tomorrow and 2 on Sunday.  We will try to keep you posted!  

Bon Voyage - Chess Athletes Off to Atlanta

Bon voyage and bon chance to our St. Thomas - St. John Youth Scholastic Chess Club members that are off to Atlanta Georgia this morning for the U.S. Chess Federation National Championships.  

17 V.I. students, five of whom are VIMSIA students, will be participating in the event.  VIMSIA will also be representing the V.I. in the team competition.  Kinze, Amir, Aiden, Chris and Annabelle - Upper Elementary students, will be testing their skills against other chess players from around the country.  Huge kudos to Sinclair Wilkinson and VIMSIA Coach Darryl Allen for mentoring these students and providing this great opportunity.  We will keep you posted on results! 

Daily News Post

PGIA Exchange Students Visit Spain's Ministry of Education

At the Ministry of education

At the Ministry of education

The center of Villaviciosa de Odon

The center of Villaviciosa de Odon

The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace

From our chaperone, Ms. Brigitte Bornn ~

Good afternoon, parents.  We had a great excursion today! We were invited to visit for awhile at Spain's Ministry of Education department.  We had a meeting in the legislature with the Ministress herself that was very delightful.  She spoke with our students in Spanish only and our students did very well, asking and answering articulately in Español.  I was so very proud of them! 

 

MMUN Opening Day!

Emotionally supercharged by a an ocean of kids, teachers, and chaperones working together for world peace at the opening and tenth anniversary of the Montessori Model United Nations, New York. Kids were told that their voice can make a difference, that their light can change the darkness of war, fear, discrimination, hunger, and the negative changes affecting our global climate . They were each given a light to shine in the darkness of the room as they were told with emblazoned passion they can make a difference ! Wow wow wow !!!
— Lawrence Aqui, parent and chaperone

Bon Voyage to Our MMUN Delegates!

Bon voyage to our sixth graders from Ms. Batten and Ms. Morrison's classes that are attending the Montessori Model United Nations Conference in New York City this week.  This will be VIMSIA 7th (at least??) year attending the conference.

On my way to the Montessori Model United Nations, New York, where my daughter Maia will be addressing the topic of Cyber Security in Viet Nam !!!
— Lawrence Aqui, Parent and Chaperone

From the MMUN Website:

Model United Nations is a simulation of the UN General Assembly and other multilateral bodies. In Model UN, students step into the shoes of ambassadors from UN member states to debate current issues on the organization’s agenda. While playing their roles as ambassadors, student “delegates” make speeches, prepare draft resolutions, negotiate with allies and adversaries, resolve conflicts, and navigate the Model UN conference rules of procedure – all in the interest of mobilizing “international cooperation” to resolve problems that affect countries all over the world.

Before playing out their ambassadorial roles in a Model UN simulation, students research the issue that their committee will address. Model UN participants learn how the international community acts on its concerns about topics including peace and security, human rights, the environment, food and hunger, economic development and globalization. Model UN delegates also look closely at the needs, goals and foreign policies of the countries they will represent at the event. The insights they gain from their exploration of history, geography, culture, economics and science contribute to the authenticity of the simulation when the role playing gets under way. The delegates’ in-depth knowledge of their countries guarantees a lively and memorable experience.

- Read more

Bon Voyage PGIA Students to Madrid!

Last week we bid farewell to the Spanish exchange students that were here at VIMSIA for six weeks, and this week we send off our own PGIA contingent to visit their school in Madrid for six weeks.  

Qué increíble oportunidad !  We are so proud of you all for being IB risk-takers and for paving the way for future PGIA language exchange students!  Felicitaciones - que son increíbles !

Weizmann Trip: A Thank You Letter to Our Donors

How do we thank you for providing this life altering experience?  We put this video together and have included some of our reflections.  We hope you enjoy seeing and reading about what this trip meant to each of us.

