Pi Day Fun!
by Jordin Lim
Pi Day, celebrated March 14, is the celebration of mathematical constant 𝝅, due to its numerical date (3.14) representing the first three digits of pi.
Fun fact: Pi Day also happens to be Albert Einstein’s birthday
Physicist Larry Shaw, who found Pi Day in 1988, had the first Pi Day celebration at his place of work, the Exploratorium, a San Francisco-based interactive science museum. However, Pi Day was not deemed a national holiday until 2009, after the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation making it one.
Pi Info
Although our Science Academy students are more than well-acquainted with pi, it is still useful to note what it is and its significance in everyday life.
What is pi?
Ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes is most commonly credited to be the first to accurately calculate the approximate value of pi. In mathematics, pi is the constant ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, regardless of its size.
Fun fact: The word “pi” itself is derived from the first letter of the Greek word perimetros, meaning circumference.
What is the significance of pi?
Although you may not find yourself using pi every day, pi is used in many calculations for buildings and construction, engineering, and many other fields. In addition, NASA regularly uses pi to calculate trajectories of spacecraft. Not only that, but pi gives us a reason to feast on pie every March 14, although who really needs a reason to eat pie any day of the year?
Pi Day Festival
On March 17, Science Academy held our infamous Pi Day Festival, which had to be delayed to the new date due to rain on March 14. This festival consisted of many fun activities and carnival games, including ring toss, pie eating contests, and even throwing whipped cream pies at the teachers! (I saw a catapult at this event, and I hope it was used) In addition, there were other booths selling refreshments and giving students their pre-ordered pizzas.
The prizes given out at the carnival games were quite great – many people entered their class after lunch bearing multitudes of stuffed animals – I personally won two lollipops myself.
I hear the Pi Day Festival is a fan favorite among the student body, so I can’t wait to see it again next year!
Photo Gallery
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8th Grade Science Fair Interviews
by Ryan Park
For Science Academy’s 2022-2023 Science Fair, I interviewed two 8th graders to learn more about their projects: Dani Tsao, 1st place winner, and Aspen Chung, 2nd place winner.
* Dani Tsao’s Science Fair project built on her experiment from last year in creating a new type of solar panel.
What inspired you to choose your Science Fair topic?
My experiment this year is a continuation of last year’s project. I first thought of my idea when I was driving around my neighborhood and realized that there are mainly two types of solar panels: a) those that create electricity, and b) those that heat up water. When I saw this, I thought “Why can’t there be a solar panel to do both?”
What experiment did you do? What were your hypothesis and results?
With the above question in mind, I combined an electricity-generating and a water-heating solar system. Although the solar panel efficiency increased, I have thought of another idea for further improvement.
This year, I decided to make a control system that rotates the solar panel so that it always faces the sun. My results showed that this new solar panel design, combined with improved thermal insulation, increased the electricity-generating efficiency as well as heated up the water more. Compared to the original solar panel idea, this new design increased the energy capture efficiency by 25 – 30%.
Is there anything you’d like to say about receiving 1st place in your grade level?
I am very appreciative of this project because it allowed me to use the information I learned in Mr. Bradfield’s class about Arduinos and soldering. The award gives me a lot of satisfaction, but I think there are still more problems to be solved.
Dani at the L.A. County Science Fair
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* Aspen Chung’s Science Fair project was about the growing danger of climate change and her method of using cleaner alternatives to carbon fossil fuels.
What inspired you to choose your Science Fair topic?
Our world is powered by fuel, ranging from transportation to heating to factories that produce many of the goods used in our daily lives. However, many of the non-green fuels that are commonly used contribute to climate change through carbon dioxide emissions, a greenhouse gas that is damaging our ozone layer. And in a world that is aiming to become greener, I believe it’s important to explore cleaner alternatives for fuel, such as hydrogen gas, which only emits water vapor as a byproduct.
What experiment did you do? What were your hypothesis and results?
My project focuses on finding the most effective way to produce hydrogen gas, which acts as a clean fuel source, through electrolysis. I varied the amounts of magnesium sulfate between 20 grams, 45 grams, and 75 grams to test how it affected the rate of electrolysis and the change in pH. I hypothesized that if the water has more magnesium sulfate, then the rate of electrolysis will be faster and the pH will change quickly. My hypothesis was proven correct through my experiment, where 75 grams of magnesium sulfate produced the fastest-changing pH, demonstrating a more efficient rate of electrolysis.
