BRVGS Students to Give Semester Project Presentations

As the fall term nears completion, Blue Ridge Virtual Governor's School students are set to present their semester presentations.

The 11th and 12th graders enrolled in the University of Virginia Engineering Explorations course will deliver presentations at UVA on Tuesday, December 17th.

Computer Science students from Fluvanna, Nelson and Louisa counties will present their projects at Best Western Zion Crossroads on Wednesday, December 18th from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Parents are invited to attend these events. Please direct questions to Director Marc Carraway, carr1@brvgs.k12.va.us or Administative Assistant Terry Levinson, tlevinson@brvgs.k12.va.us. 

BRVGS World History Teacher Travels to China

Teacher Brett Derrico at The Great Wall on his visit to China 

 For teacher Brett Derrico, a recent visit to China provided a chance to travel, pursue a goal, and expand the knowledge base he brings into his classroom.  “I have long desired to travel the many historical sites that I teach my students every day. When I traveled to Teotihuacan in Mexico a few summers ago, I noticed how much it added to my instruction the next time I taught it in school.  Since then, a door has opened for me to fulfill this desire and I intend on taking advantage of the opportunity, both for me and my students”.

The “door” Derrico references is the one offered in his role as a travel tour leader for students through Education First (EF), an international education organization providing tours, high school cultural exchanges, language schools and an MBA program. EF provides tour leaders with training in either Rome, Paris, Madrid, Berlin, or Beijing.  Derrico was among approximately 40 other teachers for the November 7-12 Beijing training. They received formal training from consultants and other seasoned teacher tour leaders, and on the actual tour they sampled bussing, grouping, tipping, and other factors they will encounter on the tours they will lead in the future.

Derrico’s tour included visits to Beijing’s major historical sites, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, and the Great Wall of China.  He also experienced many cultural activities such as a Kung Fu Show, Peking duck dinner, a tea house, dining and entertainment.  

“The experience was great,” said Derrico, reflecting on his trip. “Not only did it address the many questions I had concerning my individual tour, but I also learned so much about China's culture, both past and present, that I did not know about”. He added that he loves to learn about other countries and cultures.  “Just the thought of visiting other places to see the famous historical sites, eat different food, and interact with the people is most exciting for me."

And how does this experience impact Derrico’s students? “Visiting these sites and immersing myself in other cultures stirs up a passion in me that comes through in my teaching.  Not only do I return with a lot of educational and cultural information, but the excitement with which I teach is infectious”.

Derrico is the World History teacher for BRVGS ninth graders at Goochland High School.

Seniors Get "Ideas Worth Sharing" at TEDxCharlottesville

Photo by Andrew Shurtleff, The Daily Progress

A group of BRVGS students experienced insightful speakers and dynamic performances at TEDxCharlottesville on Friday, November 15, at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville. Seniors Kauri Dynes from Orange County High School, Taylor Smith and Caleb Snyder from Louisa County High School, and Cooper Brett and Virginia Ann Pearson from William Monroe High School spent the day in an environment of new ideas, discussions, and inspiration. "I've been watching TedTalks for a long time so I couldn't pass up a chance to see some live," said Taylor Smith.

Apparently it was an event to remember for many in attendance. “It was a day of food for thought,” remarked Kauri Dynes, “one that I wish more of my friends went to because I find myself making references to it for which they do not know the context.”

TED started out in 1984 as a conference bringing together people from three areas: Technology, Entertainment, and Design. TED’s scope has broadened, including worldwide TEDx events held at the local level. TEDx format incorporates short talks, demonstrations and performances on a wide range of subjects “to foster learning, inspiration and wonder -- and to provoke conversations that matter.”

Speakers included: UVA student Hawa Ahmed, born a refugee in Chad; Zoe Romano, the first person to run the Tour de France; Professor Ed Freeman, a leader in stakeholder business management and ethics; Dr. Ralph Cohen of the American Shakespeare Theater; Vusi Mahlasela, honored South African singer-songwriter-activist; and Dawn Averitt, who serves on the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. Attendees heard 19 speakers and musical performances.