Most Sincerely,

Marcus, Aneesh, Darby, Hannah, Vanshika and Karen

Robotics Lab at Weizmann

Robotics Lab at Weizmann

Individual Reflections

Andrew Palmer, PGIA Science Educator, Diploma Programme Physics, Middle Years Programme Science

Dear Donors,

I sincerely thank you for your contribution toward the Peter Gruber International Academy’s visit to the Weizmann Institute of Science and for giving each participant the experience of a lifetime. In reading the students’ reflections, it is evident that they realize the wonderful gift that they received and are deeply grateful for the opportunity. I saw with my own eyes their excitement and wonder as they discovered science on their own in Weizmann’s Garden of Science, discussed momentous breakthroughs with leading scientists, and explored the history of Israel. In the following pages, I hope you can sense these emotions in their writing as they describe their experiences while in Israel; I wish only to share three small memories from my time shared with them during the trip.

One of my favorite memories from the entire trip was an Angular Momentum station in the center of the Clore Garden of Science. Aneesh was the first volunteer to wiggle back and forth without rotating at all to show Newton’s First Law of Motion, and was also the first to demonstrate the conservation of angular momentum: as Aneesh leaned back and received a gentle push, he started spinning ever so slowly on the platform until instructed to stand straight up, which caused his angular speed to increase and almost made him sick! After he was able to exit the platform and sit down, Marcus and Darby both seized the opportunity to experience angular momentum for themselves. This exploration and excitement of my students really made me cherish the vision of the Weizmann Institute and their approach to learning.

Waking up at 3:15am is never easy, but waking up at that time and climbing up the height of the Empire State Building is just crazy! Once we arrived, Marcus, Karen, and Darby immediately set off up the Snake Path with Mr. Williams and were some of the first people to reach the summit of Masada, while the rest of us maintained a more manageable pace up the winding trail. Hannah and Vanshika both required multiple stops and water breaks, and Aneesh set a steady pace that he could handle with his anemia. When Aneesh arrived at the top of the trail a half hour after everyone else, everyone was there to greet him; the sense of community and accomplishment among the group was palpable and overwhelming. That glow continued over the next few hours as we toured the ruins of King Herod’s palace and learned the gritty history of the zealot’s resistance against Roman rule one hundred years later.

My final memory that I will impart is that of our final moments in Jerusalem on the last day of our trip. After touring the City of David and trekking six hundred meters through Hezekiah’s aqueduct, reflecting and praying at the Western Wall, and seeing the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, our group weaved through tiny alleys crowded with market vendors to arrive at the Temple Mount just as prayers ended, unfortunately barring our entry into the courtyard. After taking in the sights from the gateway, we then decided to return to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where we witnessed an evening ritual filled with song and prayer that much of the group participated in. The solemn wonder and awe of the event provided a fitting closure to such an amazing and eye-opening week.

I cannot thank you enough for helping our students experience such a beautiful part of our world. Their following testimonies are clear evidence that both their scientific and global outlook has forever changed.

Shalom,

Andrew Palmer


Darby, Grade 10

Studying at Weizmann was an amazing experience!  I learned that science is more than memorizing and learning cold, hard facts; science is the ability to question them, to analyze them, and to draw your own conclusions through observation and experimentation.  It was inspiring to witness brilliant scholars applying their science skills in real life and making monumental discoveries.  I loved learning about physics in the Garden of Science; we were able to gain new insight on laws of motion, waves, light refraction, and magnetism.   However, not only was the garden educational, but it was fun!  Who knew that you could learn about levers by jumping on swings, or learn about the laws of motion while spinning at 70 mph!   The garden reminded me that science has the potential to be educational and enjoyable.  I was very interested in learning about genetic mutations and protein modifications.  One of our instructors was able to use proteins, a tiny part in the human body, to predict the future of genetic diseases, traits, and mutations.  These new techniques and research have the potential to change the field of medicine, and we were fortunate enough to see them at their beginnings. We glimpsed into the minds of the greatest scientists on earth, and learned more about the world around us.  A generation of brilliant minds passed their valuable knowledge to us, and I hope that in the future we will be able to explore and analyze the natural world as well as they have at Weizmann.