Aspen’s Science Fair Board
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7th Grade Science Fair Interviews
by Liz Zarikyan
This year’s Science Fair, which took place February 6-8th, was a showcase of projects from 7th and 8th grade students that uncovered mysteries, revealed solutions to some of our world problems, and even provided resources to use in case of emergency. I interviewed some of the 7th grade winners to find out more about their projects.
Jordan R. – Honorable Mention – 7th grade
What was the title of your project? 
The Effects of Proteinase K on the Biodegradation of Plastic
Why did you choose to do this project?
I was interested in finding a way to safely degrade plastic because I’ve seen plastic pollution and have wondered how that problem could be solved. Only around 9 percent of plastic is recycled so I started my research to see if there was any way to eliminate it. I thought this method was a good option for dealing with the problem, and Proteinase K got my attention due to its ability to degrade the polymers in plastic. The surrounding soil is used through the existing microbes that consume the lactic acids which are created when the polymer is broken down by the enzyme.
Did you have any complications when working on your project?
It was hard to find proteinase K, which is an enzyme used in molecular biology. It was hard to find because it’s not an item that’s bought on a day-to-day basis, making it less available. I didn’t consider purchasing other enzymes because I researched other “digestive” enzymes such as lipase and I found that they would not be effective on plastic. I originally tried to obtain the enzyme from BLIRT, which is the primary European manufacturer of recombinant enzymes, but after applying for an offer and not getting a response, I searched for other suppliers and was then able to purchase it on eBay.
What was your process?
I tested the effects of the enzyme on the plastic by embedding the different amounts (0 mg, 10 mg, 40 mg) into 50 g of soil and then using that to cover plastic disks that came from disposable food containers. After 2 weeks of putting these out in the sun, I used Image J, which is a Java-based image processing program that provides the function of calculating the surface area within an image.
What were your results?
Proteinase K helps biodegrade plastic by a decent amount. 40 mg of Proteinase K was able to lower the surface area of plastic by over 8% in just 2 weeks.
If you could do this experiment again, what would you change?
I would run more trials because I want to test out increasing the amount of enzyme and/or composting time period.
What was the best part of your experiment?
The best part of the experiment was seeing how the plastic had degraded. I was interested to see how the experiment would turn out and was happy that it worked.
Paria V. & Kayla A. – tied for 1st place – 7th grade
What was the title of your project?
“Water on the Go: Creating an Emergency Water Filter”
Why did you choose to do this project?
We set out to create a water filter that could be used while hiking with available water, so we wanted to find out how much cleaner you can make dirty water through a mechanical process. Also, there is a shortage of clean water around the world due to natural disasters and human-orientated events, and this process could possibly allow for places around the world to have drinkable water.
What were your results?
We measured our results using a TDS meter. The TDS meter measures parts per million (PPM) of dissolved sediments in a substance. In our first trial, we had a starting PPM of 311 and a resulting PPM of 273. In our second trial, the starting PPM was 357, and it resulted as a PPM of 303. In our third trial, we started with a very high PPM of 493, which is close to the highest contaminant level and highly dangerous to consume. The resulting PPM was 343, which was a very significant change. It brought water with an almost max contaminant level down to the same PPM as tap water.
What was the best part of your experiment?
The best part was testing each layer before putting it in the filter to see how it would filter dirty water on its own. The layers we used were two pieces of foam on each end, then a starting layer of charcoal, then sand, then small rocks, and lastly, a final layer of charcoal. These layers were separated by a small layer of straining fabric so they wouldn’t mix. We decided to add another layer of charcoal, because we found that it was the best filtering factor. Something interesting we found was that when you pour water onto activated charcoal, at first it will sizzle and bubble. Afterwards, the water started to run clear, showing that the charcoal did a lot of the work. The activated charcoal strips out the toxins and odors in the water. The sand and rocks removed the larger sediments before reaching the last layer of charcoal.
What was the process after you figured out your layers?
We drilled a hole into the cap of a bottle and cut the bottom off. We then sealed a coupling into the drilled hole with waterproof silicon to ensure it wouldn’t leak. Next, we attached tubing from the coupling to the main filter and in the middle placed a valve. The valve starts and stops the water flow. This part of the mechanism does not affect the results of the filter, but it does make the filter easier to use.
