Congratulations to our Mathletes from Ms. Elger

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First of all, I want to say what an honor it is to work with a community of such incredible individuals.  I am humbled by all the gifts and talents our school's mathletes possess.  Of the six that competed today, not only are they strong in and passionate about math, they are swimmers, runners, soccer and basketball players, artists, programmers, coders, volunteers...the list goes on and on.  In my four years on this island, I've grown to understand, we just have good kids at our school.  So, thank you, mathletes, for being downright good kids.  Thank you parents for raising these young ones and for supporting the efforts of the PGIA.

Secondly, I want to congratulate all of our mathletes who competed and attended today's competition.  Our team, consisting of Anna Lola Williams, Carter Maltby, Kira Mitchell, and Captain Skyler Anspacher, placed second.  Skyler Anspacher placed third individually and fourth in the Countdown Round.  BRAVO, Skyler!  This means he qualifies to compete at the state level and could have the potential to compete at the national level; however, he will be in Madrid putting the "I" in International Academy.  So, they had to call up the person in 11th place...who just happens to be our own Carter Maltby.  Carter will be competing at the State MathCounts Competition on St. Croix on March 30 (right after representing the USVI National Swimming Team!).  Again, nice work, y'all.

Thirdly, I want to challenge each of us to have a growth mindset.  This is my fourth year coaching the PGIA MathCounts team, and each year, I look for ways to improve.  I would appreciate feedback from mathletes and parents on how we can strengthen our program.  We can and will do better!  I so relish in our successes, but I always see opportunities for improvement.  Please share your thoughts with me when you have a chance.

Thanks again, everyone, and GO MATH!

Take care,

Mrs. Elger

Spotlight: Anushka Spelling Bee

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CONGRATULATIONS TO ANUSHKA CHANDIRAMANI! 

Anushka competed against 17 other school champions in the St. Thomas/St. John District Spelling Bee on Friday, February 12. She was poised and very well prepared. Anushka won second place, and qualified to compete in the Territory Spelling Bee in March! Her coach, Melissa Bump shared, “Anushka is a very studious young lady, and her hard work really paid off today. I’m so proud of her!”

Interdisciplinary Science: The Grade 11 IBDP Group 4 Projects

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Last week was a busy time for all of the hard working students in the PGIA. While grade 7-10 were engaged in the Iowa Tests of Educational Development and the grade 12 students were finishing their IBDP Mock Exams, the grade 11 students were completing their "Group 4 Projects", an integral part of the IB Diploma Program.

“The group 4 project is a collaborative activity where students from different group 4 subjects work together on a scientific or technological topic, allowing for concepts and perceptions from across the disciplines to be shared. Its aim is to develop an understanding of the relationships between scientific disciplines, their influence on other areas of knowledge and to appreciate the environmental, social and ethical implications of science and technology.”
— - International Baccalaureate Organization
“This year’s Group 4 project took the form of an interdisciplinary, collaborative investigation into epidemics. Through research and presentations, students demonstrated how biology, physics, chemistry, and environmental systems and societies are required for a full understanding of infectious diseases, including those afflicting both human and animal populations. The final presentations covered viral hemorrhagic fevers (i.e. ebola and dengue fever), HIV/AIDS, polio, and colony collapse disorder. ”
— Ms. Silva IBDP Biology Instructor
“I knew before that Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies were connected but it amazed me nonetheless. It just further showed me that science is related to many, if not all, aspects of life and it is so crucially important that we understand it because it so important to the way in which we live our lives. The value of the project was much larger than I expected. Collaborating with others and then learning more about the topics presented definitely solidified my decision to minor in a field related to the sciences while in college.”
— Leah, Grade 11
“Through completing the G4 project I began to better understand that each of the G4 subjects are like puzzle pieces, interconnected to look at through what are similar yet different perspectives to better understand and formulate a whole picture. Physics, Chemistry and Biology are subjects all used to investigate science-related topics in great detail through experiments and calculated data and ES&S interconnects these findings to look at their implications on the environmental systems within a society. Though execution of this project results in an array of learning opportunities, most importantly it further reinforced lessons of the importance of accountability, developing communication skills, remaining open-minded and having the ability to self motivate and independently execute a project.”
— Kayla, Grade 11

Day 2 for PGIA Students at The Weizmann Institute of Science

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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.