I have always been adamant about seizing opportunities and exploring as much of the world as possible.   In order to become well-rounded, open-minded individuals, we must learn about other cultures, and embrace the wonderful traits that make them unique.  Visiting Jerusalem was a deeply moving experience for me.  I am a dedicated Christian, and I have always wanted to see the place where my religion came into existence.  Walking the same paths as the prophets and kings of old was an incredible spiritual journey for me.  One of the most striking memories from this trip was touching and praying at the Western Wall.  In that moment, people of all faiths, all backgrounds, and all races came together to worship their god.  In that one moment, the whole world was at peace, and we were all one.  We celebrated our heritage and rejoiced that against all odds, we were able to push forward and pass on beliefs that would endure for millennia.  Climbing in Masada was a very powerful experience as well; it was my favorite part of our trip.  We saw where hundreds of Jews were martyred, and got a glimpse of their ancient inventions and ways of life through touring the ruins.  The sunrise was breathtaking; it was worth every step of the way.  Beautiful splashes of pink and orange lined the horizon, and the sun rose from the Dead Sea like a pearl of light.  It was a beautiful moment in which I was able to feel the joy of completing a difficult task, and I could appreciate the exquisite marvels of the natural world.

Thank you so much for supporting us in our journey.  I have learned so much, and am infinitely grateful for your contribution.  This was the journey of a lifetime.  I learned so much about science, other culture, and ultimately, myself.  Seeing Israel has given me a more spiritual, open-minded view of the world, and I feel that these experiences have positively influenced me as a person.  I will carry these memories with me for the rest of my life.  I am incredibly grateful; thank you.


Karen, Grade 9

I would like to share my experience at the Weizmann Institute with you through the closing meeting. In this meeting there were clip art cards spread across a table; we were asked to choose some of these cards to either describe our experience at Weizmann or something that happened there. Although I chose many cards, there is only one that I wish to share with you: my final card. It was the silhouette of a man - and in his head, there were gears. I said during this closing meeting, that my favorite part of this trip to Weizmann was seeing, or more accurately, taking a peek into the thoughts and theory and ideas of a dozen different scientists. Just to see a tiny part of how their brains work made the whole trip worth it.

As for Israel, I would like to share with you a quote from our Mr. Michael Bornn, our Head of School, which he shared with me in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher while we stood and looked at a bowl – no a caldron or vat, really, of melted wax. There were candles sticking out at all angles, adding more wax to the vat as they melted. As we stood there staring at this vat a few feet from where Jesus was prepared for burial, he said to us "You are not just little people who don't matter. You all can do great things."  This trip really made those words sink in; better yet, it has made me believe them. I hope with all my heart that you let them sink in and you carry them with you wherever you go; more than that, I hope you believe them as much as I do.


Aneesh, Grade 11

After the whole trip, I think it was a phenomenal experience to look back on. We began activities the morning after we arrived, quickly delving into what the Weizmann Institute had to offer; the Clore Garden of Science was our first stop. Here we saw real life applications and examples of where and how science is being used, alongside various applications to real life. I think that by using these physical structures, which are fun to use, they spark interest in science and explain how things work the way they do and why. By doing this, that interest could turn into a profession and help further the ever-expanding knowledge of the world around us. We met with a couple scientists shortly after who were dealing with the study of neurobiology, this was of particular interest to me as I am studying biology and the brain is a very interesting organ. These experiments researched how animals learn, as well as the things that happen when the brains are modified. The methods used and the topic of studying showed that there are no real limits to where you can go with what you want to study, as long as the scientist believes it worth pursuing. The wave-particle duality was also a topic of interest, as I found it fascinating that something could be partially a particle and partially a wave, and yet both. The more you think about it, the crazier it seems to get, so I’ve learned to accept that knowledge and move on. We then moved over to condensed matter and talking about vortices, and also used liquid nitrogen, which was fun. We learned that by using these vortices we can take an object and keep it in place, such as a magnet floating above where it’s attracted to rather than sticking to it. After that, I got a little more hands on with the substance [liquid nitrogen] and I put gases in it; I broke stuff with it; I made Ice cream and made my hand really cold - good thing I was wearing gloves! I found this fun to do and interesting to play with as I’ve only seen the substance in TV shows and movies, never really being near it, much less using it.

