Dr. Martina Kroll, Head of Department

The goal of the science curriculum at Cistercian is two-fold: to provide all students with a fundamental understanding of the physical world and to train them in the use of the scientific method. The four major areas of science are investigated in Middle School and again in Upper School through the required coursework, and various elective classes offered each year in Upper School. In all classes, inquiry activities, laboratory work, computer use, and teacher presentations provide students with various tools to facilitate learning.

Form I Earth Science introduces students to processes used in scientific study while they learn about fundamental forces that shape planet earth and the universe.  In Form II, life science capitalizes on the boys’ natural curiosity. It introduces cells as the building blocks of living things and an overview of the organisms that thrive in the world around us. In Forms III and IV, basic principles of physics and chemistry are presented through investigations, experiments, and various projects.  Students develop concepts of things they cannot see by building and using models of the smallest matter particles, along with computer simulations. Mathematical formulas and graphical analysis demonstrate and analyze relationships between variables.

Computer Science, introduced in first and second forms, builds a foundation for the subsequent use of computers throughout the curriculum. In Form I, students learn the principles of computer programming using the Scratch project from MIT. In Form II, they apply these principles to programming using the Python language, a tool they can use throughout the rest of their time at Cistercian and on into college. Computer applications are also introduced in Form I. Upon entering Upper School, students have worked extensively with Word and Powerpoint and have been introduced to Excel.

In Upper School, students study one year of Biology (Form V),  Physics (Form VI), and Chemistry (Form VII). Students must take a second, college-level course in one of these three disciplines in Form VIII. At each level, laboratory work is combined with the teaching of scientific theory and work on projects. The accelerated nature of the mathematics curriculum allows for a strong emphasis on using appropriate mathematical analysis in each course.

Science Department Faculty

Mr. Greg Graham

Mr. Greg Graham

Phone: (469) 499-5419

MTh University of Dallas, Irving, TX.
BS Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.


Director of Technology;
Head of Computer Department;
Computer (Form II);
Technology Senior Seminar;
Computer Electives.

Fr. Christopher Kalan , O.Cist.

Fr. Christopher Kalan , O.Cist.

Phone: (469) 499-5408

MS Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
BS University of Dallas, Irving, TX.


Plant Manager;
Computer (Form I);
Assistant to Director of Technology.

Dr. Martina Kroll

Dr. Martina Kroll

Phone: (469) 499-5434

MD, PhD University Ruperto Carola, Heidelberg, Germany.

Head of Science Department;
Science (Form II);
Chemistry II (Form VIII)
Robotics Sponsor.

Dr. Andrejs Krumins

Dr. Andrejs Krumins

Phone: 469-499-5425

PhD University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, Houston, TX.
BS Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.


Science (Forms V, VIII);
Science Senior Seminar;
Assistant Coach Junior Varsity Soccer.

Fr. Philip Neri Lastimosa , O.Cist.

Fr. Philip Neri Lastimosa , O.Cist.

Class of 2000

Phone: (469) 499-5457

MAT University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX.
MA University of Dallas, Irving, TX.
BS Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA.


Head of Middle School;
Form Master (Form V);
Science (Form VI);
Physics (Form VI).

Mr. Timothy Parker

Mr. Timothy Parker

Class of 1990

Phone: (469) 499-5436

MS University of North Texas, Denton, TX.
BA Austin College, Sherman, TX.


Director of Facilities;
Form Master (Form I);
Science (Form I).

Fr. Mark Ripperger , O.Cist.

Fr. Mark Ripperger , O.Cist.

Phone: (469) 499-5430

MAT University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX.
MTh, BA University of Dallas, Irving, TX.


Computer Network Manager;
Science (Form III);
FIRST Robotics Coach/Mentor.

Br. Barnabas Robertson , O. Cist.

Br. Barnabas Robertson , O. Cist.

Phone: (972) 438-2044-5231

MS Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
BS Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL.


Physics II (Form VIII).

Mr. Aaron West

Mr. Aaron West

Phone: (469) 499-5437

MS, BS University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX.

Science (Forms IV, VII);