BRVGS Calendar Teems with 2nd Semester Activities

As the new year gets underway, 2014 is full of experiences for BRVGS students, including field trips, lectures, university classes, course kick-offs, and student presentations and projects.

BRVGS World History 9th graders will will be working on their “Ethics in History” semester projects, and will also attend a lecture on Machiavelli at the University of Virginia by Professor George Klosko on February 27th (please note that this date has changed from Feb. 20th).

AP Biology students will participate in the Bioethics Project Kickoff at Best Western, Zion Crossroads on February 6th. These 10th graders from Goochland, Louisa, Nelson, and Orange will hit the water in canoes during March and May on field trips led by Chesapeake Bay Foundation instructors.

A kickoff for Computer Science students in the 11th grade will be held January 31st at the Taylor Education Administration Complex in Orange, and 12th graders will be giving Senior Presentations at their schools throughout the semester.

Eleven students are enrolled in the collaborative BRVGS-UVa Digital Technology and Communication course this term.

As dates for other events are set, they will be announced on the BRVGS Homepage and Calendar, so check back for updates as the semester progresses.

World History Website Contest

BRVGS 9th grade World History students have recently completed their first semester website projects, in which teams of researchers from different schools feature the most important technological developments from different historical periods and regions of the world.  These sites are now available for the public to review and rate over the holidays.  Visitors can find a link to the sites at: https://sites.google.com/a/brvgs.k12.va.us/wh-first-semester-project/group-site-links

Visitors to the sites are invited to rate them for appearance, content and overall quality.  The sites are grouped into two groups: 1 set of websites is from Fluvanna, Goochland, Greene and Nelson (FGLN), and Orange, Greene and Madison (OGM).

The review forms for the two groups can be reached by clicking on the links below:

FGLN Website Review Form

OGM Website Review Form

Reviewers can only vote once for FGLN sites and once for OGM sites.  Thanks to all who participate - your feedback is an important part of the learning process for our students! 

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.