Did you have any complications when working on your project?
It was hard to drill a hole in the bottle cap, and it was hard to get the cloth pieces in the tube. We also had an unexpected trial when testing our filter when the PPM actually increased, meaning the water got dirtier. This was a result of us not compressing the layer enough, so the sediments got stuck in between the layers.
If you could do this experiment again, what would you change?
To improve our project we could add either a solar panel pump or a hand pump. This is because our filter was a bit slow because of the many thick layers. This would pump in the water, making it faster and more convenient. A hand pump would be added in case a large amount of clean water is needed in a short amount of time. We could also add a stand because it took two hands to hold the filter. If a stand is added, then the filter would be completely automatic and convenient. These add-ons are not necessary for the filter to work in case of an emergency, but they would be very helpful.
Final filtration process
Illustration of how solar power could be used to power water filtration on a larger scale
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Changes Coming to LAUSD Cafeterias
by Anaelle Tadros
During lunchtime, there’s always a line in front of the cafeteria. Some people enjoy the food and others hate it, but we can all agree that the cafeteria is a good resource when you’re hungry and don’t have anything to eat. Although the cafeteria has its fair share of good and bad days when it comes to food, satisfaction really depends on the taste buds of those eating the menu items. Compared to the past, the cafeteria food offered by LAUSD has actually improved quite a bit over the years. There used to be less of a variety of foods, and they often served warmed up foods in their plastic casings. Several years ago, the district upgraded their menu and really made an effort to serve healthier food and to have more fresh food options. However, not every student has appreciated the changes so now the district is trying to tackle the issue of food appeal in addition to serving healthier items. As of 2022, LAUSD is experimenting with new food choices. According to a source, the district brought in about 30 students in the summer of 2022 to try out some new menu items in an effort to have more choices that the students will eat and enjoy while also keeping it nutritious. Some of the new food items that have been added to their menu are smoothies (which we first saw at the end of last semester), chicken rice and bean bowls, mac ‘n’ cheese, kung pao chicken, nachos, and even different types of cookies.
Aside from the new variety of foods and the fresher appearance, the school district is starting to come up with food options that are flexible for certain dietary restrictions. This means that LAUSD is finally coming up with daily menu options that are good for vegetarians, vegans, and lactose-intolerant people. According to one student, “The cafeteria only [recognizes dietary restrictions] sometimes, and for some religions or cultures.” For example, there are meatless Mondays and fish and salads, but items such as these have not been available every day. They are also planning on expanding their ethnic food offerings by bringing more diverse cuisines from multiple cultures into their menus.
Students at the Science Academy STEM Magnet were surveyed to see what their favorite foods were, along with their opinions on our school’s cafeteria system and how it may be improved. Most of the students believe that the cafeteria system should allow students to choose what they want to eat instead of being told what to choose and feel that this could improve the system because then the food could be given to students who actually want to eat it rather than it just being thrown in the trash can at the end. Some of our students’ favorites are hot dogs, chicken nuggets, chicken sandwiches, nachos, salads, and chicken rice and bean bowls. Hopefully, we will soon see more expanded options at our cafeteria!
Student Feedback Surveys
Multiple students participated in student surveys about the cafeteria food, they were asked:
- Is the food at the cafeteria good or bad? What specifically about it is good or bad?
- What are some of their best dishes?
- In what ways could the cafeteria improve its food?
- Does the cafeteria food show cultural awareness? (for example, for religions that cannot eat animal products at certain times, does the cafeteria have other choices that those people can eat?)
Here are some notable answers given by a few of the surveys:
Name: Anonymous
- What are some of their best dishes?
- “Hot dog and the dish that has chicken rice and beans.”
- In what ways could the cafeteria improve its food?
- “Better rice, they could allow the students to pick what they want instead of choosing for them.”
Name: Anonymous
- In what ways could the cafeteria improve its food?
- “The facility within the parameters of the Science Academy STEM Magnet that serves dishes could build onto their low success by giving [people] the ability to choose item of their preference.”
Name: Anonymous
- Is the food at the cafeteria good or bad?
- “It is mostly bad because the food isn’t fresh and it serves milk instead of water.”
- In what ways could the cafeteria improve its food?
