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Princeton University Professor Emeritus Serves as Guest Judge for Princeton Academy Independent Science Project Exposition

By Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart
For the past six weeks, Princeton Academy’s middle school has taken part in a unique six-week learning experience known as the Independent Science Project or ISP.  “It’s an exciting time of year because the students are energized by one another: they are each other’s test subjects, they are fellow scientists. It is absolutely amazing, the thinking that is going on, the collaboration, the curiosity, imagination, and it is all 21st century skills, ” says Head of Middle School and science teacher, Kathleen Humora, who created the program and has supervised it for 13 years.
Mrs. Humora is referring to a global movement among educators to define the skills necessary for success in the coming years. The goal is to transform teaching methods with innovative approaches to lifelong learning, helping students assimilate and understand new ideas quickly through practical applications and interactive group activities. The movement has identified three core areas: life and career skills, learning and innovation skills, and information media and technology skills. Princeton Academy constantly evaluates the curriculum with these guidelines in mind.
For Princeton University Geosciences Professor Emeritus, Lincoln Hollister, a first time judge, the event was inspiring.  “The fact that the school has this program, and that all middle school students participate every year is of tremendous educational value.  These students are very fortunate to be able to attend Princeton Academy, and the school is very fortunate to have such a fine group of students.”
Students detail their work in a notebook or iPad and create a three-panel display board that is exhibited for the whole Princeton Academy community. The ISP culminates with the Science Exposition, when boys present their findings a panel of professional scientists and classmates.
 “Many schools require science projects, but Princeton Academy may be the only one that sets aside time for the entire project to be done in school as an integral part of the science curriculum. At Princeton Academy, students spend weeks researching a problem of interest, designing an experiment and troubleshooting the project,” said Olen Kalkus, founding Headmaster.  “Some of their best learning comes from investigating hypotheses that are not supported, ” Mr. Kalkus explains.  “It is similar to what scientists do all over the world: carry out iterative research.”
Professor Hollister agrees, “Princeton Academy’s ISP carries several long-term learning lessons.  This way of learning, ‘learning by doing and collaborating,’ does not come automatically; you need continuity of learning by failing, recognizing errors, and trying again.   The real knowledge is gained in trying again. Good experiments, and mastering the scientific method has application to virtually everything we do.  Data-based decision making is a valuable long-term life skill,” Professor Hollister explains.
About Princeton Academy
Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart is an independent, Catholic-based school for boys in junior kindergarten through grade 8, in Princeton, New Jersey. A member of the National and International Network of Sacred Heart Schools, Princeton Academy provides a values-based education with a focus on social awareness, ethics, spirituality, and service. While academic rigor is emphasized at Princeton Academy, value is placed on teaching boys to grow into young gentlemen who love learning, enjoy life, and care