Newspapers / North Carolina School of … / Dec. 1, 2001, edition 1 / Page 2
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i december 2001 Exploring Beyond the Classroom: Mini-Term Cassidy Brown A aah, Mini-Term. Those wonderful ten days that every Science and Math student anticipates, especially after a harrowing third quarter. It not only gives students a break from the normal rigor of aca demic life, it gives them an opportunity to dabble in some thing new and unconventional. Due to class scheduling and aca demic requirements, students cannot always explore their myr iad interests in regular courses, even though that subject may be offered. Mini-Term is the per fect occasion for students (and teachers) to pursue some of their interests in an educational envi ronment. There are three ways to experience Mini-Term: scheduled classes, independent projects, and, of course, trips. Teachers as well as students look forward to Mini-Term because they get a chance to teach something unusual. Some of last year’s favorites were North Carolina Fossil Hunt, taught by Dr. O’Dell and Ms. Graves; Tennessee Williams, led by Ms. Moose; and Art in Chemistry with Mr. Roser. But there is a wide variety of cours es and options; all students can find something to suit their interests. Whether it be digging for fossils or roleplaying on stage, taking pictures or working in a chemistry lab, there is something for everyone. Independent projects are always popular, as well. If stu dents just don’t see classes that suit them, they can design their own course. All they need is a great idea (sorry, but it has to have an educational component) and a sponsor. All independent project proposals must be sub mitted to a committee, vidro will then either accept or reject the proposal. Don’t worry if yours does not pass the first time; the committee gives good proposals that just need a little woric a sec ond chance to be reviewed. Many people had a lot of fun working independently last year; they did everything from write books to make movies, and all of them were successful. Despite recent world events, many students are still planning to take a trip for Mini- Term. However, some parents are wary of letting their children go overseas during such tumul tuous times. Some students who had signed up to travel with a Mini-Term group have since withdrawn. Nevertheless, none of the scheduled trips have been cancelled because of concern for student’s safety; the decision to travel is left up to individual students and their parents. Some of the trips have been can celled due to lack of interest. Sponsors are not sure whether the lack of interest was caused. by travel concerns, or if there really was no one interested in that particular trip. If you do choose to travel, teachers and staff offer a wide variety of activities and places to visit: sci entific research in the Bahamas, historical and cultural investiga tions of Italy, and Grecian cruis- Jordan Lofton Bovin Tigho creating a hand in Art In Chemistry, a Mini-Term course offered last year, with the help of Dr. Allen. Katherine Chen NCSSM students enjoying a brisk London day during Mini-Term 2001. es, to name a few. However, juniors should keep in mind that students are .only allowedto take., a “big trip” (more than 3 nights off campus) once, and many opt to save traveling for their senior year. Even though Mini- Term seems like a long way off, plans are already underway, and students are already wishing it was here. Whether you’re plan ning to take a course, propose an independent project, or go on a -tFq>j>-Mini-'Perm offers-some-^ thing for everyone. Whatever you decide to do, the change in pace firom your regular academ ic day is enough in itself to make Mini-Term enjoyable. And remember: it’s never too soon to look forward to Mini-Term. So, what’ll it be? International Outcry for Peace Elysa Wan O n Wednesday, December 5, 2001, black-clad forms wove through the colorful student body. These students were participating in the International Outcry for Peace, part of an International Strike Against War that occurred in 25 different countries and on 4 different continents. Shortly before the set date, organizers Sarah Wilson and Elysa Wan distributed fliers announcing the event and encouraging supporters to wear black in “reflection and remembrance” of “the absurd ity that is war.” During common lunch a collection of these protesters gathered at a sit-in around the Sarah Wilson Participants of the “International Outcry for Peace,” held last Wednesday, Dec. 5, listen to Paul Smith read a pamphlet about the injustices of the Afghani War. ledge in the cafeteria. There, many lifted their voices read ing pamphlets, news articles, poetry and other writing about the ongoing war. The atmos phere was eerily somber and peaceful, befitting the stories being told. Elsewhere in the cafeteria it was just another typical day. The voice of the speaker was only another voice to be spo ken above in conversations with friends. Many cafeteria goers even expressed outright aversion towards the ongoing demonstration. Chris Jordan stated that he found the protesters “annoy ing” and ineffective. He and many others felt that their fel low students were making an inappropriate and unappreciat ed disturbance. Brian Phelps pointed out that many would have support ed this sort of event if it had occurred six months ago. The events of the 11 th of September brought violence, terrorism and the prospect of war into our own homes. Many citizens now feel per sonally violated and obligated to retaliate. The organizers and partic ipants of the protest are quick to point out that they were not protesting against the govern ment or foreign policy. It was merely a campaign for con templation and education on both the essence and realistic aspects of war. Whether the outcry affect ed anyone’s views on the war in Afghanistan still remains unknown. But it is can safely be said that it did cause people to ponder the concept of war a little more than usual, which may have been the ultimate goal. Whatever the conclusion of these ponderings, they may have all shared a common essence as depicted in the fol lowing stanza by a Saudi poet: Yet there might be one thing on which we see eye to eye: You want Justice So do I. the stentorian TheNCSSM Principal’s Cup: Mone lhanjmt a T-sMttyou don^temi knowwl^you gotinihefirst place Julian Himes N early all students are familiar with the IM championships, and many students participate in the hopes that their hall will win the Director’s Cup-at the end of the year. Few are aware, however, of another prize bestowed upon one hail each year: the Principal’s Cup. Created only four years ago, the Principal’s Cup is awarded to the hall with the most aca demic participation and «ciu«vemeat; w 1-. discovered this myself when I attended the “Medical Ethics” lecture by Dr. Jeremy Sugarman a few weeks ago and was asked to sign a piece of paper with my name and hall. Here are a few examples of events that will gain points toward the Principal’s Cup. For the complete list, as well as the points associ ated with each event, visit The Stentorian On the Web twww.ncssm.edu/stentoriant Humanities ♦ National Language Exams ♦ Essay contests ♦ Academic Team Comp^tions (Quiz Bowl, etc.) ♦ Publishing piece in Blue. Mirror 4 Speakers Mathematics ♦ Contests: (Atlantic & Pacific Mandelbrot) ♦ Speakers and Science ♦ Competitions ♦ Speakers (special conferences. Faculty Colloquia, special events off campus) Other special events ♦ National Library Week Guest Author Presentation ♦ Attendance at Oct. Ethics and Leadership Conference ♦ Faculty Colloquia
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Student Newspaper
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Dec. 1, 2001, edition 1
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