- “Don’t force children to get something they aren’t going to eat, therefore giving more food to the people who want it.”
- Does the cafeteria food show cultural awareness?
- “The cafeteria only does this sometimes and for some religions/cultures. There are meatless Mondays and fish, and salads, but not everyday.”
Amongst the surveys, hot dogs were a favorite. Otherwise, many students wished for more variety and stated the cafeteria’s cultural awareness could improve, but the menu is definitely considerate of certain groups’ nutritional rules. A possible enhancement of cafeteria food would be to allow students to have more of a choice in the school’s menu as to avoid wasting food or dissatisfaction.
Sources
LAUSD students get to taste test new cafeteria food – Daily News
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Happy Valentine’s Day!
by Desmond Devine, NewsFlash Resident Curmudgeon
Valentine’s Day has come once again to entice and torment us all, so it’s time to unravel the tangled history of the holiday. But before that, we must acknowledge the first ASB event of the year: the Love and Kindness Fest. Taking place during an extended lunch (yay!), activities included games such as cornhole and sack races, a scavenger hunt, flower bouquet crafting, and a marriage booth with Polaroid mementos. Much fun, pizza, and candy were had by all!
Leading up to Love Fest, we celebrated a Love and Kindness Spirit Week, which included:
Heart Day: Everyone received a heart-shaped pin — strike that — bracelet to wear during first period — um, wait — seventh period on Monday — nope, make that Tuesday — and guffawed at each other’s corny messages for the rest of the day.
If the pins had this message, I’d wear one every day.
Pajama Day: The obligatory classic. We all know and love this one.
Duo Day: Students wore matching outfits with somebody else. Seems to be an adaptation of the Discord trend.*
*Disclaimer: Nothing stated in this article should be construed as an endorsement or acceptance of the evil scourge known as Discord.
Rose Day: Students were asked to wear Red, Pink, or White outfits to mimic the colors of roses. ASB should know, however, that roses can be yellow and purple, too!
This isn’t just a random image from the internet. I swear, I have a yellow rose bush in my own backyard!
Tie Day: The exact opposite of Pajama Day, where people dressed as if they were going to an actual wedding.
Comfort or style? You decide.
So where does all this celebration of love come from, you may ask? We’re always told that Valentine’s Day is named after St. Valentine, but who exactly is it referring to? There are actually many saints named Valentine or a name similar to Valentine. The name derives from the Latin word “Valentinus”, meaning powerful. One popular tale depicts a priest named Valentine who went against an unjust law formed by Emperor Claudius II in third century Rome, which prohibited young adults from being married. This Valentine was executed for continuing to marry younger couples. A bishop, St. Valentine of Terni, who was also executed by Claudius II, is another potential contender.
St. Valentine healing prisoners. St. Valentine is the patron saint of epilepsy, and some believed that he helped or even cured people with the disorder.
One legend states that, while Valentine was on death row, he fell in love with his jailer’s daughter, who he had cured of blindness, and sent her a letter addressed “From Your Valentine”. In the story, this would be the first valentine ever sent.
Valentine’s Day is believed to have originated from the celebration of Lupercalia. It took place on February 15th, honoring the Roman god of agriculture, Faunus. Traditions included sacrificing a goat, soaking its hide in its blood, and brushing the hide against crop fields for fertility. This holiday was banned by Pope Gelasius in the fifth century for being paganistic, i.e. just a bit too bloody, and soon the 14th of February was declared St. Valentine’s Day.
It wasn’t until the Middle Ages that Valentine’s Day was associated with love. In France and England, people believed that February 14th was the start of birds’ mating seasons, and a poet named Geoffrey Chaucer wrote Parliament of Foules, the first written work that described Valentine’s Day as a celebration of romance. It was written in 1375, an interesting coincidence due to that being in the 14th century. In the 1400s, valentine greetings started to become popular. The oldest one was written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife, while he was in the Tower of London as a prisoner of the Battle of Agincourt.
This is the actual valentine of 1415. Cue the “And I can’t even get a text back” jokes!
A long time later, during the mid-18th century, it became commonplace for all types of people to exchange valentines. The mass production of valentines became a profitable business, with Valentine’s Day cards emerging in the early 20th century. And so, Valentine’s Day went from a day of simply expressing love for others to a breeding ground for companies like Hallmark, which sells around 131 million cards a year along with Christmas ornaments and home decor. And don’t forget those corny Christmas films!
