Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Fall 2015 | Page 12

In The Classroom
Jessica Cardosi teaches biochemistry in new laboratory
Now that the ribbon has been cut to open the new STEM
Center in September, what is happening in the new building?
Honors Biology faculty Jessica Cardosi knew during her
junior year of high school that she wanted to become a science
teacher. Now she’s leading Thornton students through their
first experiment in biochemistry.
“I feel incredibly lucky to be in one of the new STEM
laboratories—it’s a beautiful, large, and modern room. Students
are currently using indicators to detect the presence of organic
macromolecules in various foods. The goal is for students
to make and test predictions about which foods contain the
compounds we have been learning about in class. Labs are
a great way to make abstract concepts more concrete. Each
student has their own iPad and I have my students use them
every day. I project my own iPad or laptop screen to the
Apple TV so students can follow along with me. The new
lab furniture is also on wheels, so the room can be easily
reconfigured for different work stations, when necessary.
“There are so many different science course offerings at
Thornton that allow students to explore all of the disciplines.
The teachers are enthusiastic and generous. It’s awesome to be
a part of such a supportive group of colleagues who genuinely
care about the education and wellbeing of their students.”

Thornton Academy was awarded
a $50,000 matching grant from
The Edward K