UniVERSOtea Mornings 2024-2025

These sessions take place on Wednesdays, 8:00 am-8:45 am at Connect, Level 2, The HUB

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Learning Labs for Q1

Project Updates!

• The first in-house scrimmage match has concluded. Learners came up with game plans, all using the same base robots (4 built in total), and reflected on what worked and what they could improve on their next iterations.
• We have formed teams that will work together for the remainder of the lab
• We have begun using Scrum, a professional project management methodology to allow learners to own their work and progress on their project. Two learners from each team have been elected to leadership roles to help facilitate this process.

Project Updates

• In the past 2 weeks, the learners engaged in 2-part collaboration with the Faculty of Science at Chulalongkorn University to gain knowledge about microorganisms and hands-on experience with microbiological techniques.
• On 28 August, Asst. Prof. Dr. Cheunjit Prakitchaiwattana visited our campus to give a lecture on microorganisms, hazards, disinfectants, and fundamental microbial analytical methods. Then on 4 September, under the guidance of two professors and several university students, they delved into practical methods for counting bacteria and assessing the effectiveness of various antimicrobial agents.
• The session included three interactive stations:
  
  • Spot-on antimicrobial assay
  • Hand washing and sanitizing efficiency 
  • Total Plate Count

• This immersive experience provided valuable insights into microorganism-antimicrobial interactions and emphasized the importance of proper experimental procedures and safety when handling hazardous materials.
• In addition to the hands-on activities, the learners had the opportunity to interview PhD students from the food technology program, gaining valuable perspectives on their studies and career paths. This combination of direct experimentation and personal interviews enriched the learners' understanding of microbiology's scientific and professional aspects.
• After their workshop, the learners visited the university's Museum of Natural History. This excursion offered a broader context for their studies, allowing them to explore exhibits related to natural history and deepen their understanding of the biological world. 
• The learners also delved into the historical impact of pandemics. They studied the types of bacteria responsible for major diseases and explored the global consequences of these pandemics across various domains, such as social structures, technology, science, and economics.
• As part of their comprehensive learning experience, the learners create short documentaries to showcase their findings. By the end of the week, these documentaries will be presented at our mini-film fest, offering a creative platform for sharing their insights and reflections on the multifaceted impact of pandemics.

Project Updates!

• In the past two weeks, learners started initially ideating and planning for the International Women’s Event by exploring historical significance and incidents of Thai women in the past.

• They analyzed how women were portrayed in the murals and analyzed and collected primary sources and evidence of women. Based on their research, learners created 2D-mural-like artworks depicting Thai-women’s history using visual symbols, patterns, and hierarchy- to clearly show their intended opinion in the past.

• Then they wrote an official artist statement explaining the relationship between their research and artwork, learning to form an effective communication and engagement between the artist and the audience. 
• Before our BTW trip, the learners studied and viewed professional analysis of artworks, especially sculptures - to use during their BTW. Learners visited the Bangkok National Museum and Museum Siam to collect evidence of women in sculptures, learn various ways of displaying artworks, and understand the audience and artwork relationship in real life.
• This experience allowed learners to deepen their understanding of history and art, allowing them to plan more effectively for their event.

Power Hour with Coach Joe & Coach Ji Yoon  

• This quarter's power hour sessions will center around preparing students for the upcoming sports event on 25 September, which features various track and field events, including long jump, shot put, discus, javelin, high jump, and track races for 100m, 200m, and 400m. 
• The sessions will focus on drills and movement exercises to enhance performance, along with stretching routines to prevent injuries. 
• This comprehensive preparation aims to ensure students are physically ready and confident for the event.

UniVERSOlly Well with Greg

Universities coming to town, stopping over at VERSO:

• Our first in-person university visit happened on 5 September. We had a presentation from Kyoto University of Advanced Sciences and they shared their new English-taught programs in bio-environmental sciences, engineering, & business, and economics.
• They highlighted the safety, low tuition, work experiences, and life in Kyoto. Japan offers tuition that remains affordable compared to US/UK/AUS destinations and their government is very interested in bringing international students to their universities.
• Our coursework complimented the start of self-assessments and looking at our unique identities. We wrote an annual letter to our future self which we will open at the end of the year. We engaged with character expiration by taking the VIA Character Survey.
• I encourage you to take the free test and compare your results with your child. Learning how they are changing and developing will support your relationship throughout their teen years. 

Art Labs with Gideon & Ji Yoon

MADLab (G9-10)

Q1 Courses and Topics: 

• Observational drawings
• Landscape artworks
• Self-portraits
• Creative pieces

Goals for the first unit or Quarter: Complete their drawing portfolio with a diverse selection of artworks created using various dry media (pencil, charcoal, pen, & markers).

Updates:

• Over the past two weeks, MADLab learners have delved into various shading techniques and integrated these with proportion techniques to enhance their artistic skills.

• They participated in a photo walk around the Upper Loop, capturing inspiration from their surroundings. They are currently focused on creating their first major project, "Flora of VERSO." This series features pencil renderings of flowers, showcasing their mastery of shading and proportion.

AP Studio (G11-12)

Courses and Topics:

• AP STUDIO ART: Exploring the topics of their choice (Inquiry)

Goals for the first unit or Quarter:

1. Foundational Skills: Students will explore the principles of art and enhance their drawing and 3D skills to establish a strong foundation and technical proficiency.
2. Critique and Feedback: Students will learn how to appropriately critique artwork and provide constructive criticism, fostering a supportive and analytical classroom environment.
3. Written Evidence and Inquiry: Students will focus on writing clear and insightful evidence to support their work and develop a solid inquiry for their portfolios. 
4. This plan will help students build essential skills and prepare them for success in their portfolios.

Important Dates [AP]:

• CollegeBoard AP Classroom sign up: October 2024
• Exam: 9 May 2025

Updates:

• Learners completed their first sustained investigation. 
• Learners specified their interest in AP inquiries and wrote proposals and planning for their one year AP portfolio. They also critiqued each other's first investigations, learning how to give and receive constructive criticism.  
• They began to ideate for their second investigation, where the topic will be texture(3D) and mark-making (2D). Learners are working on their sketchbook for texture and mark-making studies and will apply them in their next final artwork. 

Science Labs with Matt & Joanie

Life Science

• Learners were introduced to the seven characteristics of life: movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth and development, reproduction, excretion, and nutrition. They learned about the importance of each characteristic in defining a living organism.
• Experimenting with Yeast - The class conducted an experiment to test whether yeast is a living organism. They measured the production of carbon dioxide, a byproduct of respiration, as an indicator of yeast's metabolic activity.

Earth Science 

• Learners embarked on a cosmic journey, uncovering the mysteries of lunar phases and unraveling the gravitational forces that shape our solar system.

By Jarret Voytilla