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Students Encounter the Art of Science

Ranney Introduces Students to the da Vinci Surgical Robotic System
In keeping with its promise of providing students with 21st century technology in an ever-changing world, Ranney School opened the doors of its RSPA Panther Hall to embrace the art of science through a surgical innovation known as the da Vinci Surgical Robotic System on April 26, 2011.

During a unique hands-on assembly, students, grades one through 12 experienced “surgical precision beyond the limits of the human hand.” Under guidance of Thoracic surgeon Dr. Richard Lazzaro from the prestigious Weill Cornell Medical Center of New York-Presbyterian Hospital (Ranney parent to Richard ’19 and Samantha Lazzaro ’22), and a team of engineers from Intuitive Surgical®, students witnessed and performed exercises using state-of-the-art tools designed to revolutionize surgical operations. While the da Vinci System does not completely replace the need for a surgeon, the medical breakthrough does allow doctors in New York or elsewhere to perform surgeries on patients in countries across the globe.

Although it was once believed that, “the bigger the surgery, the bigger the incision,” four interactive robotic arms used by the da Vinci Surgical System – inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, who designed and invented the first automated robot in 1495 – now enable surgeons to perform delicate and complex operations through a few tiny incisions with increased vision, dexterity and control. For videogame aficionado Reese Tolchin ’22, who enjoys playing Nintendo, manipulating the robot as she placed Jacks into a Petri dish came almost naturally. While one interactive robotic arm holds and positions a high resolution 3-D stereo endoscope, a second, third and fourth arm, controls high precision EndoWrist® instruments.

According to Head of School Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff, Ranney is one of few schools to witness this advanced technology, which has led to a 25 percent increase in cancer surgery survival rates (from 60 percent to 85 percent). “Using da Vinci confirmed my continuing desire to someday become a surgeon,” said Melissa Cantave ’12.


MS Students Advance to Round Two of Virtual Science Fair at National Level
In other science news, we congratulate Ranney School sixth graders Bret Silverstein and Anthony Moscato, who with help from Middle School earth science teacher Laurie Rozzo, advanced to round two of a National Association of Independent Schools’ (NAIS) Virtual Science Fair competition.

Anthony and Bret’s project on “Plant Growth and Sunlight,” which studied the effects of light on plant growth, is currently tied for fourth along with Canton Country Day School and the Walker School. The boys, along with other Ranney Middle School students, first presented their project at Ranney’s Virtual Science Fair on March 23rd.

During round two of the national competition, Anthony and Bret will be asked to submit answers to a question via the Internet no later than Thursday, April 28th. E-judges will then choose two championship teams (grades six through eight) to go on to compete at an international level with students from around the globe! Congratulations to Bret and Anthony for their achievement during Ranney’s first year of participation in this Virtual Science Competition! Final rankings will be available on Friday, April 29, 2011.
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Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society. 

We envision Ranney School as a nurturing learning community, in which families, faculty, alumni, and all of Ranney’s constituents collaborate to know and value every child, foster individual talents, sustain powerful connections between children and adults, and graduate resilient, globally-minded citizens.