Meghan O'Malley tours US. Naval Academy

After returning from a recent tour of multiple universities, Meghan O'Malley ('16) shared her insights on the culture of the United States Naval Academy with the ATA College Prep community. In a follow-up interview, Meghan was kind enough to offer specific advice to fellow students who might be interested in applying to this prestigious institution. Her words paint a picture of an education devoted to the values of teamwork, service, and patriotism in Annapolis, Maryland...

"Fed Up" Documentary & Workshop

On Monday morning, the community of ATA College Prep was treated to an informative workshop on the topics of diet and nutrition. The format of the presentation combined elements of lecture, film, and discussion to educate students on the importance of healthy eating, along with the risks associated with improper nutrition.

As our guest speaker for the week, Dio offered his expertise on the dangers of....

Natural Habitats in Science

Right now, ATA CP students in Life Science class are exploring the natural environment around us and how humans interact with it.  This week, the class took a walk down to the creek on campus and observed the wildlife there, including both living and nonliving features, as well as the characteristics that scientists use to distinguish between the two.  At that time, students were asked to silently observe and make notes on everything that was occurring in the area.  In addition, the topic of ecosystems, along with what factors might positively or negatively impact a habitat, have provided a basis for collaborative discussions and a writing project in the form of student journals.

Thinking Through Humanities

After wrapping up the successful study and performance of Shakespeare's As You Like It, ATACP students begin new units Literature. The Humanities program strives to provide an inter-relatedness of all subject matter through the analysis and discussion of great literature, and the writings of great thinkers.  

Students ages 14-16 are reading Watership Down, the classical adventure novel about...

Biology Field Trip - UT Science Talk

Our Furry Cousins

 written by students, Granville Kaynor & Adi Ford
 

The ATA College Prep biology class took a field trip to UT’s Welch Hall to observe a “Hot Science Cool Talk,” last Friday, April 4th. The talk, hosted by Professor Anthony Di Fiore, focused mainly on wild spider monkeys, and how their behavioral patterns are similar to those of humans.  Before Professor Fiore’s presentation, his UT graduate student helpers held various exciting activities at their booths.  For example, there were spider monkey board games, informational spider monkey packets to read and skeletons of spider monkeys for display.  During the lecture, Professor Fiore touched on the similar social behavioral patterns between humans, chimpanzees, and spider monkeys. These three groups seem to have a fission-fusion type of social behavioral pattern, meaning that they form different social groups throughout the day. The Professor also mentioned that spider monkeys and chimpanzees form territorial groups that are sometimes infiltrated by other groups. The monkeys patrol the borders of other monkey’s territories in effort to expand their own territory. Professor Fiore pointed out that this mimics the behavior of former primitive humans. However, Professor Fiore explained that obtaining this information is not easy because the specimens live in tall trees and hardly ever come out due to the potential danger of other predators such as the puma and cheetah.

ATA College Prep’s biology class is very grateful for this opportunity to learn outside the walls of the classroom and we hope to visit UT again soon.

Thursday Morning ATA CP Classroom Tour

Are you ever curious about what is happening around the ATA CP classrooms? This morning, the CP students and teachers are hard at work on a variety of subjects. Take a Thursday morning classroom tour below. 

 How much ice does it take to make your drink cold?  Mr. Rutherford and his Physics students discuss, hypothesize, test and answer this question.

 How much ice does it take to make your drink cold?  Mr. Rutherford and his Physics students discuss, hypothesize, test and answer this question.

How do our muscles contract? Mr. Strecker and his Anatomy and Physiology class discuss the path and process from brain to muscle. 

How do our muscles contract? Mr. Strecker and his Anatomy and Physiology class discuss the path and process from brain to muscle. 

Mr. Notis and the Geometry students take a quiz. 

Mr. Notis and the Geometry students take a quiz. 

Mr. Owusu and the Algebra 1 students discuss and work on the Quadratic Formula.  

Mr. Owusu and the Algebra 1 students discuss and work on the Quadratic Formula.  

While all of the ATA CP students, teachers and classes aren't shown above, the pictures displayed offer a window into the dedicated hard work the CP family takes on every day. Check back here regularly for more windows into life at ATA CP!