In general I think this trip has broadened my horizons in the field of science, keeping me open to new things and keeping me excited about further knowledge to come. I am studying biology as one of my DP courses and this trip has showed me what is done and what is possible with that basis of knowledge. By also showcasing other areas science, such as physics, which is a class that I am not taking in my DP course, I have learned to keep my mind open to everything. I wasn’t exactly profusely interested, but by seeing all these applications and knowledge that is being found, I have grown to have some interest in it which will help later on in college or maybe even my life. Towards the end of our trip, scientists in the US detected that gravity is in fact a wave, which relates to Einstein’s Theory of Relativity which was almost 100 years ago, and according to the wave-particle duality, if it’s a wave there must be some kind of particle also; we’ll just have to wait and see. 

The second portion of this trip was geared more towards a cultural experience of Israel rather than a science trip; we hiked Masada, visited Jerusalem, swam in the Dead Sea, and camped in a Bedouin tent made of blankets on a mountain. When listed like this it doesn’t seem like much, but I experienced a whole new world by doing these activities. I could see the different religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam - all in one place, worshipping and learning the cultural history behind the city. Hiking Masada was a difficult task and as much as I would like to say that I would have rather taken a tram up to the top, I think the hike made it more of a genuine experience rather than “Eh, I guess Masada is pretty” to more of an appreciation for the architecture and drive of King Herod in order to build a castle on top of that mountain.

I look forward to more students being able to take this trip as it certainly has been a life-changing experience for me. I hope those that come after me have as much of an enriching experience as I have had in the couple of days while I was here in this country.


Vanshika, Grade 10

During the scientific aspect of our expedition to Israel, we were introduced to many different aspects of science at the Weizmann Institute of Science. My love for biology was enhanced through our first session when we visited a lab researching zebra fish’s behavior patterns and dopamine levels. The lesson inspired to me research further about zebra fish, outside of what was taught. The part I enjoyed most was the night when we created ice cream with liquid nitrogen after learning the basics of physics, such as the rates of temperature change and how frequencies affect everything around us. This lesson had the best visuals and liquid nitrogen surprisingly creates very good ice cream! I found robotics to be the most interesting because I have never explored the technological area of science before (coding, programming, etc.) simply because I didn’t think I could do it. However, the lesson taught me not to doubt myself and take every opportunity because even though I thought that I couldn’t do it, I performed the tasks well.

The cultural aspect of the trip was extremely eye-opening. Israeli culture is relatively similar to Indian, with respect to the conservancy and certain customs that the population must uphold. Hiking Masada was an extremely difficult task, but now it is off of my bucket list. I would not do that again, but I am glad to say that I did. This is also how I feel toward swimming in the Dead Sea, which was fun in general; however, consuming the salt in the water was not. I was able to implement my knowledge on the history of Israel during our short and concise tour of Jerusalem. 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.


Marcus, Grade 12

Marcus and Aneesh

Marcus and Aneesh

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! This trip surpassed all of my expectations of the Weizmann Institute of Science, and the country of Israel itself. What an unforgettable, phenomenal experience! My cohorts and I were able to have one of the best exposures to state-of-the-art, frontline scientific technology and witness its advancement in the world, all while exploring ancient history in an area which is the fundamental foundation of three prominent world religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

Where do I start at the Weizmann Institute of Science? Should I describe the wonders of the Clore Garden of Science: a unique outdoor, interactive science museum that brings people of all ages closer together to explore science and all of its fascinating aspects? We had the esteemed pleasure to experience the Clore Garden of Science. We learned about wave behavior through the wave pool and on the trampoluna, I had the chance to experience an elliptical orbit from having the same escape velocity needed to orbit Earth’s moon. Or should I discuss the interactive, hands-on lectures on submicron physics using a Superconductivity QUantum Interference Device (SQUID)? Or should I describe the feelings felt from having a personal interaction with a world-renowned chemist who created a highly effective drug (Copaxone) to combat multiple sclerosis and is presently and positively on the track to discover a cure for influenza, no joke. After speaking with Dr. Ruth Arnon, I realized that there are intimately important careers and jobs that exist in many fields of science, especially concerning Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and I had no idea that these jobs ever existed.

