Wolcott College Prep, Chicago

Wolcott physics teacher Ryan Bowns-Kamphuis presented at the American Association of Physics Teachers Summer Meeting in Pasadena, July 19 to 22.

His session, Nurturing Physics Identity in the Physics First Classroom, argued that the work of building a student's identity as a physics person has to be approached differently in a 9th grade physics first setting than in a traditional 11th grade course, and shared strategies for nurturing that identity in students with learning differences.

While there, he also took part in a full day workshop on physics problem solving and reconnected with leaders of the STEP UP physics program, whom he has collaborated with over the past year.

YOU'RE INVITED: OPENING DAY COFFEE AND PASTRIES... AND SPIRIT SALE!
The Parent Association is inviting you to kick off the school year with a complimentary warm cup of coffee, fresh pastries, and great company! Join us after drop-off on Tuesday, August 25th, to connect with fellow Wolcott parents and start the day on a high note. The Wolcott Parents Association will also have Wolcott spirit wear for sale, which is perfect for showing your school pride while supporting PA programs.

When: Tuesday, August 25th, from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM
Where: Wolcott Courtyard, 524 N. Wolcott Ave
Hosted by: Wolcott Parent Association

This summer, Wolcott teacher Clare Nolan traded the classroom for the cockpit. She spent time at a teacher air camp, where she learned to fly a plane along with plenty of other hands-on lessons.

The camp exists to help educators bring more active, engaging learning back to their students, especially in STEM. Clare came home with new ideas, a few great stories, and firsthand proof that the best learning often happens when you are willing to try something new.

We are lucky to have teachers like Clare who keep learning right alongside our students.

Join Us: Family & Faculty Ice Cream Social
Sunday, August 30th from 3:00 to 5:00 PM in the Wolcott College Prep Courtyard (524 N Wolcott Avenue). Free to attend.

Our annual tradition is back. New and returning families, come by for sweet treats, catch up with faculty, and meet the people who make up our community. It's a relaxed afternoon to kick off the school year together.

We hope to see you there. Check your email to RSVP so we know to save you a scoop.

Some of our proudest moments happen when we get to see where a Wolcott education leads.
This week, two Wolcott faculty and staff members traveled to Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine to visit two of our own, Ashley '27 and August '28, who are both doing research there alongside faculty and graduate student teams.

Ashley is working in the Torres Lab, where she has used advanced microscopy and staining techniques to show that serotonin channels are present on the nuclear membrane of brain cells.
August is working in the Miller Lab, where she is training an AI model to predict how quickly viruses mutate. Her principal investigator has submitted her code for a patent.
Our thanks to the researchers who welcomed us and who are mentoring Ashley and August: Gonzalo Torres, PhD, Whelton Miller, PhD, Joanna Bakowska, PhD, Brian Powers, PhD, and Marisol Quiroz, BS, MS, along with the graduate students on their teams.

Congratulations, Ashley and August. We could not be prouder of the work you are doing.

Showing Up for Our Community
Service learning runs through all four years at Wolcott. Built into the Leadership Team program and our days of service, it combines real volunteer work, classroom instruction, and reflection. Students leave knowing their community is something they're responsible for, not just part of.

All summer, we're looking back at the highlights from 2025-2026. What was your Wolcott highlight this year?

TEDxWolcottCollegePrep
At TEDxWolcottCollegePrep in April, four students, Izzy, Cece, Ava, and Jonah, took the stage on the theme of gratitude. Getting up there to share something real:
wolcottcollegeprep.org/tedx2026

All summer, we're looking back at the highlights from 2025-2026. What was your Wolcott highlight this year?

The Class of 2026 earned over $3 million in annual merit scholarships. We could not be prouder.

All summer, we're looking back at the highlights from 2025-2026. What was your Wolcott highlight this year?