Science Soars!

Do you remember your middle school science classes? If you were very lucky, it might have been a little bit like science at Archway. This is where learning also involves doing. Ms. Barbara teaches science at the Upper Campus and she invited me to watch students attempt to launch hot air balloons they had made in the classroom using tissue paper and glue sticks.

On my first visit, I watched the seventh graders try diligently to send their balloon sailing. After lighting four cans of sterno, Ms. Barbara placed a charcoal chimney on top of them to funnel the heated air up into the balloons. Unfortunately, they couldn't get enough hot air into their balloon on this windy and rapidly warming day to send it sailing. These were not ideal conditions for this particular experiment and in the end they had to bow to the elements and resolve to try again another day.

I returned the following day to see the eigth graders. In contrast to the previous day, this one was chilly and overcast with a slight breeze. In other words, just about perfect. There were two balloons to be launched made by two different work groups. Watch the video below to see how the launches went.

Pretty cool, huh? I can't wait to make one of these at home. Don't forget to attach fishing line so you can keep it from flying away. The first launchers retrieved their balloon and were trying to repair it enough for one more flight and the second group was already trying again when I had to leave. Many thanks to Ms. Barbara and the 7th and 8th graders for inviting me and my cameras to document this exhilirating experiment.

Got Basketball?

Did you know Archway School had not one, but two basketball teams? Well, they do, or did, until the season ended in February. Thanks to Mr. Saul and Mr. Boris who generously gave of their time to coach a boys and a girls team in the Middle School Sports League (MSSL), a number of Archway students had the opportunity to play league basketball this year. Archway teams played basketball against local teams from Park Day, Bentley, St Pauls, Windrush, Hillcrest, Julia Morgan, The Academy, Redwood Day, and Athenian. The boys team played eight games and the girls team played seven. Playing for the boys are Daron, Winn, Chris, David, Julien, and Teo. Playing for the girls are Yuly, Natasha, Felicia, Masha, Rosie, Brianna, Julia, Elena, Irene, and Lauren. (Players are not listed as pictured above).

I was able to attend the last games for the boys and the girls teams. The boys played Park Day in an exciting battle that was decided in the final seconds. Archway dominated the first half leading by more than 20 points at one time but Park Day came alive in the second half and chipped away at the lead. A last second score tied the game sending things into overtime. Park Day sunk a basket for 2 points in the final 2 seconds of play. This was basketball at it's best, with excitment running high throughout the game.




The girls played their last game of the season at Bentley. Things looked tough when a bigger, older and more experienced varsity team took the court against them. Things just got tougher when the whistle blew, but the Archway girls played every play as though it was the most important one. The Archway fans cheered them through to the end and I was proud to be there with them. They represented themselves and their school with pride, determination and an adamant refusal to quit.




With the season coming to an end you won't get to see these teams play again until next year. But when basketball season starts again and you're itching to watch some hoops, these are two teams worth seeing. They are truly inspiring athletes inside and out.