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

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. “

Eighth Graders Set Their Wheels in Motion for the Great Paper Roller Coaster Expo

Eighth Graders Set Their Wheels in Motion for the Great Paper Roller Coaster Expo

What do dinosaurs, flames, space, Minecraft, and SpongeBob have in common? They are among the themes depicted in this year’s Great Paper Roller Coaster Challenge, which recently took place in the Middle School. The project, facilitated by 8th Grade Science Teacher Hyo Kim and 8th Grade Math & Science Teacher Julia Taazelar, challenges students to design a roller coaster marble run. Parents and some Lower School students had a chance to view the variety of designs as well as test the functionality of each roller coaster, marble in hand. Ms. Taazelar describes this as a capstone project for Grade 8 that puts to use what they’ve learned about the laws of motion and energy transformation. With this project, they’re able to “apply the skills they’ve learned theoretically into something that is practical and hands-on,” she says.
Ms. Kim adds that the project, in its fourth year running, is a way “to wrap up the curriculum on physics… that also teaches students about collaboration, as each person has a specific job.” As students described to their gathered audiences how the marble could represent both stored energy (potential) and energy in motion (kinetic), it was clear that the project met its aim of being both imaginative and educational. It’s another great example of innovation in action at D-E!

US Students Get Dog Therapy Ahead of PAW

US Students Get Dog Therapy Ahead of PAW

In preparation for Projects & Assessments Week (PAW), our Upper School (US) students got some TLC from cute canines Marley, a Golden Retriever; Tashi, a Tibetan Lhasa Apso; and Dakota, a Newfoundland. The therapy dog visit was organized by members of D-E’s student...

US MultiCultural (INSPIRE Club) Assembly Highlights

US MultiCultural (INSPIRE Club) Assembly Highlights

This week the Upper School (US) INSPIRE student organization, focused on identity and culture, hosted a Multicultural Showcase. INSPIRE leaders Asher Cohen ’25, Musashi Shabazz ’25, Maya Jarrett ’25, and Cameron Gennardo ’26 gave opening remarks introducing the eight...

Community Is the Focus of the Middle School’s Diversity Day
PAW 2025 Includes Innovative Ways to Engage US Students in Lessons Learned
HOPE Fashion Show Tickets
D-E 360° String Society
Announcing Our Next Head of School
D-E 360° After Care and Enrichment
Athletics Schedule
Admissions
D-E.org
D-E Today - News and Editorial Content
Loading...