• November 1, 2023: Second Quarter Begins
• November 7, 2023: Election Day - NHREC/GSST Closed; No Students
• November 22-24, 2023: Thanksgiving Break - NHREC/GSST Closed; No Students
• December 1, 2023: Dual Enrollment Withdraw Deadline
• December 18, 2023 - January 2, 2024: Winter Break -NHREC/GSST Closed; No Students
• May 30, 2024: Senior Recognition Night; 6:00 - 7:30 PM; Butler Farm Campus)

Check out this video of Dr. Albyarak's Senior Engineering Students testing Einstein's theory of relativity through a measurement of the lifetime of cosmic muon particles using sophisticated particle detectors and data acquisition electronics. Click on the link below!

In multivariable calculus, students have learned about visualizing functions of two variables, taking limits and partial derivatives of functions of multiple variables. They have used these tools to discuss the gradient, direction of maximum and minimum rate of change, and identify maximum and minimum values.

Pictured Below: Multivariable Calculus Students Explore Gradient Descent

Intriguing Experiment: Calculus Students Delve into the Mystery of Blow Pops

Calculus students embarked on a unique journey as they indulged in Blow Pops and gathered data to tackle the timeless riddle: "How many licks does it take to reach the core of a Blow Pop?"

Image 1: Annette (Kecoughtan) and Isabella (Bethel)

Image 2: Sofia (Bruton) and Allyson (Grafton)

Image 3: Ryan (Grafton) and Nikhil (Grafton)

Students collaborate with their table mates to share ideas on their quiz review.

Pictured: Sarah (Lafayette HS), Faith (Poquoson HS), Tanner (Gloucester HS), Jacob (Phoebus HS), Temeka (Paraprofessional), Sladjana (Kecoughtan HS), Samuel (Poquoson HS), Miles (Lafayette HS), and Musie (Phoebus HS).

As students in Junior Research prepare for their independent research projects, they participate in a class project designed to model various forms of data collection. The project will guide students through the complete research process, including developing a research problem, crafting a proposal, collecting and analyzing data, and engaging in discussions about the findings and future research.

Alumni Lillian Lam (Johns Hopkins) and Diane Hoffman (CNU) paid a virtual visit. As GSST seniors they presented their mentorship research and earned the first place award in the category of Chemistry at the 2023 Junior Science and Humanities Symposium held at Longwood University. They gave current students tips for presenting research at symposiums. They also answered questions about the college experience.

In the modern physics unit, students derived Einstein's equation E=mc^2 and learned its profound implications, from the production of nuclear energy to the nuclear arsenal.

In Computer Programming with C++ unit, students created their first Windows app, an on-screen calculator, using Microsoft Visual Studio along with the C++ programming language.

In the EDIE lab class, engineering-physics, and computer science students started the first step of the engineering design process by beginning to search for and discuss their project ideas.

Students studied three major energy-transforming metabolic processes in Biology during the month of October: Respiration, Fermentation, and Photosynthesis.

Picture 1, in the foreground, Finley (Tabb HS) compares respiration rates of germinating, non-germinating, and heat-denatured germinated pea seeds, as measured by oxygen production and consumption of CO2. The Vernier oxygen and carbon dioxide gas sensors detected and recorded partial pressures of the gasses in real-time for analysis.

Picture 2, from left to right, Kaylee (Smithfield HS), Elijah (York HS), Finley (Tabb HS), and Lilly (Menchville HS) compare the results of their Benedict’s test for residual reducing sugars that they collected over the week from their biofuel fermentation flask. Students used the semi-quantitative data for residual sugar as well as specific gravity measurements to calculate the alcohol production as compared with sugar consumption in the process.

Picture 3, left to right, Caroline and Hannah (both Grafton HS) monitor reduction of a dye due to the light reactions of photosynthesis in tubes of isolated chloroplasts. The dye replaces a normal electron acceptor in the light-dependent reactions and loses its dark color as it is reduced. The color change was quantified using spectrophotometry.

Picture 4, Faith (Poquoson HS) and Andrea (Lafayette HS) separate photosynthetic pigments isolated from leaves of their choosing using thin layer chromatography.

To understand the static friction, juniors in computational physics explore different surfaces and analyze their coefficient of friction. In static friction, the frictional force resists force that is applied to an object, and the object remains at rest until the force of static friction is overcome. In kinetic friction, the frictional force resists the motion of an object.

The kinematics of rotational motion describes the relationships between the angle of rotation, angular velocity, angular acceleration, and time. In rotational motion, net torque is the cause of angular acceleration, exactly as in Newton's second law of motion for rotation. Using power supply, motor and a rotational table, students are exploring dynamic properties of rotational motion.

In Computer Science, seniors are learning the ins-and-outs of collecting data through surveys, how to analyze the data using the methods that they have learned so far, and finishing up loops in the C++ programming language. On Wednesdays during the EDIE lab, Computer Science strand students are teaming up with students from the Engineering strand to begin working on their year long EDIE lab projects that incorporate critical thinking skills and the skills from their respective strands to make a physical product by the end of the school year.

GSST's recent Spirit Week provided students with a unique opportunity to express their school spirit, creativity, and unity. The week featured engaging activities, themed dress-up days, and spirited competitions that fostered a strong sense of belonging and enthusiasm. Thanks to everyone who joined us, making it an unforgettable week!

A special thank you to the State of the Arts Club volunteers for designing and creating candy packets for the GSST student body.