Commercial aspects of the modern Valentine’s Day
As mentioned, Valentine’s cards are very popular with people who celebrate the holiday, with around 190 million valentines being sent every February 14th, the second-most for any holiday observed in the US, surpassed only by Christmas. This amount doesn’t include the millions exchanged at elementary schools between students. One billion dollars are spent on candy and chocolates, which include 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and 7 billion Sweethearts candies sold each Valentine’s Day. Necco, the company which started printing messages on heart-shaped lozenge candies in 1866, went bankrupt in 2018 and sold the candy to Spangler, which has been producing the candies since 2020.
Seriously, who would want to go out with someone who unironically likes these puns?
According to an Ipsos poll conducted in 2022, flowers gifted on Valentine’s Day account for 30% of the flowers sold for the entire year. Flowers are a widely known gift to give to a loved one on Valentine’s Day, with about 250 million roses being grown for the holiday alone. Red roses are greatly associated with love, and were considered the favorite flower of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite (known in Roman mythology as Venus). Fun facts: more men buy flowers for their beloved than women, and more women buy flowers for themselves than men.
While Valentine’s Day is more commercialized than ever before, we all should remember the original meaning of the holiday and take time to express our gratitude for our family, friends, and significant others. However, if you’re concerned about not having any significant others, no worries! Always remember…
The truth, and nothing but the truth
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Sources:
https://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day-2
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Valentine
https://www.history.com/news/6-surprising-facts-about-st-valentine
https://epilepsysociety.org.uk/blog/link-between-saint-valentine-and-epilepsy
https://web.archive.org/web/20060506195745/http://www.necco.com/AboutUs/History.asp
https://safnow.org/aboutflowers/holidays-occasions/valentines-day/valentines-day-floral-statistics/
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Middle School Fall Art Contest
By Maleeya Mickelson
The winner of the 2022 Science Academy Middle School Fall Art Contest is Sasha Vitryanyuk for her art submission titled The Beginning of a Cozy, Magical, and Pokemon Fall Season. Sasha won a $25 Amazon gift card after receiving the most votes from the student body.
Additional winners in the art contest include second place winner Dasha Vitryanyuk for her artwork The Beginning of Fall Sprung, and third place winner Hasmik Yedoyan for her submission Pumpkin Still Life. The prize for second place was a fall-themed diamond art painting and sketchbook, while third place won a candy goodie bag.
The following students received honorary mention for their submissions: Alex Lee who drew The Hunter and Rebecca Finklestein who drew Hello My Name is Fall. They each won a bag of candy.
The Fall Art Contest took place from October 14th – November 9th. All of the artwork submitted is currently displayed in the form of a collage in the hallway. During the judging process, ASB narrowed down the entries to 8 pieces. The student body was then able to vote on their favorite artworks via a Google form posted on the Science Academy Student Body Outreach Schoology group.
The Beginning of a Cozy, Magical, and Pokemon Fall Season by Sasha Vitryanyuk
First Place – “This artwork represents the fall season with Pokemon, as many join together and celebrate by sharing their jokes, fruits, chats, and dances. This corresponds to the theme, ‘How do you celebrate fall?’, because I think of the season of fall by hanging out with others, eating together, sharing cultures and facts about each other, and much more! I showed this by adding Pokemon to the artwork, as each of them are chatting, dancing, and eating all together and just having a good time. The setting has many orange, red, brown, and yellow leaves because these are the fall season’s main colors.”
The Beginning of Fall Sprung by Dasha Vitryanyuk
Second Place – “The artwork I made reminded me of how fall changed the weather, the temperature, the colors, and many more fascinating things. This artwork represents how fall changes our atmosphere, when all of the leaves are dried and colored differently. My artwork corresponds to the theme ‘How do we celebrate fall?’ because this piece shows the freedom and peace of walking through a trail of orange, yellow, and red colored trees. Our feelings and attitude of fall describe this piece of art. A person going on a nature walk to see the autumn colored trees is a representation of a festive fall.”
Pumpkin Still Life by Hasmik Yedoyan
Third Place – “My artwork is a picture of a pumpkin made to look imperfect. It corresponds to the theme because pumpkins represent fall, mainly Thanksgiving and Halloween.”
