Home » 2017
Yearly Archives: 2017
Neuroscience and Society: The Meditating Brain (9/28/17)
Below is an announcement about the next event in the ongoing neuroscience series, Neuroscience and Society, sponsored by the AAAS and the Dana Foundation. STARS students are invited to go as an extracurricular STEM opportunity. This is a free, catered event hosted down the street from the Spy Museum at the AAAS Headquarters in D.C. Register here:
Speakers
Sara Lazar, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Psychology
Harvard Medical School
Andrew B. Newberg, M.D
Director of Research, Marcus Institute of Integrative Health
Thomas Jefferson University and Hospital
Chris Streeter, M.D.
Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Neurology
Boston University School of Medicine
“From contemplation to prayer, forms of meditation exist in every society. Now, using up-to-date technologies, these ancient practices are being increasingly studied by neurologists. Although learning to meditate—to turn off all distractions—is no easy task, the advertised benefits claim it to be worthwhile. Such alleged benefits include the “calming” of neurotransmitters, beating addiction, and even building a bigger brain. Published studies argue that meditation can produce structural alterations in the brain and may even slow the progress of certain age-related atrophy. Similarly, some yoga advocates claim that the practice, which is explored as a treatment for major depressive disorders, expands mental faculties. Further, prayer, according to the Huffington Post, can help dissuade impulsive actions. Neuroimaging technologies are revealing changes in blood flow to areas of the brain, indicating more activity. This program will explore the neurological bases of these claims, if any, by explaining how the mind and body talk with one another during the acts of meditation, yoga, and prayer. ”
Location
STEM Lecture Series: Congressional Neuroscience Caucus Briefing
Below is a new STARS STEM extra curricular opportunity:
HOMEWORK WARS: Help! Educational Seminar
September 21, 2017 – 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. RSVP Online Form
Help for your STRUGGLING STUDENTS and the HOMEWORK WARS that disrupt your homeschool. You are invited to this important event sponsored by the Springfield Teaching and Resource Services (STARS).
Veteran homeschool parents will share their experiences overcoming educational challenges due to visual and auditory processing delay, problems with ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia, Autism, Asperger’s and learning styles that are problematic in the classroom environment.
We also will have Dr. Chris Ogilvie discuss the role of nutrition in the health and feeding of the mind of the struggling learner. https://integrativehealthcenterofvirginia.com
Chuck Hinshaw, COVT will discuss visual processing and the importance of the eyes working together with the brain for learning. http://www.virginiavisiontherapycenter.com
Don Hollenbeck from Learning RX will discuss the value cognitive skills training and how it can help the brain to think, read, learn, remember, and pay attention better. http://www.learningrx.com/fairfax/
*Tentative*: Al Nestor will share his wisdom with us on how to develop well-rounded, healthy adults from his many years of counseling. http://franconiafamily.com/about.html
And much more!
Where: Springfield Church of Christ, 7512 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA 22150.
Please RSVP through this form below and/or email nova.starsloveslearning@gmail.com.
Please invite your friends and share this post on social media!
Fill out this online form to RSVP.
NEW CLASS: Intro to Circuits and Programming (Python)
Teacher: Mr. Neil Jacob Thursdays 11-12:30pm
Tuition: $285 (one semester long), $10 supply fee
This class is for 6th grade and above. This is a once a week, one semester course offered once during the school year (Spring semester). It is a hands on, project based course with minimal work outside the classroom. This course is an introduction to basic electrical engineering and computer programming principles, taught with Arduino. Students will learn the basics of electrical current, electrical elements, and how to program the Arduino with C as a control unit for a variety of tasks ranging from lighting up LEDs to detecting water levels. Parents are welcome to sit in on the class.
Prerequisites: No Algebra 1 is required, but a computer is required for the class.
Materials: Students must purchase a kit that will be used during the class. There is a $10 supply fee. Further questions about the content of the class can be addressed to njacob@gmu.edu, while questions about the time or tuition should go to nova.starsloveslearning@gmail.com
SPIRE: Cross Country Running
SPIRE Running: Cross country – (Springfield) – Join Spire Running in our 16th season of running. This cross country team is open for all junior high and high school homeschool students. Practices are held on Tuesday (right at STARS!), as well as Thursday afternoons and Saturday morning at Burke Lake. We compete at meets held throughout the area. The season begins at the end of August and runs through October. For more information and registration contact Robin at spirerunning@gmail.com.
Extracurricular Opportunity: Neurotechnology: Bridging the Gap between Mind and Machine
The electro-chemical pulses of neurons and the digital ones and zeros of computers both convey information, but in very different ways. DARPA’s innovations in neurotechnology are opening the possibility of real-time, seamless translation between our brains and our machines and devices-in limited fashion for now, but in ways that seem destined to change the way we solve complex problems and transform how we live, work, and engage with each other and with the world. Dr. Justin C. Sanchez will discuss DARPA’s current investments in neural interfaces and related technologies, laying out the ground truth of what is currently possible, explaining how neurotechnology can be applied to national security, sharing visions of what people might accomplish with their brains in a symbiotic future, and challenging audience members to begin thinking about the ethical, legal, and policy issues that emerging neurotechnologies are sure to raise.
Spring Open House
STARS will be hosting our Spring Open House on Tuesday, May 9 from 7:00-8:30 pm at the Springfield Church of Christ. Please come out and learn about our program, meet our tutors, and meet some of our families.
STARS Graduation 2017
STARS will be celebrating the graduation of four of our students June 3, 2017, at 2:00 P.M. Graduation will be held in the Sanctuary of the Springfield Church of Christ (7512 Old Keene Mill Rd, Springfield, VA). All family members, friends, and STARS families are invited. There will be a short reception in the Fellowship Hall afterward.
PROM 2017
STARS will be hosting the City of STARS Prom for all High School Homeschoolers May 20, 2017, from 7:00-11:30 P.M. Location is the Knights of Columbus Hall, 8592 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA. Invite your friends and come enjoy a night you will never forget.
Prom Mixer
Come learn some new Swing Dance steps from professional instructors at the Mixer on May 4, 2017, from 7:00 – 9:00 P.M. Only $10 (cash) at the door. Springfield Church of Christ, 7512 Old Keene Mill Rd, Springfield, VA. All High School Homeschoolers welcome, so invite several friends.