Upcoming Important Dates!
December 23 – January 3: Winter Break
NHREC/GSST Schools & Offices Closed-
January 6: GSST Classes Resume
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January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
NHREC/GSST - No Students -
January 27 & 28: Regional Professional Development Days
NHREC/GSST - No Students -
January 29: 3rd Quarter Begins
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May 29: Senior Recognition Night
6:00 – 7:30 PM at the Butler Farm Campus.
A Message from the Director
Dear Governor's School Community,
As we move into the second quarter, I am continually inspired by the dedication and creativity displayed by our students, teachers, and staff. This newsletter highlights the exceptional work taking place across our classrooms and mentorship program, from research collaborations with NASA, William & Mary, and Virginia Tech to exciting classroom explorations in calculus, physics, and biology.
Our students are not just learning—they are actively shaping the future. Whether it’s optimizing solutions in calculus, exploring the physics of rotational dynamics, or conducting data analysis with the Large Hadron Collider, they are embracing challenges with curiosity and determination.
I’d like to extend my gratitude to the Governor's School Faculty for creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences that bridge the gap between theory and real-world applications. These opportunities not only enhance academic understanding but also build confidence, critical thinking, and collaboration skills.
As the holiday season approaches, let us take a moment to celebrate our achievements and look ahead to the exciting opportunities in the new year. Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to our shared mission of excellence in STEM education.
Warm regards,
Vikki Wismer
Director, Governor’s School for Science and Technology
Differential Equations
Exploring Motion and Differential Equations
Students in differential equations have been learning about homogeneous and nonhomogeneous second-order differential equations. These are particularly useful in modeling motion of a spring/mass/damper system and for circuits which students have explored in their projects.
Pictured: Unkara (Smithfield HS) and Seth(Smithfield HS) strategize for their spring/mass/damper system project.
Pre-Calculus
The Power of Trigonometry: Real-World Applications Explored by Pre-Calculus Students
Pre-calculus students discovered how their exploration of right triangle trigonometry unlocked a fascinating world of real-world applications. They were thrilled to learn how these simple concepts play a critical role in various fields of study including Aerospace Engineering, Automotive Engineering, and Medical Science.
This exploration of trigonometry not only opened the students' eyes to its practical applications but also ignited a passion for mathematics. They realized that this powerful tool could be used to understand and shape the world around them. And when they weren't engrossed in calculations and proofs, they found time to bond over a friendly game of Jenga, creating lasting memories.
Research Methodology & Ethics w/ Statistical Analysis
Governor’s School Junior Research Students Connect to Global Physics Research!
On November 14, 2024, students from the Governor’s School junior research class participated in LHC World Wide Data Day (WWDD), an international event that connects students to cutting-edge research in particle physics. This program gave students the opportunity to work directly with data from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), a groundbreaking scientific instrument located near Geneva, Switzerland. Participants applied advanced data analysis techniques to study real-world particle collision data, replicating the methodologies used by professional researchers. The event concluded with a virtual conference featuring physicists from the LHC/ATLAS project, where students presented their findings and engaged in meaningful scientific dialogue with peers from across the globe.
Initiatives like this provide invaluable experiential learning opportunities, fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and an appreciation for the interconnected nature of modern scientific research.
Special thanks to Dr. Kuchina for bringing this opportunity to our GSST students and facilitating the sessions!
Calculus-Based Engineering Physics 1
Exploring Rotational Dynamics and the Physics of Inventions
In November, Physics I students delved into the principles of rotational dynamics, exploring key concepts such as Moment of Inertia, the Inertial Tensor, torque, angular momentum, the Parallel Axis Theorem, and the Principal Axis Theorem. As part of their studies, students conducted hands-on investigations into Rotational Equilibrium by balancing torques, as shown in the accompanying photo.
Additionally, students examined the physics behind two of humanity’s greatest inventions: the wheel and the cam, gaining a deeper understanding of their design and impact on engineering and technology.
