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At the end of last year, teachers and administrators came together in collaboration with the new Dean of Teaching and Learning, Mrs. Singh, to reinvigorate the curriculum for the 2014-2015 school year. The result? Eight brand new interdisciplinary courses, usually team-taught by two faculty members of different departments. This year I am enrolled in one of the new courses, Neuropsychology: Influences of the Brain on Behavior. It’s been one of the most interesting courses I’ve taken during my 13 years at Milton. (I’m a “lifer,” and have been at Milton since Kindergarten).
The class is taught by Ms. Chapin, a counselor, psychology teacher, and member of the history and social sciences department; and Dr. Richards, a member of the science department who earned her Ph.D. in neuroscience, and spent time working for the National Institute of Health. With each teacher leaning on their respective expertise in either psychology or neuroscience, the course seamlessly blends together the two topics into a complex and intriguing curriculum typically reserved for those in college or graduate school. Despite being a neuropsychology class, there’s definitely chemistry in the classroom: Ms. Chapin and Dr. Richards know each other well enough to finish each other’s sentences. We recently wrapped up a month-long unit on basic neuroanatomy, learning about different lobes of the brain, discussing neurotransmitters, and even dissecting a sheep’s brain in the lab. We are now moving onto a more psychology-focused curriculum, as we begin to look at the biological basis of behavior. So far, we have looked at the interface between neurotransmitters and mental health, looking specifically at depression and schizophrenia. It’s awesome to be a part of the first generation of neuropsychologists at Milton, trying something new and paving the way for future students.
Hi, and thanks for visiting us! We’re the leaders of Milton’s Orange and Blue Key (OBK) Society. OBK is the group of about 160 students who give tours to students and families visiting our campus. We work closely with the admission office to make sure you get a good sense of what it’s like to be a student at Milton. We hope that you’ll visit us in person, and until then, enjoy this “insider’s” view of the School we love.