The Hunter by Alex Lee
Honorary Mention – “I drew a man with a boar’s head for a mask. He is a trophy hunter, and autumn is traditionally the hunting season.”
Hello My Name is Fall by Rebecca Finklestein
Honorary Mention – “It represents the multiple aspects of fall and how I celebrate them. Part of it shows candy, which tells that I celebrate Halloween by enjoying candy. The apples dipped in honey are supposed to show celebrating Rosh Ha’Shannah. The books and globes show how I celebrate the start of school by, obviously, going to school and trying my best to get good grades. And finally, the feathers with “Thanksgiving” written on them show celebrating that holiday. The autumn leaves shows nature celebrating by changing the color of its leaves.”
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Fall Movie Night
by Jordin Lim
Movie Night, which occurred Friday, September 30th, was a great event for the entire school to enjoy. ASB sold snacks and sodas, including chips and candies. Students could bring blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, etc. to make sure they were comfy for this fun event.
Before the movie, Ratatouille, started, music videos of popular songs were displayed on the inflatable movie screen to entertain the students. Everyone had a great time, whether they were running around or simply joking with their friends.
The time came when the movie began, and everyone was very excited. The field quieted down as the opening scenes of the movie, about a Parisian rat named Remi who loves to cook, played and although many students had previously seen it, it was wonderful to relive favorite scenes and moments in the company of friends.
It was honestly a very enjoyable movie. There were many parts where the entire field would burst out laughing and wouldn’t stop until a few minutes later.
This scene got the night’s biggest laugh!
All in all, Movie Night was a great experience where students were able to sit back after a long week and enjoy themselves as they hung out and joked around with their peers.
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A Midsummer Night’s Dream
by Milan Riley
Introduction
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a popular play written by William Shakespeare, a playwright during the age of the English Renaissance. Historians estimate that this particular play was first written between 1594 and 1596. It was originally published in 1600 and once more in 1619, despite being primarily meant to be performed in a theater rather than read. The play was further included in the First Folio, a collection of Shakespeare’s plays, released in 1623, seven years after Shakespeare’s death, in honor of the great playwright. The collection was the first to group his plays into three categories: comedies, which often included humorous characters and happy endings; histories, which were usually based on real historical people and events; and tragedies, which most likely ended with the sad death of a hero. It is believed that A Midsummer Night’s Dream, considered a comedy, was first performed on January 1, 1605, at an aristocratic wedding with Queen Elizabeth I in attendance.
Portrait of Shakespeare
Plot
Many philologists, people who study literature, infer that A Midsummer Night’s Dream was influenced by other stories such as Edmund Spenser’s “Epithalamion,” Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Chaucer’s “The Knight’s Tale,” Greek legends about Theseus and Hippolyta, and also the German poem “Der Busant.” This combination of inspirations and Shakespeare’s own creativity combined to become the comedy that readers know today.
Similar to other comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream has a “fool” character, named Nick Bottom, who provides comic relief throughout the play. He is commonly remembered for his transformation into a donkey at the hands of Puck, the mischievous fairy. Other main characters include Hermia and Lysander, two lovers who do not have Hermia’s father’s blessing. This drama also involves Demetrius, the man Hermia’s father would rather she marry, and Helena, Hermia’s best friend who loves Demetrius. Throughout the play, Puck’s use of a flower that makes a person love whoever they first see causes even more drama amongst this tangled “love square”.
Relationship Chart
8th Grade Field Trip
On September 22, 2022, the 8th graders at the Science Academy STEM Magnet were fortunate enough to see this play performed in person at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. This theater is an outdoor, open-air stage in the mountains of Topanga Canyon. The performance included interactive sections, choreography, and singing. In addition, the students were able to experience the theater’s workshops beforehand, trying our hand at such skills as as juggling, dancing, stage-fighting, and more.
The Theatricum Botanicum
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Aviation Club
by Ryan Park
The Aviation Club is a new club formed this year that helps to educate members around aspects of the field of aviation and to teach its members the mechanics and engineering behind aviation. It was founded by Aviation Club president, Solomon Sharp, who answered a few questions recently in order to encourage students to join. The club meets every Wednesday after school in Mr. Bradfield’s room, located in W30.
