School News Briefs
St. Johns’ Launches Esports Teams St. Johns was proud this year to launch a new esports program for Middle and Upper School students. Esports, or electronic sports, are a fast-growing form of video game competition. “Many high school, collegiate, and professional teams are forming both nationwide and globally,” said esports coach (and band director) Michael Warren.“Some colleges are even offering scholarships for esports players.” St. Johns hosts two teams, one for Middle School students, called Kopis, which has 16 Spartan members and offers games including SuperSmashBros, Minecraft, Rocket League, and Mario Kart. The Upper School team, Xiphos, has 5 members and predominantly features Rocket League.
Upper School News Students Study Biotechnology This spring, Honors Biology students were asked to take on the role of healthcare providers in a simulated patient diagnosis exercise. See if this sounds familiar—the hypothetical was that a new virus is spreading across the globe. Four patients have just arrived at the students’ clinic complaining of flu-like symptoms. Are they suffering from a typical case of seasonal flu or the new and dangerous novel influenza RNA virus that, through a mutation, recently jumped from cattle into the human population? By using molecular techniques students were able to determine which viruses infected the patients and arrive at conclusive diagnoses. Students learned how to use micropipettes, PCR, and gel electrophoresis—the same techniques currently used to detect COVID-19—and to diagnose hard-to-distinguish infections. “We concluded our biotechnology unit with a research project in which the students were asked to present a real-world example where biotechnology tools were used in healthcare, forensics, paternity, cloning, GMOs, or any other applications,” said Dr. Judibelle Román. Disclaimer: no pathogenic materials were used. The experimental protocol engaged students in a simulated patient diagnosis exercise.
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S T. J O H N S C O U N T R Y D AY S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
SUMMER 2021
“I came up with the idea of creating an esports team after realizing how the pandemic has and continues to affect our student body,” said Mr. Warren. “The kids were losing most of the ways they connect with each other. I was fearful that we would enter lockdown and distance learning again but thought that at least esports could continue in that situation. And a majority of students currently play video games, so why not come together to try to earn prizes and scholarship money?” With or without scholarship money, the program seems to be on a fast track for growth. Warren anticipates having more space available on campus next year, which will allow the esports teams to practice both during and after school.