And where should I start with the historic country of Israel and its deeply embedded religious culture: the Masada Desert National Park, a palatial fortress of the last bastion of Jewish freedom fighters against the Romans and a symbol of humanity’s continuous struggle for freedom from oppression, a magnificent sight for all eyes from all corners of the Earth? I am not able to describe the beauty of Masada with enough words. All I can say is that it is a stunning yet isolated fortress of peaceful solitude: a beacon of vitality shining out in an arid desert. Or Jerusalem, with the city of David, the holy city, the capital of an ancient kingdom that is believed by many to be the birthplace of three widely-followed religions. Roaming underground through the aqueduct built by King Hezekiah was a singular experience of anticipation and adventure. Imagine walking through a narrow, but long cave of water up to your knees, with no light but what you carry with you, like an ancient, secret passage. Pretty cool!

Endless opportunity, boundless history, limitless knowledge, and infinite motivation to become a world contributor in the scientific field: these plus more, are what I took away from this exceptional trip. What I have described to you is only a taste of what I experienced. Nonetheless, travelling to Israel was a mind-blowing and eye-opening opportunity! I sincerely thank you for making this trip possible for me and my peers and I hope to visit Israel once more with my family.


Hannah, Grade 10

This past week I have had the opportunity to visit Israel and the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot. During the two and half days that we toured the Institute, I got to experience so many things that have enlightened me to all the amazing science around us and also narrow down my career path in the field of science. One of my most meaningful experiences was when my peers and I got to tour a scientific lab that was being conducted using Zebra Fish. With these fish, the scientist that we met was studying behavioral patterns and endorphins, which even relates to and can be implemented with humans. I also really enjoyed learning about studies that were being conducted using mice to test and study serious afflictions, such as Alzheimer’s and different strains of cancer. We also had the opportunity to experiment with liquid nitrogen and even made ice cream, which was a fun break from the intensity of the course. However, I have to say that meeting Dr. Ruth Arnon, an amazing immunologist, was my favorite experience. It was inspiring to be able to listen to her immense knowledge in the field and her development of a new, efficient drug that will be used to combat influenza worldwide. All in all, I was not only able to tour the vast, highly innovative and advanced Weizmann Institute, but was exposed to new science advancements that could be released years from now, which is mind-blowing.

I also absolutely loved the experience of Israel itself. Together, we were able to visit Rehovot, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem, as well as Masada, En Gedi Nature Reserve, and swim in the Dead Sea. Before this trip, I had never been out of the country, and never in my life been exposed to such rich culture, ancient architecture, and history. One of my favorite experiences was when we camped overnight at an oasis in the desert and then hiked to the top of Masada to see the sunrise and tour the ruins of King Herod’s palace. The architecture and history was astounding and beautiful. In general, I also really loved the city of Jerusalem. It was amazing to think how some of the architecture had been there for more than 3,000 years. My most meaningful experience in Israel was visiting The Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Jesus Christ died for our sins. The church was breathtaking; even though the architecture was thousands of years old, it was the most beautiful thing I have seen in my entire life. We were given the freedom during our visit to walk around, pray, write notes, and admire our surroundings. Leaving Israel, I feel much closer with G-d, and just more confident in my intelligence and in life in general. During this trip, not only was I inspired to pursue a career in science, but to continue traveling the world as much as I can. Traveling to Israel was life-altering and I am so appreciative to have the opportunity.


Thank you for making this trip a reality!

PGIA Students Ending their week at The Weizmann Institute in Israel

After three days of pure science at the Weizmann Institute, the PGIA students and their chaperones were able to visit some of the most historic sites on earth.  They stayed in a bedouin tent in the Masada Desert and hiked to the top of the plateau for sunrise and a tour of ruins that date back to the first century BC.  They swam in the Dead Sea and apparently had a lovely mud spa as well.  On to Jerusalem and seeing firsthand this historic place that evokes so much passion around the world.

