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. “

Reflections from Preeti Fibiger P ’24

Reflections from Preeti Fibiger P ’24

Dear D-E Families and Friends, I’m writing during these last few weeks in my role serving as Interim Head of School, which ends on June 30. This latest issue of D-E Today comes to you while our campus is markedly serene after a busy, happily buzzing series of...

Give to the Annual Fund Before the Fiscal Year Closes

Give to the Annual Fund Before the Fiscal Year Closes

Now that our 2024-2025 school year is in the books, we want to thank all of our incredible alumni for their continued connection and support! We’re especially excited to welcome the Class of 2025 into the alumni community, to celebrate the arrival of our incoming Head...

8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony Highlights

8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony Highlights

On the evening of Friday, June 6, D-E eighth graders, dressed in summer white, gathered under a tent on Leggett Field for the Eighth Grade Moving Up Ceremony. Middle School (MS) Principal Jonathan Davis opened with farewell remarks in his signature jocular style. He...

Ms. Diaz Returns to NYC Gallery Circuit for Exhibit Spotlighting Women Artists
D-E Summer 2026 Programs
Math & Computer Science Spotlight: Valuing Process, Problem Solving
‘CARRIE’ and ‘A Monster Calls’ Receive Foxy Award Nominations
Scholastic Art & Writing Award Recipients
Q&A With US Dean Emily Sclafani
Professional Development 2026 Highlights
8th Grade Peru Trip 2026 Highlights
Philosophy & Ethics Spotlight: Tapping Into Our Shared Humanity
A Conversation with Petra van’t Slot on Empowering Students With Data
Spring Is in the Air With D-E 360° ACE Programming!
7th Grade ‘Anatomy of a Human’ Exhibit Highlights
D-E 360° After Care and Enrichment
Athletics Schedule
Admissions
D-E.org
D-E Today - News and Editorial Content

New Jersey National History Day Contest Highlights

Way to go! Eleven of our 8th Graders participated in the New Jersey History Day Contest, which took place at William Paterson University. This series challenges students to become experts on a topic of their choice, individually or in a group. Students take...

Read More

MODE Hosts Library Jam Session

Student leaders of Musicians of D-E (MODE) hosted an after-school jam session in The Imperatore Library this week, just as Seniors reached their last official day of classes. Mackenzie Hammer ’28 kicked off the live performances, playing the ukulele as she sang...

Read More

All-School Choral & Drumming Concert is Tuesday, May 19!

Get ready for the All-School Choral & Drumming Concert! Our Lower, Middle and Upper School choral ensembles will D-Elight audiences when they perform next Tuesday, May 19, at 7 PM in Schenck Auditorium. With enthusiasm and guidance from our Performing Arts...

Read More

Phone Free Fridays Encourage Real-Life Connections

D-E’s Digital Wellness Team, led by Madigan Kacmar ’26, Anna Ibargüen ’26, and Ezra Newman ’26, recently brought back “Phone Free Fridays,” an initiative that began last year to encourage students to disconnect from their phones during the school day. Students who...

Read More

Registration Opens for D-E Summer 2026 Programs

Summer is nearly here! D-E Summer 2026 programs kickstart the summer season for our youngest learners before camp begins; teach core life skills (driving); and offer exciting opportunities in athletics (basketball and volleyball), computer programming, and...

Read More

Celebrating Jewish Heritage Month

D-E recently hosted assemblies honoring Jewish Heritage Month across divisions. In the Lower School (LS), fifth-grade presenters revealed facts about the Jewish population around the world, and then students who identify as Jewish took turns sharing their own...

Read More

Last Chance to Get Your Tickets to ‘Beetlejuice JR.’!

It’s almost Showtime! Don’t miss the D-E Middle School (MS) Spring Musical, “Beetlejuice JR.,” opening tomorrow night in Schenck Auditorium! “While ‘Beetlejuice’ is undoubtedly ‘a show about death,’ it is mostly a show that celebrates life,” said Director and MS...

Read More

Loading...