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. “

LS Holiday Sing-Along Assembly Highlights

LS Holiday Sing-Along Assembly Highlights

D-E’s annual Lower School (LS) Holiday Sing-Along 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...

TREP$ Marketplace Kitchen Prep “Sneak Peek”

TREP$ Marketplace Kitchen Prep “Sneak Peek”

Our 6th-grade entrepreneurs are prepped and ready to go for today’s TREP$ Marketplace, from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM! Get a sneak peek of the kitchen prep from students who have food businesses, guided by Chef Alex, Sous Chef Fernando, and the rest of D-E’s food-service...

English Department Spotlight

English Department Spotlight

Mr. Meserole, P’26, ’28, ’30, English Department Chair, shares how teachers in his department “create the conditions for learning.” He, along with other English Department faculty, point to examples of inclusive excellence, self-discovery, and innovation in action in...

Bulldog Bash 2026
Scholastic Art & Writing Award Recipients
Q&A With US Dean Emily Sclafani
Professional Development 2026 Highlights
HOPE Fashion Show 2026 tickets
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

Service-Learning Initiatives Inspire 7th Graders

Seventh Graders recently learned about service learning first-hand from organization founders and high school students who started their own community programs. Students gathered in the 7th Grade Porch to listen to a panel, moderated by Ms. Patel and Ms. Butterman,...

Read More

Lower School Celebrates Community, Earth Day

Sporting their Spirit Day athletic team jerseys and T-shirts, Lower School students entered the gym for this week’s LS Assembly as the iconic song “We Are the World” played in the background. The song, as the fifth-grade presenters described, “is about being kind...

Read More

2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Award Recipients

The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers’ annual Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is an opportunity for creative teens in grades 7-12 to submit their artwork or written work for a chance to receive opportunities for recognition, exhibition, and scholarships....

Read More

Imperatore Library Hosts Spring 2026 Write Night

Happy National Poetry Month! In celebration, the English Department, in partnership with the Dwight-Englewood Writers (DEW) student organization, hosted Spring 2026 Write Night yesterday in The Imperatore Library, with a focus on poetry readings. Specifically,...

Read More

LS Students Find Their Voice During Spring Sing-Along

Singing it loud and proud! The first Lower School (LS) Assembly following the break was a spirited Spring Sing-Along, featuring tunes LS teachers and students have enjoyed so far this year. To kick off the event, the Parents’ Association generously arranged for the...

Read More

Loading...