We wish them peace and safety in their travels back home to friends and families that have missed them ever so much!

Day 2 for PGIA Students at The Weizmann Institute of Science

From Michael Bornn:  The students are immersed in science.  Today we started at 9:00 am with our first lab, it's now 9:25 pm and they are still in a lab.  And no one is complaining. In fact I have had to pull students out of labs to go to the next lab. One of our talented students asked the professor " if I could come back later".   Each student is finding their interests. They are interacting with each other more and more. Mr. Palmer is observing their interests and adding more lessons over breakfast and dinner breaks.  All I have to do is listen, watch and try and recall my science knowledge to follow the topics.  They are also observing and learning about the Israeli way of life.

Bon Voyage! PGIA Students Visit Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science!

IMG_0013.JPG

Six PGIA students are traveling to Israel to visit the world renowned Weizmann Institute of Science.  The PGIA has been collaborating with the Weizmann Institute online for the past several years as a part of our End Session STEM programs.  This year we were invited to send students to a specially created Science Camp just for us!  Mr. Bornn, Andy Palmer - Physics and Science Teacher, and Mr. Kevin Williams are chaperoning the group.  PGIA 12th grader Marcus, 11th grader Aneesh, 10th graders Darby, Hannah and Vanshika and 9th grader Karen head out today and will return next Sunday. 

The trip will begin with a three day science camp at the institute with some of the most accomplished scientific minds in the world!  The group will also visit the Masada Desert, the Dead Sea and Jerusalem.  What an amazing opportunity for these young minds!

This year alone, VIMSIA students will have traveled to Santa Domingo, Madrid, Israel, China, New York, Amsterdam and the Yucatan.  Incroyable!

Eagle scouts: chaperones Andy and Kevin with student marcus

Eagle scouts: chaperones Andy and Kevin with student marcus

So here's a tip.  If you are sending your child to the middle of the desert, send them with three Eagle Scouts!

Life isn’t meant to be lived caged within walls and mindsets. The only way to break free from the shackles of monotony is to travel. Bon voyage.
I throw my glass, that others might throw their jade.
— Peter Gruber

A huge thank you to all of the donors that made this trip possible!  

2016 End Session - An Adventure in Learning

The PGIA has a well-established tradition of "End Session".  End Session, as you might guess, happens the end of each school year - the last two to three weeks.  It provides an opportunity for students to study an area of interest for the full period, without the distraction of other classes, homework, etc.  The PGIA staff put together 7 to 10-ish great programs for these periods and each teacher or two mentor their own program and group. 

This year's choices were announced last night to a full house of PGIA students and parents.   Without further ado, here they are!

Canada End Session - Women's World Cup

End Sessions are just swimming along.  Here is an email just received from Ms. Elger.  She and Mr. Elger have the Women's World Cup - Canadian Cultural Experience End Session.  Sounds like all is well and kids are happy!  

Good afternoon, everyone,

I hope this finds you well. I apologize I haven’t sent an update. The WiFi at our hotel was a bit spotty the last two nights. We are currently on the train from Quebec to Montreal.

Short story, everyone is fine. A few of us are getting a little sick, but we’re managing it with Advil Sinus, EmergenC, fluids and rest. We think it has a lot to do with the temperature change. It’s been cold and we had rain today, so we’re all adjusting to Canada from our sunny STT. Since the last email, we have seen sights, shopped, ate, went to a hockey game, and ridden buses and trains.

