Grauer Science Students Receive Top Global Award

Online, June 24, 2011 (Newswire.com) - The Grauer School Destination ImagiNation (DI) Team comprised of Michael Burton ('12), Alex Guy ('12), Charlotte Burton ('13) and Alex Klopak won an Outstanding Award in the Dynamic Network Project Outreach, Secondary Level Category at the 2011 annual world championships held in May in Knoxville, TN. The team's topic "A Really Obscure Word" achieved the highest score internationally in the category of Dynamic Network, Secondary Level. This Challenge had two components: Primarily, the team designed and carried out a project to address a community need and integrated a social network. Secondarily, the team showcased its project with an album and a presentation, as well as completing an Instant Challenge. The focus of the project revolved around learning, civic responsibility, social science, partnerships, fundraising, progress monitoring, evaluation and teamwork.

According to Grauer School Principal Dana Abplanalp-Diggs, "A comprehensive evaluation by researchers at the University of Virginia provides evidence that students participating in team-based problem solving competitions with DI exhibit stronger skills than non-DI students in applying critical and creative thinking to reach innovative solutions to complicated challenges. We are extraordinarily proud of our team from The Grauer School for achieving this highest, world-level honor ---- it exemplifies the school's emphasis toward innovative excellence and inventive thinking."

The Grauer School is a UNESCO associated, independent grades 6 -12 college preparatory school accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. It is renowned for its expeditionary learning and Socratic methods, enabling the school to provide the most balanced pathway to top colleges available. Summer School enrollment is currently open for UC-approved classes and enrichment camps taking place from June 20 through July 29, 2011. To learn more about The Grauer School experience or Summer School, visit www.grauerschool.com or call 760/944-6777.