The Science Leadership Academy is a partnership high school between the School District of Philadelphia and The Franklin Institute. SLA is an inquiry-driven, project-based high school focused on 21st century learning that opened its doors on September 7, 2006.
SLA provides a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum with a focus on science, technology, mathematics and entrepreneurship. Students at SLA learn in a project-based environment where the core values of inquiry, research, collaboration, presentation and reflection are emphasized in all classes.
In Memoriam -- Paul Scaer
Submitted by clehmann on Wed, 06/17/2009 - 04:42.
To the SLA community:
The Science Leadership Academy lost one of its founding members as our librarian, Paul Scaer, lost his battle with cancer and passed away at 3:30 am on Tuesday morning. Paul was a truly outstanding and caring educator, and his vision for the role of a library in an inquiry-driven and project-based school will guide us in the Scaer Library for years to come. Paul took great joy in being a part of the SLA community, and he felt deep regret that he had to leave SLA before the work he set out to do was finished. As SLA continues to grow and evolve, we will honor Paul and his ideals by continuing to create a library that is both a place of great learning and of great joy.
As we get information about funeral arrangements and where to send donations, we will pass them on to the school community. Paul represented the best of what we strive to be as educators, and he will be deeply, deeply missed.
Update: A Memorial Service for Paul Scaer will be held Saturday, July 18, 11:00 AM at University Lutheran Church, 3637 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, 19104.
SLA’s Hidden City Festival- June 5th, 1:00-3:00
Submitted by jblock on Thu, 06/04/2009 - 17:30.
Location + Movement + Sound (+Objects)
An enormous thank you to Leah Stein, David Konyk, and Michele Tantoco of Leah Stein Dance Company for all of their time, help, and wisdom.
Congratulations to Iron & Copper Streams for their amazing work!
See attached schedule, plan your route, & enjoy the performances!
SLA Featured in Scholastic Administrator Magazine!
Submitted by clehmann on Wed, 06/03/2009 - 02:37.
Science Leadership Academy was featured in the May issue of Scholastic Administrator magazine in the article article The Power of Project-Based Learning. And SLA is also on the front of ScholasticAdministrator.com as the "Video of the Week," which is linked below. Be sure to see how one of the most respected education magazines views SLA!
Join us for the SLA Hidden City Festival*, Friday June 5th, 1:00-3:00
Submitted by jblock on Mon, 06/01/2009 - 16:18.
Copper and Iron streams are taking part in an incredible collaboration with Leah Stein, founder of Leah Stein Dance Company. Students took part in a two hour workshop at the Armory on 23rd Street where they were introduced to the process of “tuning” to a site, creating movement and sound that connect to a site, and using these elements to create larger performance pieces. The process was quite awe inspiring to watch.
New Family Night
Submitted by clehmann on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 19:24.
To the parents and students of the class of 2013:
Come join us at New Family Night -- May 21s from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Science Leadership Academy. This will be your opportunity to meet SLA’s faculty and students, find out more information about the Summer Institute, learn more about SLA’s Home and School Association, and more. Copies of our summer reading will be available for purchase from Barnes and Noble at Family Night as well. Street parking is available, and there is a lot next to the school and another lot at 23rd and Arch.
In addition, we will be administering our Math and Spanish placements beforehand. Placements will be at the following times:
| Math and Spanish Placements | Arrive at 4:30 pm |
| Math Placement Only | Arrive at 5:00 pm |
Please confirm your attendance by no later than May 19th via phone or email. If you are unable to attend, we will make arrangements to share information with you via the SLA website: http://www.scienceleadership.org.
Once again, welcome to Science Leadership Academy, and we hope to see you on May 21st! If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 215-979-5620. Email RSVPs should be sent to our secretary, Diane LoGiudice at dlogiudice@scienceleadership.org.
Girls Soccer B-Divison City Champs!
Submitted by tallmond on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 01:36.
SLA’s Girls Soccer Team won today in a game to determine the winners of the B-division 2009 soccer season. This was a very productive game after the unfortunate knee injury of Jasmine Hollerway, a key player for the SLA soccer team's defense in a game earlier this week. The game started off rough with neither team scoring a goal for the first half of the game. It seemed to be that the ball was constantly being pushed back and forth with a few close calls that the defense handled with the help of Christine Walden who seemed to always be where a quick defensive play was needed.
Schedule for Tuesday, May 5th
Submitted by clehmann on Mon, 05/04/2009 - 14:33.
