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The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

Research Revelations Episode 8: Modeling airway networks for lung cancer detection with Juliana Li

Research Revelations Episode 8: Modeling airway networks for lung cancer detection with Juliana Li

by Elizabeth Zhang and Chelsea Xie February 2, 2025

This is the eighth installment of Research Revelations: Conversations with Our Student Researchers, a podcast where Aquila staff members talk to student researchers about their projects and research goals....

Physics teacher Mark Brada speaks to Astronomy Club president Eric Dong (11) about his experiences as academic and career journey in engineering. Astronomy Club hosted the event as part of the A Space for Space speaker series.

Astronomy Club hosts speaker event about science career paths

by Jonathan Szeto and Charlie Wang February 1, 2025

Physics teacher Mark Brada discussed his academic journey and engineering career in an Astronomy Club event as part of the A Space for Space speaker series on Jan. 24.  Astronomy Club president Eric...

Chess engines play at a level higher than any human being alive by sifting through millions of possible moves with efficient algorithms and massive processing power. Players nowadays use engines to analyze complex positions, develop new openings, and improve their own skill.

Checkmate by code

by Victor Gong and Mihir Kotbagi February 1, 2025

64 squares, two sides and more moves than atoms in the observable universe. Before 1990, most chess experts felt that it was not possible to create a machine that could match the creativity and imagination...

Three seniors Andrew Liang, Aarush Vailaya and Varun Thvar were named Regeneron STS Scholars on Jan. 8. They were chosen among the top 300 students in the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search.

Q&A with Harker’s Regeneron STS Scholars

by Jonathan Szeto and Nathan Yee January 26, 2025

These Q&As were conducted with seniors Andrew Liang, Varun Thvar and Aarush Vailaya, who were selected as top 300 scholars in the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search.  Andrew Liang Q:...

Sophomore Tanisha Vaish converses with open lab facilitator Zane Moore. Dr. Moore offers suggestions and helps students in the open lab with their  research projects.

Driving self-directed science

by Ashley Mo, STEM Editor January 24, 2025

During a typical school day, physics and science research teacher Chris Spenner’s classroom is a hub of quiet concentration, home to the Research Methods or Advanced Research classes. But when the bell...

Collaborative app spreads sustainability through textbook sharing

Collaborative app spreads sustainability through textbook sharing

by Vivek Moorjani and Lily Peng January 15, 2025

Green Team and HarkerDev collaborated to develop Swap N’ Share, a textbook sharing app for students that will launch beta testing in January. To encourage student participation and feedback, the...

Research Revelations Episode 7: Macaque monkey neuroscience with Cyrus Ghane

Research Revelations Episode 7: Macaque monkey neuroscience with Cyrus Ghane

by Jonathan Szeto and Nathan Yee January 11, 2025

This is the seventh installment of Research Revelations: Conversations with Our Student Researchers, a podcast where Aquila staff members talk to student researchers about their projects and research goals....

As co-director of HackDuke, a student-run organization that organizes hackathons, Wang began noticing common problems that arose within clubs, like lack of cohesion between club members and plans. He decided to create Pingr to reimagine club communication.

Blooming from the STEM: Scaling meaningful conversations

by Ashley Mo and Emma Milner January 10, 2025

Planning a club event often turns into a chaotic process, from organizing promotional outreach to managing participant lists. At the same time, communication easily becomes lost in the myriad of group...

Foodborne illnesses threaten public health in California

Foodborne illnesses threaten public health in California

by Ashley Mo and Claire Tian January 8, 2025

In today’s uncertain landscape of public health, foodborne illnesses remain a prominent issue, with outbreaks of salmonella, E. coli and listeria appearing across the nation. These pathogens often...

Computer science teacher Anu Datar emphasizes the importance of self-compassion when navigating one's personal and professional lives. "I have learned that I am my worst and harshest critic," Datar said. "I don't think anybody else has the same expectations from me that I set on myself.”

Women in STEM club teacher panel highlights balance and self-acceptance

by Eva Cheng, Co-Sports Editor December 7, 2024

Math teacher Caren Furtado, physics teacher Miriam Allersma, computer science teacher Anu Datar and chemistry teacher Ran Tao spoke about their journeys through their respective fields at a Women in STEM...

Researchers are discouraged to publish negative results
because these findings are often considered less impactful and undervalued by journals. Over 85% of published papers arrive at hypothesis-affirming conclusions.

Highlighting the positives in negative results

by Jonathan Xue and Isabella Lo November 23, 2024

Science is rife with failure. The scientific method dictates that researchers should observe, hypothesize and experiment often, revisiting and revising the process each time unexpected results arise. Yet...

Nichols Hall features several energy-saving innovations like solar panels and climate control systems designed to reduce energy use. Classroom lights also automatically turn off when not in use.

Global Reset: Education meets environment

by Lily Shi and Jonathan Szeto November 22, 2024

With a 1.7-acre AstroTurf field, 11 buildings, 79 classrooms and labs, the upper school campus offers numerous facilities for student academic exploration and athletic training. Harker’s facilities consume...

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