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Advanced Math/Science Research Update
by Dr. April Burch, Director of the AMSR program
January 15, 2013
Since our last update, Berkshire School hosted student researchers from Belmont Hill,  and all-boys prep school outside of Boston, for a 1-day mini-symposium on Student Biomedical Research. The goal was to foster collaboration, communication and community outreach with our students. AMSR students Liza Bernstein '13, Sissi Wang '13, Lars Robinson '13, Elsie Guevara '13, Ernest Yue '13, and Nate MacKenzie '14, gave short talks about their work in the new Bellas/Dixon Math and Science lecture hall. The talks were followed up by break-out sessions where Belmont Hill students described their research projects and students discussed commonalities between the projects and future goals.
The second semester of AMSR started with some terrific news. The AMSR program was awarded a grant from The Chinchester Dupont Foundation for the purchase of an EVOS fluorescence microscope. This piece of equipment will expand the types of experiments and analyses that can be done by AMSR students this and future years. The microscope should arrive shortly, and Dr. Burch has invited everyone to stop in for a look next time they are on campus.
One new, exciting project that is underway in the winter season of AMSR in the afternoons is being spearheaded by Elif Kesaf '14. Elif is from Turkey and seeks to identify novel viruses of non-pathogenic strains of Legionella bacterium from travertines in Pamukkale. In collaboration with Dr. Sunny Shin at the Perlman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, she will be working to isolate viruses of this bacterium with the hope of identifying new agents to combat Legionnaires' disease caused by a pathogenic form of Legionella.
Look for more news from Dr. Burch in the next issue!
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Posted Tuesday, Oct 16, 2012
Social entrepreneur Alvaro Rodriguez Arregui '85 returns to Berkshire on Thursday to talk about work in Latin American venture capitalism that "serves the base of the pyramid" and visit with economics classes. Forbes Magazine has listed him on their Impact 30 list of the world's top 30 social entrepreneurs.
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Posted Monday, Oct 15, 2012
Though Pro Vita 2013 is still four months away, excitement is already building. Four off-campus trips were announced recently, complementing more than 80 seminar-style classes offered on-campus during this special week, Feb. 25-Mar. 2, 2013. Click here to learn more about these trips.
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Posted Monday, Oct 15, 2012
The Fall Concert is this Friday at 8 PM in Allen Theater and will feature performances by the Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Chamber Music Ensemble, Digital Music class, Dance program, Greensleeves and Ursa Minor.
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Posted Wednesday, Oct 10, 2012
The Bellas/Dixon Math and Science Center, named in honor of longtime math teacher Rick Bellas and teacher and former trustee Tom Dixon, was dedicated recently. Renowned Yale lecturer and author Carl Zimmer addressed the community before the ribbon-cutting ceremony that followed.
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Posted Wednesday, Oct 3, 2012
Sophomores in Mr. Nielsen's Modern World History classes used VoiceThread to share their research into important issues in the upcoming election: job creation, health care, environmental issues, national security, and same-sex marriage. Click here to listen.
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Posted Friday, Sep 28, 2012
This Sunday, College Counseling Director Pieter Mulder will offer sage advice about crafting the perfect college essay. This presentation is the first of many planned programs hosted by the Center for Writing and Critical Thinking (CWCT).
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Posted Monday, Sep 24, 2012
Six members of Berkshire's Quiz Bowl team competed in a top-ranked academic tournament at MIT on Saturday, tying for second in the Noether division out of a overall field of 28 teams. Students fought through nine rounds of as many as 80 questions each. Click here to learn more.
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Posted Friday, Sep 21, 2012
The Center for Writing and Critical Thinking has expanded its hours, trained a new slate of student mentors, and moved its base of operation into Berkshire Hall. With English, History and Science teachers available to help, and a new seminar series launched, CWCT continues to be an important academic resource.
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Posted Thursday, Sep 20, 2012
Advanced Math/Science Research Director Dr. April Burch will mentor several students in their research of bacteriophages (phages) this year, sharing her fascination with viruses of bacteria. A summer workshop at the University of Pittsburgh provided an opportunity to isolate her own phages. Click here to learn more.
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Posted Thursday, Sep 20, 2012
Unyime Udoh '13 focused a love of architecture on an intensive study of Le Corbusier in the Advanced Humanities Research class. She has found the study of his prolific canon and complex personality a fascinating intellectual pursuit, and has debunked her preconceived notions of research in the process.
