1. Our Community of Learners
  2.  | Think Like a Rocket Scientist!

Think Like a Rocket Scientist!

Jan 25, 2022 | Our Community of Learners

This fall, Head of School Dr. Rodney De Jarnett hosted a special Zoom assembly presentation for Middle and Upper School students with the best-selling author Ozan Varol (Think Like a Rocket Scientist).
All parents/guardians of D-E students were also invited and encouraged to attend.
On the right are excerpts from a letter sent by Dr. De Jarnett to introduce Varol to our community prior to this memorable virtual gathering.

To learn more about Ozan Varol and his book, Think Like a Rocket Scientist, visit www.ozanvarol.com

An Excerpt of a Letter from Head of School Dr. De Jarnett introducing Ozan Varol

An Excerpt of a Letter from Head of School Dr. De Jarnett introducing Ozan Varol

“… always looking for inspiration and new ideas when life and work are especially challenging, I have found Ozan Varol’s book to be one of the best books I have read of late.

So who is this author Ozan Varol? Borrowing from various online resources including his website page (ozanvarol.com/about), he IS (actually) “a rocket scientist, award-winning law professor, and author of non-fiction books. A native of Istanbul, Turkey, Ozan grew up in a family of no English speakers. He moved to the US by himself at 17 to attend Cornell University and major in planetary sciences. While there, he served on the operations team for the 2003 Mars Exploration Rovers project that sent two rovers to Mars. He later became a law professor to influence others to make interplanetary leaps on this planet. Varol has written numerous award-winning articles that are taught in colleges and graduate schools. His work has been featured in domestic and foreign media, including BBC, Time, CNN, Washington Post, Slate, and Foreign Policy.”

It’s worth pointing out too that reviewers and fellow authors of note — including Dan Pink (A Whole New Mind) , Adam Grant (Think Again) and Malcolm Gladwell (The Tipping Point) — all have also raved about Varol’s book. “

Calliope Earns Top CSPA Honors

Calliope Earns Top CSPA Honors

Congrats are in order for the editors and contributors of the Upper School (US) English-language literary-arts magazine, CALLIOPE! Last spring’s issue was named a 2026 Crown Finalist by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA). Being a Finalist means CALLIOPE...

Jazz “Rocks” D-E!

Jazz “Rocks” D-E!

Way to Rock, D-E Jazz Rock!  The Upper School’s annual Jazz Rock Winter Concert was performed earlier today to a packed, enthusiastic audience in Schenck Auditorium.  Scheduled on the final day of classes immediately prior to winter break, this year’s concert held up...

MS Paper RollerCoaster Expo Recap

MS Paper RollerCoaster Expo Recap

The annual 8th Grade Paper Rollercoaster Expo rolled into D-E’s Middle School (MS) Building earlier today! This showcase event was the culmination of students’ hands-on study of (and appreciation for) the laws of physics and Newton’s Laws of Motion. Visiting fellow...

LS Holiday SingAlong Assembly Highlights

LS Holiday SingAlong Assembly Highlights

D-E’s annual Lower School (LS) Holiday SingAlong Assembly yesterday held up to tradition! With festive lights and hundreds of happy smiling families, the LS Gym was transformed into a lively, lovely holiday-esque scene. Students and LS faculty/staff sang seasonal...

TREP$ 2025 Was a Success!

TREP$ 2025 Was a Success!

The TREP$ program, which kicked off in September, culminated in the TREP$ 2025 Marketplace, where our sixth-grade entrepreneurs set up shop in the Wharton Lessin Dining Hall to sell the wares they’d planned, received feedback on, prepped, and learned how to promote....

Handbells & Choral Winter Concert Recap

Handbells & Choral Winter Concert Recap

Bells were ringing and students across divisions were singing in D-Elightful harmony during last night’s Handbells & Chorus Winter Concert, presented by D-E Performing Arts. Hajjar Auditorium was standing room only for a seasonally-inspired program which included...

Blue and Gold Challenge Gift Donation
‘Gratitude Is the Word of the Day’ During the Thanksgiving Assembly
D-E Admissions Final Event
Art & Design Department Spotlight: ‘Meaning-Making’ at D-E
Upper School Service Assembly Highlights
Middle School Overnight Trips Encourage Teamwork, Independence, & Leadership
D-E 360° After Care and Enrichment
Athletics Schedule
Admissions
D-E.org
D-E Today - News and Editorial Content