BLAST Summer Program Open to Current BRVGS 9th Graders
BRVGS 9th grade students have an opportunity to participate in a free program for the summer of 2015 on the campus of the University of Virginia or Virginia Tech engaged in hands-on STEM activities and demonstrations led by experienced faculty members.
The Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology (BLAST) program is designed to attract students who are motivated to learn in the STEM arena. Students will be involved in a variety of areas such as mechanical engineering, space science, astronomy, chemistry, and more. Some of the activities include:
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Solar car construction
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Robot design/build to complete missions on a Martian landscape
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Design and test insulation materials
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Earthquake Resistance Structures
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Engine Dissection
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Advanced Engineering Lab
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Tours and celestial observations
Interested students and parents may obtain more program information and an online application by going to the BLAST website http://blast.spacegrant.org/ . The deadline for application is February 2, 2015. The program is a partnership between the Virginia Space Grant Consortium, the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Any questions regarding participation may be directed to BRVGS Director Marc Carraway, mcarr1@brvgs.k12.va.us
Travel Back in Time with BRVGS Senior Abby Whitlock
What was it like to journey on the R.M.S. Lusitania across the Atlantic, and walk along the streets of London in 1911? Just ask BRVGS senior Abby Whitlock, who investigated primary sources and created a museum exhibit based on her research.
Over the summer, Abby examined artifacts at the Sargeant Museum of Louisa County History. These included a notebook with letters by a Miss Emma Wood and other documents about the R.M.S. Lusitania and sites around London. The ill-fated Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat in 1915.
Abby’s museum exhibit showcases details from her study. She will deliver a companion presentation about Trans-Atlantic travel on the eve of World War I at the museum on November 22, 10 a.m.- noon.
The early 20th century era, and First World War in general, will be Abby's focus of study in college. She is currently a senior at Louisa County High School.
BRVGS Seniors Support Important Causes Through Community Service
As senior students of Blue Ridge Virtual Governor’s School go into the community service phase of their BRVGS senior projects, many have embarked on fundraising efforts for a wide range of causes.
Caitlin Shilan of Madison County High School will be fundraising for the American Steeplechase Injured Jockeys Fund at the Montpelier Hunt Races on Saturday, Nov 1st. She will host a tent at the races with educational materials, activities, and opportunities to meet jockeys. If you are at the races, please check that out!
In Louisa,Noah Jones and Tyson Smith are combining efforts to put on “Slam N' Jam,” a fundraising event for the Louisa Arts Center. “Slam N' Jam” will combine a basketball tournament and concert, and will take place January 17, 2015 from 4pm-10pm at the Betty Queen Center at 522 Industrial Drive, Louisa, Virginia 23093. The Twitter and Instagram names for the event are @slamnjam_2015 and the Facebook event is titled "Slam N' Jam 2015."
Devon Burger of Fluvanna is working to bring the Wildlife Center of Virginia into Fluvanna elementary schools, and is funding that effort through a “Go Fund Me” site at http://www.gofundme.com/gd2mfc
Please check back here or on our Facebook page for updates on the efforts of our students to support a wide range of important causes!
BRVGS FALL SEMESTER 2014 IN FULL SWING
Fall Semester 2014 is well underway and BRVGS students are immersed in learning activities, including field trips, lectures, university classes, and student projects. BRVGS World History 9th graders are working on “Technology Through the Ages” semester projects. They will research and analyze important inventions in history, write academic papers, and collaborate with student teams in person and online to create group websites. AP Biology students are engaged in their Arabidopsis research projects in partnership with the Fralin Biotechnology Center of Virginia Tech. Students will conduct inquiry-based investigations focused on plant biology. The 11th graders participated in their 1st Semester Kickoff for Computer Science. In this online class, students not only learn computer science programming skills, they also practice the skills of self-pacing, communication and problem solving. Their projects will start later in November. BRVGS 12th grade students met for the kickoff in September, and are now working on their Senior internships, community service and research projects. BRVGS students also participated in the Charlottesville Tech Tour on October 9th. This all-day local event introduced area students to the dynamic high technology world that exists in the Charlottesville/Albemarle County metro region. Students are participating in canoe trips led by Chesapeake Bay Foundation instructors. The BRVGS 10th graders from Greene, Fluvanna, and Madison scheduled trips during the fall, and the remaining schools will set Spring 2015 dates for their trips. BRVGS students are also enrolled in the collaborative BRVGS-UVa Explorations in Engineering 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.