Long story, your students are just amazing! Joey and I have been inspired by their abilities to take risks. Each of you would be very proud. On Sunday, we started our day with discovering a beautiful bakery. The food was just delicious! It was an inspiring way to begin our glorious day. We took the bus to Old Town, and students had a few hours to explore and shop on their own. We then took the funicular to a plaza where we were entertained by a street performer. We had breath-taking views of the St. Lawrence River and got to see the Chateau Frontenac, one of the most photographed hotels in the world and where Churchill and Roosevelt planned the D-Day invasion. We then ate poutine for lunch, while a few students went to a Creperie. We ventured back to the hotel, had some downtime, and left for the hockey game. The Memorial Cup was amazing! The students really enjoyed their first live hockey game. It went into overtime, and the ending was very dramatic! It was a great game. We had lights out when we returned to the hotel, and everyone was tucked safely and soundly in their beds. The following day, the group went to an amazing market. Many of the students enjoyed the fresh tomatoes! Our plan was to go to a museum about the French/Indian War, but the restoration that should have finished in April was still on-going. So, we just enjoyed playing in a huge field. A few students rolled all the way to the bottom. We got some great videos of this! Afternoon naps and downtime at the hotel followed. We then left for our “fancy” dinner. What fun!! Everyone looked so precious all dressed up. Our waiter was fantastic, and the food was out of this world. Our party ordered everything from steaks to pate to rabbit to liver to truffles to homemade sodas and several things in between. Everyone really enjoyed themselves and each other. We then returned to the hotel for downtime before lights out at midnight. We knew today would be cold and rainy, so we planned a day inside at a local mall. Students shopped to their hearts content and ate from all the options at the food court. Mr. Elger and I saw an IMAX film in French and gave the students Krispy Kreme doughnuts. We took a bus back to the hotel, grabbed our bags, took a bus to the train station, and boarded the train. We will arrive in Montreal around 6:00 and check into our hotel. Tonight will be an easy and relaxing one. Tomorrow, we will be sight-seeing and spectators at an MLS game. The next day, we will be at an amusement park.

Again, I cannot tell you how fantastic your children are being. They are so polite when we are on any form of public transportation, always offering their seats to locals. They open doors for each other. They’re just really great young people. I know y’all miss them, but thank you for letting us have this experience with them.

Please text or email if you need us.

Take Care,
Elizabeth

Peru End Session - Spanish Immersion - Update from Mr. Gever

This is an update that was received from Mr. Gever, who is traveling is Peru with Ms. Weichman and the Spanish Immersion End Session Group.  Enjoy!  Hopefully more good pictures to follow.

We have done tons of walking at very high altitude, 11,000+ feet, and it's freezing cold (for us) but there has not been any significant grumbling. 

We met a lady the other day on one of the tours and asked her if her hotel had heating, as our apartment doesn't.  (You have to muster up all your courage just to go to the bathroom.)  She said she wasn't sure if there was heat or not in her hotel and added, "Why would you need it?".  She's from London.  

This is really an amazing place to visit.  The natural landscapes are amazing.  We went through the Sacred Valley yesterday, a long, narrow valley boxed in by steep mountains on both sides and occasional towering peaks, some permanently covered in snow.  Blending in in a very organic way, ancient Incan agricultural terraces and ruined cities.  It's also fascinating to think that the rushing rivers draining to the east feed into the Amazon jungle.  We are just at the edge between the Andes altiplano and the Amazon rainforest.  Next week we are going to Machu Picchu, which I think actually lies within the rainforest.  

We went to a village yesterday where we were shown how traditional weaving and dying is done.  All the Quechua-speaking ladies were dressed in their traditional garb (but not just for the tourists).  One of them had actually learned enough English to explain everything to us in English.  (Unfortunately, the tour was not in Spanish.)  She had a really cute accent, and even made jokes.  It was amazing to see the variety of colors they can extract from different plants and the cochineal insect.  They showed us how pure cochineal gives a black color, but when mixed with lemon juice it produces an orange color.  

I also learned in a private discussion with our tour guide, that all those hand-made alpaca sweaters us tourists love to buy are not really alpaca wool.  She said a pure alpaca sweater would cost about $100, which is why most Peruvians don't wear it.  If it's "baby alpaca" (first cut), double the price   The best quality wool is from the vicuña, which is what the Incan emperors used.  These days a sweater made of this type of wool would cost upwards of $500! The guide also told me that cochineal is extremely expensive and is not used for dying any ordinary garments.