The New Horizons Governor's School for Science and Technology (NHGS) is a magnet school located in Hampton, Virginia and directed by Vikki Whismer. Students of this school are chosen from the Gloucester, Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg-James City, and York County School Divisions.

Students attend the Governor's School during their Junior and Senior years. They take mathematics and science courses at the Governor's School in the morning or afternoon, depending on school division, and attend their home high schools for the remainder of their classes. Apart from its math and science courses, the Governor's School also offers Junior Research and Senior Mentorship classes. These classes are designed to expose students to areas they may not have had in their regular schools. Junior Research introduces NHGS juniors to research and the scientific process, skills that are invaluable later on in college environments. Senior Mentorship provides NHGS seniors with work experience in a specific field of science or technology.

Financial support for the school is provided by the participating school divisions and the Gifted Programs Office of the Virginia Department of Education.

Strand System

The New Horizons Governor's School for Science and Technology implements a strand system which allows students to select their preferred field of study when enrolling. Each strand is unique and involves different courses specific to the six fields of study.

Engineering Strand

The Engineering Strand involves an intense, rigorous study of fundamental principles of engineering and calculus-based physics. Students develop a passion for calculus and physics during their junior year. Building a robot, constructing a fuel cell, and then proceeding to on-line technology that studies air-bag deployment principles in automobiles are just a few of the engineering activities students experience in the course. The ideas of Maxwell and Hawking are studies during the senior year. Understanding the physics behind such inventions as the TV, computers, and magnetic resonance imaging technology round out the senior year. The junior Engineering teacher is Dr. Truong Le from the George Mason University.

Biological Science Strand

The Biological Science Strand provides insights into organic and inorganic chemistry in conjunction with cell and molecular biology by employing advanced technologies utilized in medicine, forensic science, and research labs. An advanced level understanding of biology and chemistry sets the stage for senior students to argue controversial topics concerning the environment. Analyze water quality and biodiversity during monthly sampling of a nearby pond. Extensive field work and laboratory analysis generates a nine-month database for a more comprehensive understanding of our local environment.

Visual Models in Popular Media Strand

The Visual Models in Popular Media Strand provides insight in popular models/actors in the media world. Students combine their love for films and nice pictures in studying the use of popular models. Using the power of the internet, analyze the effects of beautiful models on male hormone rate. Constructing a life-size cut out, meeting a model in LA, taking obsessive pictures, and working in a live picture shoot are just a few of the activities students experience in the course. The ideas of Marilyn Monroe and Jessica Alba are studies during the senior year. Understanding the beauty behind such beauties such as Alba and Watson round out the senior year.

Scientific Programming Strand

The Scientific Programming Strand combines the study of structured and object-oriented programming with applications in practical, non-calculus based, physics scenarios. The best of two worlds! Develop insight into applying computer programming techniques to real world situations. Physics topics include classical mechanics, fluid dynamics and thermodynamics. Using “calling functions” to study the speed of sound in objects and analyzing operator overloading are just a few of the unique approaches to master C/C++ in a Unix environment while learning physics! The second year course will include features of microprocessors and assembly language programming. Currently the course is taught by Bruce Chittenden, former VP of Engineering for Citrix.

Observational and Methodical Programming Strand

The Observational and Methodical Programming strand combines the study of object-oriented programming with applications in real world gaming, such as the use of the XBOX 360, PS3, and the Wii. Students will take apart these gaming systems in order to observe their functions, and in return, write programs using their respective programming languages! An advanced level of fun is required for these and work well in the strand's second year. The second year course will include professional gaming against true gamers. Students will be taught how to spam the shoot button as well as hack games. Extensive gaming work and trip to LA to watch a game development in action.

Advanced Literary and Analysis Strand

The Advanced Literary and Analysis strand combines the study of literature (both modern and historical) and the use of analysis. Students will study novels such as Harry Potter and S*** My Dad Says, then proceed to follow the rules of analysis to determine value and symbolism. An advanced level understanding of the English language which includes its vast vocabulary is required. A test will be given to incoming students that includes the memorization of over nine thousand complex English words. In the second year, students will write a novel and publish it. The novel must sell over one hundred thousand copies in order to achieve an A.

Junior Research Methodology and Ethics

The junior year research experience involves various aspects of research methodology, ethics and statistics, critical thinking skills, and scientific writing and communication skills. The class centers around a research project that each student is required to submit to the Tidewater Science Fair. This course is taught by Dr. Mary Patterson of the University of Minnesota.

Senior Mentorship

The senior year mentorship allows students to participate in a real-life work experience with professionals from a scientific area of the students' choosing. Final projects are presented to the local scientific and professional community as a culminating experience in May. The opportunity to work with a professional in research is an invaluable experience toward career pursuits.

Calculus

This class teaches both Calculus AB as well as Calculus BC and goes beyond the AP curriculum. Very difficult. Current teachers are Rimma Feygelson and Ann Chapman. All other maths dwarf the crazy difficulty of Calculus.

Notable Alumni

Maruchi Kim

Eric Swenson

Eric Swenson

Eric Leon Swenson was an American skateboard designer and magazine publisher.Born in San Francisco, Swenson was the chief skateboard designer for the Independent Truck Company which he co-founded with skateboard entrepreneur Fausto Vitello in 1978...

Blake Hyatt

Scott Butler

Student Life

New Horizon's Governor's School participates in a wide range of activities such as Blue Crab Bowl, FIRST Robotics Team, Odyssey of the Mind

Odyssey of the Mind

Odyssey of the Mind, often called OM , is a creative problem-solving competition involving students from kindergarten through college. Team members work together at length to solve a predefined problem ; and present their solution to the problem at a competition...

, Mathlete

Mathlete

A mathlete is a person who competes in mathematics competitions at any level or any age. The term is a portmanteau of the words math and athlete.Top mathletes in the United States compete on the AIME, USAMO, and ARML...

, Emma Watson Fan Club, Professional Quake Team, Recycling Club, and Scholastic Bowl. New this year is the Rap Club.

External links

• New Horizons Governor's School for Science and Technology