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Math and Science

2 students in chemistry class looking at green liquid in a beaker

Arts, math, and science are intimately intertwined—and the Math and Science department at Arts Academy helps students find connections among the three. Our courses help students appreciate the wonders of nature, find the meaning behind numbers, and think critically about the way math and science shape society.

We are grateful to be supported by an endowment from the R.B. Annis Educational Foundation. Their generous support has allowed us to innovate the use of technology in the classroom and expand our number of speakers and collaborations. This also allows our faculty to attend regional and national conferences to continue honing their teaching skills and expertise. The endowment has also made more field trips possible, including an annual camping trip.

Mary Ellen Newport

The arts are fully integrated into our STEAM (or STEM with the arts) lessons, projects, and assessments. It is both fun and challenging to teach students who are so creative. Our math and sciences classes approach science and art from an interdisciplinary perspective, weaving creativity, reflection, and solid experiential learning into a truly unique curriculum.

Mary Ellen Newport, director of the R.B. Annis Math and Science Division

Math and Science Departments

The Mathematics Department offers a curriculum with topics, course content, instructional emphasis, and teaching methods that meet standards of the new century. Programs such as Fathom, EquatIO, and Geometers’ Sketchpad are used extensively and each student will need to bring his or her laptop and graphing calculator to all math classes. The department will provide other technology tools such as iPads and CBRs as needed. The curriculum emphasizes experimental and exploratory problem solving and communication of mathematical ideas verbally and in writing. Students create and use graphs of data and functions to develop mathematical skills, to reason through problems, and to understand complex relationships. During evening tutorials, in which students may meet with instructors on an individual basis, an opportunity is provided for extra assistance, independent projects, and/or laboratory work.

Core Curriculum

The Science Department offers students a rigorous, college preparatory curriculum with small classes and well-equipped laboratory facilities. The Academy's 1200 acres of woods and lakeshore provide an exceptional laboratory of coursework in the natural sciences. During evening tutorials, in which students may meet with instructors on an individual basis, an opportunity is provided for extra assistance, independent projects, and/or laboratory work.

Core Curriculum

View Full Course Catalog

Meet Our Faculty

Our Math and Science instructors include speakers, writers, evolutionary biologists, former National Park Service employees, and more. They love to see the different ways in which students approach math and science with creativity, curiosity, and awe.

Mary Ellen Newport

Mary Ellen A. Newport, Ph.D.

Director of the R.B. Annis Department of Math & Science Division; Instructor of Ecology & Advanced Biology

231.276.4766 231.276.4766 maryellen.newport@interlochen.org
Rebecca Heldreth

Becca Heldreth

Instructor of Mathematics

231.276.4706 231.276.4706 rebecca.heldreth@interlochen.org
Sarah Merwin

Sarah Merwin

Instructor of Mathematics

231.276.7200 231.276.7200 sarah.merwin@interlochen.org
Hannah Reyes

Hannah Reyes

Instructor of Science, Biology and Ecology

231.276.4767 231.276.4767 hannah.reyes@interlochen.org
Marty Schnepp

Marty Schnepp

Instructor of Mathematics

marty.schnepp@interlochen.org
Katie_Wibby_400X600

Katie Wibby

Instructor of Chemistry

231.276.4763 231.276.4763 wibbykj@interlochen.org