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Posted Tuesday, Sep 18, 2012
Clay Splawn, Dean of Academics, spoke to students on Saturday about setting the foundation for a strong and powerful community of learners. Likening academic honesty to a parachute-packing course, he urged them not cut corners or risk a hard landing. Listen to the speech here.
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Posted Tuesday, Sep 11, 2012
The Advanced Math/Science Research program welcomes Dr. Valerie Bolivar to campus this Friday to share her work with mouse models of Autism. The lecture is the first in the new monthly AMSR Seminar Series. The event is open to the public.
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Posted Friday, Sep 7, 2012
Nearly forty faculty members took advantage of professional development opportunities this summer. Click here to learn more about what they spent their time doing.
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Posted Wednesday, Sep 5, 2012
On Wednesday, classes resumed for the 2012-13 school year. Everyone was particularly excited to get into the new Math and Science Center. Click here to view a slideshow from the day.
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Posted Monday, Sep 3, 2012
The new Math and Science Center, a 48,000-square-foot building that increases curricular space by 129%, is both smart and sustainable. By incorporating state-of-the-art design, the building is predicted to reduce energy consumption by 58.7% compared to standard buildings.
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Posted Monday, Sep 3, 2012
Gwyneth Connell joins the Berkshire community as the new Dean of Faculty. She brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to her new role. Click here to learn more about her and her vision for the position.
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Posted Tuesday, Jul 24, 2012
The campus can feel quiet during the summer without students, but not this year; major campus improvements and additions are underway, and nearly all will be complete by the time the fall semester begins. Click here to learn more.
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Posted Tuesday, Jul 10, 2012
Faculty continue to be an industrious lot during the summer, churning through an impressive and diverse slate of books. Curious about what they are reading? Click here to view more.
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Posted Friday, Jul 6, 2012
Dr. April Burch joined the Berkshire faculty in May and takes the reins of the Advanced Math/Science Research program. Click here to learn more about her varied interests and her aspirations for the program.
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Posted Monday, Jun 25, 2012
Eight lucky students recently returned from a week in Dublin and the surrounding countryside, exploring the cultural, spiritual and literary history of Ireland through the lens of literary great James Joyce. Click here to read their trip blog.
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Posted Monday, Jun 11, 2012
The Advanced Math Science Research program, now in its fifth year, continues to earn accolades in support of authentic research, including two INTEL Science semifinalist honors. Learn more about the program's accomplishments and future plans.
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Posted Monday, May 28, 2012
Chinese III students put their studies to good use recently at a local Chinese restaurant. From ordering the meal to conversing with the waitstaff, the opportunity to put their skills to the test was pleasing to both the palate and mind.
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Posted Saturday, May 26, 2012
Despite some soggy conditions, spirits were bright as the 113 members of the Class of 2012 marched into the Jackman L. Stewart Center on Friday to receive their diplomas. Click here to read the list of Prize Night and Commencement Award winners.
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Posted Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Nineteen students presented their Independent Study work recently in the atrium of Berkshire Hall. Projects were far-ranging, from advanced astro-imaging to fashion design and advanced music theory.
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Posted Wednesday, May 23, 2012
The Spring 2012 issue of The eDome, Berkshire's online student art and literary magazine, is now published. Click here to view.
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Posted Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Latin IV students chose a scene from Vergil's Aeneid, then selected six illustrations of that scene from different periods to study. They presented research about the artists and styles in papers and PowerPoint presentations. Click here to read one student's work.
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Posted Friday, May 18, 2012
Juniors recently presented their Individualized Interdisciplinary Investigation (I-Cubed) projects, the culmination of the Fifth Form English curriculum.
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Posted Thursday, May 17, 2012
Pianist Catherine Xu '14 and soprano Liz Butler '13 both recently competed in musical competitions. Catherine recently played at a winner's recital at Carnegie Hall and Liz was awarded a scholarship as one of of five finalists.
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Posted Monday, May 14, 2012
English III students put a modern twist on Homer's epic when they acted and produced short videos about Books 9-12. The films were screened recently. Click here to view.
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Posted Thursday, Apr 26, 2012
Advanced Geometry students traveled to Mass MoCA to see the Sol LeWitt exhibit, 105 of his large-scale wall drawings that span from 1969-2007. Inspired by the bold, beautiful designs, students will now create their own artwork on campus.
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