Torque and a Ladder Problem
How stable is the ladder? What frictional coefficient is needed to ensure stability for a long, straight ladder? To answer these questions, students are exploring the effects of torques generated by various forces acting on a miniature ladder. This hands-on investigation helps them understand the balance of forces and moments required to maintain equilibrium.
Momentum
The conservation of momentum is one of the most remarkable principles in science, highlighting the fundamental symmetry of motion. To observe this in action, students are conducting experiments with smart carts to study both elastic and inelastic collisions. Through these experiments, they can analyze how momentum is transferred and conserved, gaining deeper insights into the dynamics of interacting objects.
Angular Momentum
The conservation of angular momentum is a fascinating concept that governs the behavior of rotating systems. To explore this principle, students are racing to spin gyroscopes and observing how angular momentum is preserved during motion. These activities help them understand how rotational motion is maintained and how external torques influence the stability and dynamics of spinning objects.
Senior Research & Mentorship
GSST Seniors Team Up with NASA Engineers for Mars Rover Programming Project
GSST seniors meet with their mentors, NASA engineers Carl Mills and John Pandolf. Together, the students will be programming a replica of the Mars rover, gaining hands-on experience in robotics and space exploration technology.
GSST Senior Collaborates with NASA Team on Advanced Remote ID Antenna Research
Pictured (left to right): Matthew Coldsnow (NASA), Lucie (GSST Senior, Tabb High School), and Skyler Hudson (NASA).
Lucie, a GSST senior, is engaged in an exciting mentorship at NASA Langley Research Center. Her project focuses on advancing Remote ID detection by optimizing antenna angles and spacing for effective performance. Additionally, she is designing and testing a secure mount to support the antennas during operation. Special thanks to Lucie’s NASA mentors, Matthew Coldsnow and Skyler Hudson, for their guidance and expertise!
Advanced Biological Analysis
Exploring Cellular Dynamics: Biology Students Dive into Membrane Function and Transport
During the month of November, the Biology students have been studying Cells and their membranes. So many cellular functions depend upon the integrity and composition of their cellular and organelle membranes! In the laboratory, students have examined various cell types using light microscopy and measured the cells using calibrated ocular micrometers and fields of view. (L to R) Isabella and Samaa (both from Grafton HS) examine and measure cells under the light microscope.
Students also studied transport of molecules, atoms, and ions across membranes by simple and facilitated diffusion as well as by active transport. Students modeled unit cells using cubes made of agar and the pH indicator dye, phenolpthalein, which is pink under basic conditions and uncolored under acidic conditions. This experiment provided evidence for the value of a large surface area/volume ratio for diffusion of cellular nutrients and wastes. Unkara (Smithfield HS) measures depth of diffusion into her agar cubes prior to calculating the rates of diffusion into differently sized cubes.
Using live yeast cells as a model, students then studied the active transport of the pH indicator dye, Neutral Red, into the cells and the exclusion of various basic solutions from the cell, while one base was imported into the cell. The pH sensitivity of the dye provided evidence for cellular uptake, as the acidic pH of the cell interior caused the dye within the cells to take its red colored form. Uptake of base, changing the cellular pH to basic, caused the dye within the cells to be more orange in color. Griffin (Lafayette HS) mixes ammonium hydroxide into a solution of stained yeast cells, demonstrating the color change that occurs when this particular base crosses the cell membrane and changes the pH of the cytoplasm.
Calculus-Based Engineering Physics 2
Resistors and Simple Circuits
Students recently had the opportunity to delve into the world of electronics through a hands-on lab experiment. The lab, designed to enhance their understanding of electrical circuits, focused on resistor identification and circuit configuration.
Students learned to decipher resistor color codes, calculate resistance values, and construct both series and parallel circuits. By measuring voltage and current across different circuit components, they gained insights into the behavior of electricity in various configurations.
Electric Motor
The students engaged in a hands-on learning experience by building simple electric motors. This activity allowed them to witness firsthand the principles of electromagnetism in action. By winding copper wire around a small core and connecting it to a battery and magnet, students observed the coil spinning as it was influenced by the magnetic field. This practical exercise not only reinforced theoretical concepts but also sparked curiosity and excitement about the wonders of electricity and magnetism.
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