“My favorite speaker was John Hunter,” said Kauri. ”Mr. Hunter's talk was authentic and personal, and education is an area close to my heart. His talk struck me as one of the best of the day.” Hunter, of the World Peace Foundation and former Albemarle County educator, is a musician, filmmaker, and designer of The World Peace Game, a hands-on political simulation.

BRVGS director Marc Carraway emailed Governor’s School students to let them know about the program and ticket information, which was the initial introduction to the the event for some students. The event provided new information, idea seeds, and idea sharing among participants, speakers, and event personnel. Kauri said she had the opportunity to eat with three of the speech coaches for the event and discuss her governor's school project on public speaking with them. Taylor added that the program "inspired me to go out and do new things and learn more."

Students who were unable to attend the event this year can view TEDxCharlottesville Talks at http://www.youtube.com/tedxcharlottesville.

WMHS Students Attend Women in Engineering Weekend

WMHS seniors Kaila Stevens (left) and Courtney Sigloh (right)

Two days on a university campus with tours, lectures, ice cream social, scavenger hunt, design/build team challenge, and an all-male a capella group serenade; not a bad way to spend a weekend for two high school senior women! BRVGS students Courtney Sigloh and Kaila Stevens jumped into these activities November 9th and 10th at the University of Virginia in order to explore their futures in the field of engineering.

The experience was sponsored by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) at UVA as part of their commitment to increase the representation of women in engineering. The group hosts female junior and senior high school students for a weekend on Grounds exploring majors and careers in engineering. The program includes informative speakers and hands-on activities to heighten interest in technology-related fields, opportunities to meet professors and students, and introductions to the nine engineering disciplines studied at UVA. Participants are housed in University dorms.

Courtney and Kaila, 12th graders at William Monroe High School in Greene County, found out about the program through information sent by BRVGS director Marc Carraway. Their interest was peaked. “I wanted to learn more specifics about the School of Engineering at UVA and it’s differences with other engineering schools,” Kaila said. Courtney agreed and added that she also wanted to engage with other high school females that shared her interest in math and science.One hovercraft design/build challenge product

One of the highlights of the weekend was the design/build challenge. Participants were split into teams and charged with creating a working hovercraft using unconventional items such as styrofoam plates/bowls, circuits, and motors. According to Courtney, “Our hovercraft ended up working...kinda.”

Many ideas and encounters impacted the two high school seniors during the SWE program. “When talking to the student and teacher panel, each made an emphasis of studying what you love. It was apparent in talking to them that each were so passionate about what they studied and researched, “ Kaila said.  Courtney learned a lot about “how you can mix and match different engineering fields to create a major that really reflects your interests and career aspirations.”

 Congratulations to these two young women for making the effort to learn more about their opportunities for the future!

STUDENTS HIT THE RIVERS, TECH TOUR TRAIL, AND UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA RESEARCH LIBRARY

Blue Ridge Virtual Governor’s School is teeming with activity mid-semester, and blends it’s virtual aspects with hands-on experiences as students engage in a variety of field trips across grade levels. Freshmen recently learned about and utilized many resources for research available to them at the university level. On October 15th and 18th, they visited the University of Virginia campus to do research on their first-semester World History projects in Clemons Library.

BRVGS Juniors spent October 24th on the Charlottesville Tech Tour, a local event to introduce area students to the dynamic high technology world that exists in the Charlottesville/Albemarle County metro region. Sponsored by the Charlottesville Business Innovation Council, this day-long technology tour is aimed at exposing students to the challenging and diverse career possibilities offered by the regional technology community. Students traveled to selected companies for a hands-on visit to meet employees and experience the use of technology in unique and specialized operations.

BRVGS Advanced Placement Biology students are paddling area rivers to experience their connection to the Chesapeake Bay. They discover the relationships between land-use practices and Bay tributaries, learn about human impact on water quality and plant/animal life, and view themselves as part of the solution to Bay problems. Staff members of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation guide students in observations, collection and analysis of data on the rivers, and synthesis of information gained during field trips. Fall trips were scheduled for Madison on October 25th, Greene on October 28th, and Fluvanna on October 29th. Spring trips are planned for those counties not listed.