On Tuesday, May 5th, the juniors will be taking the Science PSSAs while the 9th and 10th graders take part in a Health Expo run in conjunction with Temple University. The schedule will be as follows:
8:15 - 10:35 -- PSSA testing / Temple Health Expo
10:40 - 11:20 -- E Band
11:25 - 12:05 -- A Band
12:10 - 12:50 -- Y Band
12:55 - 1:35 -- X Band
1:40 - 2:20 -- B Band
2:25 - 3:05 -- C Band
Track Finishes Regular Season On a High Note!
Submitted by krochester on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 03:31.
On the afternoon of April 29, the boys and girls track and field teams competed in their final track meet of the regular season. The girls finished first overall in the team standings ahead of 8 other schools. The boys’ team finished third in the standings.
Girls' track and field highlights include two first place finishes by Alison Campbell in both the mile (6:19 Personal Best) and two mile run (13:42). Aimee Leong won the girls 800m run with a personal best time of 3:15. Ipiphani Battle anchored the girls 4 by 100m to a second place (54.5) and added second place finishes in both the 100 and 200m sprints. Ashley Etheredge and Shareesa Bollers added 4th and 5th place finishes in the 200m sprints as well. The meet was undecided until the conclusion of the triple jump. Marina Stuart who already won the long jump (14’10”) in which her teammate Arthurline Bowen placed third (13’1”) proceeded to win the triple jump with a mark of 28’5”.
On the boys’ side, the distance runners lead the way. Highlights began with a first place finish in the 4 by 800m relay (10:08). Will McFarlane, who was a member of that relay team, added two-second place finished in both the mile (5:46) and two mile (12:18). Jordan Young added a 4th place finish in the 3200 (13:27). Junior Chris Cothran added a second place finished in the 800m (2:39). In the sprints Marshall Johnston and Cody Nichols tied for 7th place in the 100m (12.4). Jason Davis finished 8th in the 200m (25.5) and Blase Bielo finished 6th in the 400m. Mike Miller finished 4th in the long jump with a personal best jump of 17’3”. Kitab Moore led the throwers by placing 5th in the shot up with a personal best throw of 30’7”. Many of these athletes will be competing in the District Track and Championship held next Wednesday and Thursday at Germantown and Northeast High School at 1pm.
Voices of Philadelphia Debate Results
Submitted by dlaufenberg on Mon, 04/27/2009 - 17:37.
On Saturday, April 25th, the Science Leadership Academy's Debate Team participated in the 2009 Voices of Philadelphia Debate Tournament at Drexel University. Representing SLA at this tournament was Yousef Khaled, Will MacFarlane, Chris Cassise, Narayan El, Shareesa Bollers, Jeff Kessler, The day started off with a round robin competition in both varsity and novice divisions. Following the initial rounds, Shareesa Bollers moved on to the quarterfinals for Varsity and Jeff Kessler moved on to the semi-finals for the Novice division. After a spirited couple of rounds, both of them advanced once again. Shareesa Bollers faced the tournament champion in the semi-finals and although scoring well, was elminated in that round. Perspectives Debate made us sweat a little following the novice finals as we were not told the outcome of the Novice Championship round until the Awards Ceremony.
At the awards ceremony, we were thrilled to see Jeff Kessler receive a nice trophy and a $2500 Drexel University Scholarship for his win in the Novice Division as well as a Speaker Award. Shareesa Bollers also, received a Speaker Award as well as a trophy for the achievement of placing in the Semi-Finals and a $5000 Drexel University Scholarship. The final announcement at the tournament was in overall team placement and Science Leadership was honored to receive third place overall.
This year, SLA was once again part of the Perspectives Debate program with the University of Pennsylvania. Thanks to Ali Huberlie, Matt Scarola, Lucas Hartman and Katie Poulos for their support during the spring season. After such a successful season, plans are already underway to keep the momentum going into next season. Well done team!
More Photos and a Debate Summary can be viewed at these links.
PECO / Exelon Helps Beautify SLA!
Submitted by clehmann on Mon, 04/27/2009 - 13:00.
A big thank you to PECO / Exelon! On Friday, April 24, more than thirty volunteers from PECO / Exelon came to SLA and beautified the school alongside SLA students! The volunteers turned our drama studio into a true "Black Box" theater, hung cork-boards, repainted walls, hung corner-guards and painted a mural designed by SLA sophomore Melissa Buchanico!
Thank you to PECO Vice-President Jeff Gordon and volunteer coordinator April Collins for coordinating the event, and congratulations to SLA teacher Matt VanKouwenberg for organizing the event on SLA's end!
