Contemporary Science and Technology II: "Real Life Doesn't Come with a Kit"

New Roots science and mathematics teacher Mary Gooding has brought the vision of an integrated, hands-on curriculum to life for our Senior Year program, teaching Contemporary Science and Technology II (CST II) and Statistics to our seniors.  Her focus on real-world application is at the heart of her work.  This month, students in her CST II class have been applying physics concepts to understanding how to create sustainable energy sources. 

Mary graciously wrote this description of the project for me, in the middle of her busy teaching life:

Leading up to our construction of the model wind turbines in Contemporary Science and Technology II, I lead students in building small motors and converting their motors into generators. There are multiple goals and learning targets in this project. For one, we begin with all raw materials. Real life does not come with a "kit" so neither do we. Through this process students learn how to cut and strip wire leads, and they must be resourceful to build the motors from basic materials. 

Another learning target is for students to see that the generator is effectively running a motor backward. My course is focused on energy systems, and through this construction project, students can physically see how the motor converts electricity to mechanical energy and the generator converts mechanical energy into electricity. 

Later on, when we construct the wind turbines, I will give students small (1.5-3 VDC) motors. Students will use these running as generators to convert the mechanical energy input from the wind moving the blades of the turbine into electricity we can use. Looking onward, we will evaluate both renewable and nonrenewable energy systems in the Ithaca area as well as student-chosen areas. 

I truly enjoyed developing and launching these activities here at New Roots last year, and I am excited to introduce them to this year's senior class this Spring!

 By the way, this is the same Mary Gooding you heard about in my last blog post – she’s also coach and choreographer of our New Roots dance troupe in her spare time!!  Mary is a woman of many talents, and she brings them all to our school with heart and soul.  On behalf of the many students whose lives she touches, I am grateful.

New Roots Dance Troupe Rocks Syracuse!

Last Friday, the New Roots Dance Troupe traveled to Syracuse to perform pre-game and halftime shows in the beautiful marble War Memorial Lobby at the Syracuse Crunch hockey game.   What an electrifying experience to watch them dance! 

Opening to Lady Gaga’s “Applause,” our dancers were costumed in black with striking white masks and white gloves.  They danced their final number in red and black, stretching out their hands to the audience to pull them onto the dance floor.  And in the middle of the set, we were treated to solo and duet performances by Nikiah Hakes, Lynsey Haner, Janaishia Frost, and Daymone Meeks.

Choreographed and directed by science and mathematics teacher Mary Gooding, Cornell University alumna and competitive ballroom dancer, this talented and hard-working group of young people has been dancing together just over one school year --  but you wouldn’t know it watching them perform! After seeing them fine-tune their moves together over weeks of afterschool practice in the lobby, it was inspiring to experience the energy, flow, and excitement of their performance in Syracuse. 

Locally, the New Roots Dance Troupe performed for an enthusiastic crowd at the Black History Month Talent Show in February, and they will be on stage on Friday, May 30 at the Ithaca Festival.  Watch for more about our talented young dancers in upcoming blog posts.

Cayuga Nation Elder Visits New Roots

Last week New Roots Charter School was honored by the presence of Dan Hill, Cayuga Nation elder and a founder of the SHARE Farm.  My very first guest blogger, IC intern Shannon Lipe, tells the story!

Cayuga Nation Elder Visits New Roots

written by Ithaca College Media Intern Shannon Lipe

On Thursday March 6^th, New Roots Charter School welcomed Dan Hill of the Cayuga Nation. Mr. Hill helped start and develop the SHARE Farm and is working to develop the Cayuga Nation Cultural Center in Aurora, New York. During his visit, Mr. Hill spoke to a 11^th grade students in a Learning Expedition class about the Haudenosaunee people and the Cayuga creation myth. One of the highlights of the morning came when he explained his involvement in helping to prove that the Haudenosaunee Confederacy was formed long before the 1400’s as is currently believed by many. The visit was full of enlightening information and both students and faculty gained a lot of knowledge and a much higher appreciation for the Cayuga Nation through the visit.

Mr. Hill was welcomed to New Roots by students with a banner with the Cayuga greeting "Sgeno," meaning "Peace."   

Amanda Vorrasi's Internship with Honorable Judge Miller -- and Vision of Right Livelihood

It is an amazing experience to see a young person come into his or her own over four years, before your very eyes.  For me, it is even more meaningful to see how our unique high school environment has been a catalyst for a young person’s personal development, dreams, and plan of action.

I remember Amanda Vorrasi when she was just beginning her high school career at New Roots.  Compact and quiet, Amanda impressed me as someone who navigated challenges life presented gracefully while staying the course with her education.  Little did I know that this young woman was developing a powerful vision for her life and our community with the potential to impact the lives of many people in our region!

Now she’s stepping out into the world. Amanda began a law internship with the Honorable Judge Scott Miller of Ithaca in mid-January.  Her internship involves reviewing legal documents with the judge, helping the judge prepare for trials, observing trials, and completing various law-related assignments from the judge.

Just recently Amanda got good news:  she has been accepted to Sage College in Albany, her #1 choice, with a $5,000.00 scholarship . . . and Canisius College with an $11,000.00 scholarship!!  Amanda reports that she will be a law and society major, which at Sage includes courses in prelaw, sociology, and criminal justice.

In her college essay, Amanda speaks to her life goals.  Motivated by seeing the impacts of the criminal justice system on peoples’ lives, her vision is to “create a rehabilitation program which not only helps the prisoners prepare to reintegrate into society, but also helps them to get more in touch with themselves.”

What a powerful vision, one that cuts to the heart of “rehabilitation” as a healing of the self and finding authentic purpose, not simply training or reforming behavior.  In her college essay, Amanda describes her life’s work:  “I want to work with and help them find themselves and what they really want out of this world. To help them find purpose, and achieve their goals so that they earn a minimalistic percent chance of recidivism. I want to achieve my goals by helping them achieve theirs.” 

In an interview with me, Amanda described her thinking further.  Amanda feels that once someone does something wrong and enters the criminal justice system, they are labeled and judged when they get out. Told to go out and get a job, they face discrimination due to their record.  Amanda says that she “feels like these people need a more in-depth understanding of themselves before they go into the real world and rehabilitate themselves properly – they need to understand why they did what they did, how they feel about it now, and if it seemed right at the time, why?”  She feels that there needs to be more mindful rehabilitation programs so that former prisoners “have a more in-depth experienced that positively effects them, and so everyone can see the change, and they know where they want to be when they get out.”

Amanda’s vision resonates with our philosophy and practice at New Roots of honoring and developing each person’s unique potential.  It is really powerful for me to see how the seeds planted here, in the course of Amanda’s tenure at the school, have the potential to create ripple effects for so many in the future, while inspiring a meaningful right livelihood for this quietly brilliant and compassionate young woman.

Congratulations, Amanda, and best of wishes as you prepare to pursue your dream to create a more just and sustainable future for us all!