When simulating a version of flight, the Aviation Club uses multiple tools in order to have members experience the closest thing to real flight. They have multiple tools that have been programmed to act like the real tools you would find in an aircraft such as the yoke, also known as the control stick. The yoke is used in order to control the movement of the aircraft inside the simulators.
What is the purpose of your club?
The Aviation Club is based on educating our members about all aspects of aviation as a whole and teaching them how to use flight simulation technology. As the world is in high demand for pilots and engineers, having knowledge and experience in the field is an important foundation when choosing a career related to aviation. Being involved with aircraft requires many different skills, many of which are applicable to everyday life, and none are exclusive to a specific field. When I started my training as a pilot several years ago, I realized how much I wanted to share this world with other people wanting to take that first step, and how beneficial it could be to their lives.
What is some background info about your club?
A technical and mechanical understanding of aircraft, such as understanding the science of how a vehicle flies and what comes with it, is important not only for engineers but for pilots as well. Flying requires a fundamental understanding of the machine you are commanding and by having that understanding, you can be that much more effective. Aerodynamics, engine mechanics, electronics, and more all go beyond aviation and can be applied in many different fields. One of the most important skills in the world of aviation, though, is of teamwork. Every pilot, engineer, and mechanic all work in conjunction with one another, and none can work with a missing link.
What are some major projects you plan on releasing?
This year, one of our goals is to get everyone hands-on experience with real aircraft, both for maintaining them and flying them. We have already formed strong connections with professional aviators, and the date is currently being coordinated for these goals to be achieved. We are also shooting for designing a remote control model for a plane/drone and constructing it to demonstrate the effectiveness of our design.
What would you say to people interested in your club?
To anyone who is interested in the club, feel free to come and check it out! If you want to see what we’re up to, come to Mr. Bradfield’s room on Wednesdays after school and you might catch us on the simulators. We would love to have new members, and if anyone is interested in joining, come and let me know!
Club pictures
Grit STEM Talk
by Ryan Park
The SciFi Parents sponsored our first in-person STEM Talk of the school year in December with Joshua Spitzen, a man familiar with the concept of success. Having graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Pomona College with a focus in Mathematical Economics, Josh was always on a path of betterment. After graduating from Pomona, he became an investment banker with Patricof and Co. in New York City, helping to manage several mergers and acquisitions. Josh later followed his passion for fitness, serving as an executive with Equinox Fitness Clubs where he honed his leadership acumen. Eventually, Mr. Spitzen joined one of the nation’s largest real estate companies, Keller Williams, with high ambitions for a career with the company. Over time, Josh Spitzen honed his leadership skills and was chosen as C.E.O. of KW’s Beverly Hills offices. Josh now personally oversees and manages close to 1000 agents, and 20 staff members in four Keller Williams offices – culminating in a powerful network of global reach and authentic partnerships.
In addition, Josh volunteers his time to offer his motivational skills in order to help students maximize their potential. He is a big believer in the concept of Grit as outlined by Angela Duckworth in her book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. He believes that the resilience that comes from developing Grit can go a long way towards helping students persevere on their pathways to success. The five core ideas of Grit are Beast, Effort Counts, Gritty Passion, Grow Grit, and Wise Parents. He shared the video linked below, by Brian Johnson, which goes into more detail on these components and helps students learn how to incorporate these elements into their lives:
https://youtu.be/TF4fUK5KQ0o
In addition, like many people, Mr. Spitzen is a big believer in affirmations: daily statements that help you visualize a desired outcome. At the culmination of the STEM Talk, Josh led the school in his series of affirmations:
I prosper wherever I turn because…
- I am in control of my destiny and I choose to succeed.
- I choose love, joy, and freedom.
- I am brave and fearless. I embrace fear and let it propel my growth.
- I deserve to be happy, healthy and wealthy.
- I have many reasons to be grateful.
- I have a growth-mindset.
- I embrace the process.
- I am changing and I am improving every day.
- I achieve my goals.
- I believe in myself and so do others.
- I am decisive.
- I am healthy and fit.
- I take responsibility for creating my life.
- I am intelligent and kind.
- I project an image of power and confidence.
- I ask for help when I need it. Asking for help is a sign of strength.
- None of us is as smart as all of us.
- I help others become successful.
- Together we all accomplish more.
As Josh stated, talent attracts talent and environment matters. Hopefully, his advice can help you create the right environment to realize your talents!
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