This week SERC seniors presented their impressive research projects to the Upper School student body. The seniors shared their learning and growth perspectives as students in the SERC program. The presentations included the use of AI to detect hidden information in medical images (Arya Bansal), micromotors that can deliver drugs to specific organs (Alex Christ), the development of an app for the detection of fake media (Mika Dewar), an evaluation of turkey muscle scaffolds as a potential treatment of muscle loss (Lauren Foster), designing a competitive antagonist drug for myelin damage in the peripheral nervous system (Keyana McLennon), identifying the most reliable test in the use of arm prosthetics (Andrew Lay), enamel as a potential biomarker for major depressive disorder (Grace Lee), evaluating the importance of classifiers in DCIS (Layah Nasr), the potential use of lunar soil to grow plants (Laura Taylor), theoretical and modeling solutions for habitability of planets (Lulu Tierney), and the use of an aerodynamic model to evaluate the reentry parameters of Artemis’ Orion Shuttle (Jack Wigmore). Thank you, seniors, for your commitment to research and to the SERC program! 

To commemorate Neuroscience Awareness Week, the Upper School's newly formed Neuroscience Club hosted a series of Lower School activities after Spring Break. Club members read Dr. JoAnn Deak's "Your Fantastic Elastic Brain" to second and third graders, introduced them to some key anatomical features in the brain, and discussed the wonders of "neurosculpting," and having a growth mindset. LS students were also invited to jot down their "brainiest" neuroscience questions on cards; club members will answer these questions during their next club meeting and send them back to their LS buddies. Future goals for the Neuroscience Club include more fun outreach efforts and preparations for the International Brain Bee and Brain Awareness Video Contest.   

Peter Chang, a renowned chef in the Chinese culinary scene – and restaurateur who owns 13 restaurants – visited the Upper School Chinese program's students on April 6. He shared his culinary expertise, demonstrated making his signature dish, kung pao chicken, and treated attendees to diverse Chinese flavors. Beyond the gastronomic delights, the event promoted cross-cultural understanding and appreciation for Chinese cuisine, fostering a greater understanding of its heritage, innovation, and fusion in the American culinary landscape. It was a memorable event that enriched culinary knowledge and cultural awareness, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended. 

Ms. Virchow's "Adventure, Food, and Travel" senior English elective doubled in size last week when they joined Mr. Gustavson's first graders for a walk in the woods, one of several adventures in the woods this spring. Led by Lower School science teacher, Ms. McKinney, the students walked around the Lower Pond, by Pimmit Run, and through woodland trails on their search for vertebrates. The seniors reminisced about their earlier years at Potomac as they made discoveries with their young friends – and were also reminded of how exhausting it can be to keep up with 6-year-olds! The Upper School students will reflect on their experiences in their final essay and presentation for the course. 

Last week, eight seniors traveled to Cambridge, MA, to participate in the Harvard Pre-Collegiate Economics Challenge, an annual economics competition held on the Harvard campus. The participants included 30 teams from 18 schools across the U.S. The team of Arya Kumar, Kylie McKinley, Tea Picconatto, and Greg Zubler defeated Union County Academy (NJ) and Thomas Jefferson (VA) in the quiz bowl section, lost to Lexington (MA) A and B, and accumulated enough points to be one of just eight teams to advance to the final elimination round – ending with an overall fourth place ranking. They were defeated by Farmington (CT) in the quarterfinal. The team of Arya Bansal, Lauren Foster, Jack Nelson, and Brock Schedler won their quiz bowl matches against Lexington A and Union County Academy but lost to Lexington B and Thomas Jefferson. They did not advance to the elimination round. The day in Cambridge included a visit by Rajan Bhargava '22, now a first-year student at Harvard, and a serendipitous encounter with Kay Rollins '21, who is also studying at Harvard. 

The Upper School Madrigal Singers participated in the 33rd Washington Independent Schools Choral Festival at Washington National Cathedral last night. The evening's high point was Handel's first Coronation Anthem; sung at every British coronation since its 1727 premiere, which was performed during the festival by 350 singers from nine independent schools and accompanied by an orchestra.