Secondary Newsletter 8 – October 2, 2020

October 2, 2020October 2, 2020 Secondary Secretary

Extended Essay Chemistry
Virtual Bali Model United Nations Conference Being Considered
Counseling
Upcoming International SAT Test Date & Deadline
Virtual Events

More Science Department News
Students have been busy in Science classes engaging with a variety of online resources and activities.

Extended Essay Chemistry
Anastasia is writing her Extended Essay, a 4000-word research essay in the subject of Chemistry. She has spent 4 hours in the lab already collecting data. She hopes to find out if a few different herbs, used in traditional medicine to treat heartburn, do really cause the pH of hydrochloric acid (acid we have in our stomach) to change! So far her data is promising! We will invite her to share her conclusions with us all when she is finished.

DP Chemistry 11 – Labs During Online Learning
Although we need to keep our distance, we can still learn some lab skills and collect data. Watch a speed version of 15 minutes of a Chemistry online lab.

Check out the video here – Video

DP Biology 11 – Studying Ecosystems
During our planned EOTC trip, we would have had the opportunity to learn about coral rehabilitation. In Biology class, we have been learning about ecosystems, and students have researched various ecosystems in Bali. Here are some of their posters:

DP Biology 12 – Online Presentations
Our senior biologists have prepared and presented to their classmates a part of a topic on Human Systems. Besides becoming experts in a part of the content, they had the opportunity to practice their scientific vocabulary and communication skills.

MYP & DP Sciences Assessment
Although we cannot be in school, we use an online platform to create fair assessment scenarios for our MYP & DP students. This platform was used last year during our Semester Exams and has been successfully used in our classes this year. The opportunity to complete unit tests allows students to practice time management and the types of questions they will face during DP exams.

Virtual Bali Model United Nations Conference Being Considered

BIS, Canggu Community School, Dyatmika and The Green School Bali are looking into creating the 9th Annual Bali MUN conference virtually this year. Generally held in November somewhere on the island, the schools are now gauging student interest for a possible December 2020 or early 2021 conference date.

Right now there is a deadline of October 2nd for students to apply for “special” positions such as Chairs and Co-Chairs of committees, the IT/press/media team and to be their school’s special “Representative” (each school requires at least one). Parents are encouraged to inquire with their children about their interest; BIS has a strong tradition of exemplary, professional and award-winning MUN achievements that should continue.

Students who are interested in regular “Delegate” positions need not apply by October 2nd (that will come later) but should alert Mr. Marshall as to their interest. Students who have not done MUN before but who would like to try usually have to “intern” as a “page” at a conference before being elevated to Delegate status, but this year exceptions may be made, so all students are invited to consider this opportunity.

Counseling
Think about the early days of childhood. Suppose I ask you to recall favorite memories. Do you think of time spent playing with blocks, climbing trees, pretending to be ____, jumping in leaves, riding your bike, swinging, chasing others, coloring, trying different sports with neighbor kids, sled riding, trying new instruments, doing cannonballs in a pool, building forts, playing cards or board games, catching critters, and so on? What emotions bubble to the surface as you think back on your days of playing? My guess is these memories trigger the positive feelings you felt while doing the activities. My question to you is, do you and your teens still actively engage in play?

Benefits of play for teens:

Helps develop the area of the brain used for planning and making sound decisions
More imaginative and creative in the real world
Improves executive function in the brain (self-discipline and self-control)
Increases tolerance and compassion for others
Betters abilities to cooperate and compromise

(Hartwell-Walker, 2015)

Benefits of experiencing positive emotions from healthy experiences:

More resilient
Increases productivity, activity, and creativity
Improves overall health
Viewed as likable and friendly
Increases helpfulness
Perceive life as more meaningful

(Lyubomirsky, 2008)

George Bernard Shaw once said, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” We have a break coming up. Start planning now for how your family is going to get off devices and embrace playtime!

University Counseling
On September 25, Grades 9-12 participated in the BIS Virtual University Fair. Students attended three workshops and visited with numerous universities from around the world. Students had an opportunity to network with university representatives and ask relevant questions in small groups or individual sessions. Thank you, Grade 9 – 12 students, for representing BIS positively, and a huge thanks to Ibu Indra for her impressive organizational skills.

Registrations and deadlines:

Upcoming International SAT Test Date & Deadline

How to Register for the SAT

Many universities in the US are moving away from SATs, not only due to COVID. If G12 students explore US universities and see that testing is optional, this means the university no longer weighs testing as necessary. If students take the SAT and score at the top, it could be helpful as a further indicator of achievement. Universities recognize that grades, especially DP grades, better reflect university success than a one-off test.

Other Virtual Fairs

EduCanada Virtual Fair 2020 – Oct 10th

Meet 20+ Dutch universities at Virtually Orange! – Nov. 8th

Virtual Events
Schools are offering virtual visits to their campuses. As they contact us, we share it with you. If your family is interested in specific schools, you can also look at the websites via Bridge U.

Ambassador Leaders’ News and Updates

American College of Greece

Beloit College

Canadian education events October 2020

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Info Sessions

King’s College London

Loughborough University Open Day

North American Universities Showcase

NUCB Info Session

Scholarships and Updates from Bard College Berlin

Study in the USA

The College of New Jersey Virtual Info Session