Sink or Swim?

As we worked to make progress on our underwater vehicles, we used math to compute buoyant forces of an object. We tested sample objects in our 200 gallon test tank to see if they would sink or float based solely on our calculations. In the afternoon, we assembled our thruster motors and waterproofed them using electrical tape, wax and plastic canisters. Slowly, the designs for our underwater vehicles are taking shape!

 

Scripts, Schedules, and Screams, Oh My!

                       

Our movie production crew has been very busy in the last 2.5 days!  They visited a special effects studio in Woburn, MA on Monday.  Ben Bornstein owns Creative Initiative: Make-up and Effects Studio.  He has worked on movies like Zookeeper, The Fighter, The Departed and TV shows like Desperate Housewives and CSI: Las Vegas.

On Tuesday the group spent all day working on their movie scripts.  Yes, that's plural - there will be TWO movies this year! This group actually did work at the Winterim meetings that we had during MX this past term.  They had already brainstormed their story lines and the faculty leaders prepped the scripts with a basic template. They were due to start filming today, but after a read through of their scripts in Waters House they realized they needed some final touches.  

Also, two movie producers, Russ and Christy met with the group today and plan to be with the group through next week.  Russ Jaquith of Jaquith Productions is from California. He has worked with our group in the past and his professional expertise has proven to be extremely helpful.













In order to inspire their work in writing and filming, the group has watched portions of a thriller movie, "The Ring." Faculty leader, Nate Cabot, says it is a suspense thriller with excellent filming techniques, he hopes the students will try to use in their films.  This afternoon the group will be planning out their production schedule and hopefully they will not be delayed due to the impending snow storm we might have tomorrow.

Land of the Leprechaun

Lawrence Academy sends people all over the world during Winterim. For the second year in a row a group of students are in Ireland to photograph that wondrous land. The group is being lead by John Rooney and our very own Laurie McGowan, both of whom are professional photographers.  Another leader is NGP teacher Matt Greene who has "always wanted to go to Ireland."

This week the group is in Tollymoore Forest Park in Ireland. This photo was taken from Google images, it was not taken by a student, but maybe the group got to see this feat of Irish stone architecture.

Round and Round It Goes

On the third day of Winterim my supervisor gave to me three blog jobs, two project visits, and one hour for lunch . . .

Students in the LA wood shop are sending wood shavings flying all around. On their journey to perfecting the art of wood turning on their lathes, they are learning how to properly use the tools of the trade. Check out the slide show, set to music by Daily Grind from their album called Rehearsals.  (Creative Commons music from Jamendo.)

Shear Madness

Lawrence Academy brought its students to Shear Madness last night. A play in Boston that the school brings their on-campus boarders to every Winterim. The play is a comedic parody on social and political issues and celebrities in the news.