Students at the Weizmann Institute in Israel Experiencing Science Firsthand: Day 1

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Six PGIA students are at the Weizmann Institute this week further igniting their passions for science.  "Each student seems to be passionate about a different area of science.  This is amazing to watch and will be life-altering for these students.  We are seeing science right now that will change the world," from Head of School Michael Bornn, who is chaperoning the trip.

The Weizmann Institute of Science is one of the world’s leading multidisciplinary basic research institutions in the natural and exact sciences. It is located in Rehovot, Israel, just south of Tel Aviv.  The Institute has a long history of investigation and discovery rooted in a mission of advancing science for the benefit of humanity. 

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

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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!  

PGIA Students Heading to Madrid for 6 Weeks

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The final tally is in and 10 PGIA students will be spending six weeks in Madrid for our first international exchange program.  PGIA students Marissa Bornn and Caleb Potter are highlighted on the front page of the St. Thomas source this morning after being interviewed about this exciting opportunity.  Please see the article.  Thanks to the St. Thomas source for your recognition of this international and academic accomplishment!

Behind the Curtain of College Admissions

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On Thursday, October 22, the PGIA College Counseling Department of Chris Teare and Elizabeth Elger held an informative and engaging evening giving parents and students a view behind the curtain of college admissions.  Attendees were split into five different sub-admission committees for a fictional university.  Everyone read four students' applications and were tasked with admitting two, wait-listing one, and denying one.  A lively and spirited discussion ensued about the true tenants of a solid college application and how one determines the "best fit" for an institution.  Interestingly enough, the student with the highest standardized test scores and highest grade point average wasn't among the ones accepted!  Chris and Elizabeth would like to thank all of the attendees, and they look forward to another mock admission session in the spring!  Any and all questions about college counseling, please direct to Elizabeth Elger at eelger@vimsia.org.

 

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PGIA Reef Bay Field Trip

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Juniors and Seniors were sponsored for a scientific field trip to Reef Bay by Friends of Virgin Islands National Park.  National Park Ranger and great friend of the school, Laurel Brannick was their guide for the day.  Juniors and Biology Teacher Ms. Silva did a clean-up as a part of UVI's Coastweeks Cleanup.  Ms. Zakers and her 12th grade Environmental Systems and Societies class did individual directed research in areas including biodiversity, soil toxicity and endangered species.  Thanks to UVI, Friends of the National Park and Ranger Brannick.  This was a great experience for our students.

ESS Students & Ms. Zakers Visit St. Thomas Cemetery

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These pictures are of the grade 12 Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) students taking data in the downtown St. Thomas cemetery today. We are studying birth dates versus death dates and life expectancy in the Virgin Islands during various time periods.

What do you think would affect changes in the VI demographics?

Very interesting!

DP Dancers Exceed World Average Assessment Scores

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The "DP Dancers" are PGIA Diploma Program students that have chosen to take High Level Dance as one of their three high level options for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. 

Every year, DP students around the world are assessed both internally and by external international examiners. Student results are determined by performance against set standards, such that student results truly reflect their abilities relative to their peers globally, not just at their school.

For DP Dance, the students are assessed on performances, dance investigations and choreographies.  For the second year in a row, under the direction of Ms. Helen Sidiropoulos, these students have exceeded the world average!  

So, here on our tiny little island in the Caribbean Sea, our students' achievements are exceeding those of their peers in places like the U.K., Switzerland and Japan.

Kudos to Ms. Helen and the DP Dancers!