10 Questions with Marquise Williams

Watch Ms. Fried interview Junior Marquise Williams about his dance and rap performances across DC.

Celebrating Our Roots

On Saturday, February 5^th, students, faculty, staff, and the community came together at THEARC to celebrate Black History Month. The event focused on sharing African culture through literature, poetry, song and dance. Many of TMA’s students performed and volunteered to help make it a tremendous success! Thank you to THEARC for hosting this event, Ms. Shabazz and Ms. Ogunaike for organizing the wonderful event, and to all of the participants and volunteers!

Be sure to check-out the photos on the slide show from the event!

University of Maryland Physics Visits TMA

A special report by Thurgood Marshall Academy Physics teacher Kena Allison:

On Friday, February 4, University of Maryland physicists Luis Orozco and Jeff Grover spoke to TMA physics students about waves, light, and the application of light to historical and modern technology. Dr. Orozco shared his work with lasers to slow atoms and explained how applying this to fields like telecommunication helps our cell phones and iPods become smaller and faster.

Additionally, students were provided with demonstration kits that allowed them to explore lenses and the polarization of light. Students were engaged and impressed to learn how polarization applies to sunglasses and transition lenses. They were equally intrigued by their use of magnified lenses to create a telescope that allowed them to read a sign with small print on the far end of the basketball court from the stage.



Students were impressed, calling the presentation “awesome.” They were also wowed by the physicists themselves; “Luis’s explanation of how light travels in waves was very detailed and comprehensive.” Another student added, “I appreciate the speakers speaking to us like we were young adults or college students,” and “they showed us how physics applied to everyday life…I loved the interactive kits.”

Luis and Jeff not only generously donated their time and expertise, but also gave the kits to each student and a Galileoscope (model of Galileo’s telescope) to the school. Luis ended the event by reminding students that science is changing the world. He encouraged them to always stay informed about science, even if they pursue careers in other areas.

TMA hopes to work with the duo again during the electricity unit.

Extra! Extra! Mentor Day Goes to the Newseum!

Saturday, February 5^th, students and mentors ate a hearty breakfast and then boarded buses to the Newseum! At the Newseum, mentees and mentors looked at exhibits and participated in interactive activities like being a reporter at the steps of the Capitol. The most popular exhibits were those about Hurricane Katrina and the gallery of Pulitzer Prize winning photos. While at the Newseum, everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch. Before anyone was ready it was time to leave. The next mentor day is March 5^th and we cannot wait!

Vote for TMA's Resident Poet John Tucker!

Senior John Tucker is a finalist in the DC-Capital Stars Talent Competition. Only the top ten contestants with the most votes will perform at the DC-CAP Gala on Monday, March 28. See a video of John preforming and vote for him here!

Preparation Makes Perfection!

Post by Alyza Weinberg
Not even the snowy weather could stop 9^th graders from boarding buses and heading to Hogan Lovells, Latham & Watkins and Foley & Lardner on January 28th. Upon arrival at the firms, students sat down and learned about advocacy. Students participated in a number of exercises aimed at teaching students that the most important part of an argument is the preparation beforehand. Students learned what steps they should take to prepare an argument. They had to visualize and think about their opponents’ perspective and think about how they would counter their arguments. Students prepared different scenarios and arguments. In one scenario, ‘Morgan’ was trying to convince her parents to allow her a later curfew like her older sibling. In another case, students were stakeholders at a new school, Johnny Cochrane Public Charter High School. They had to play the role of students, teachers and parents articulating their opinions about school uniforms. Students and Volunteer Lawyers both had a great time.

A huge thank you to all the chaperones, Law Day Coordinators and Volunteer Teachers for making Law Day run so smoothly!