Lego projects show fun side of math, science
Kids around East Valley have started calling Nancy Ripplinger the Lego Lady.
A self-proclaimed Lego nut, along with her son Nicolai, Ripplinger doesn’t mind the title because she wants to offer after-school programs that use the toy building pieces to teach students math, science and technology.
“I want to get these young kids liking math and science in a fun way, where they’re playing with gears, pulleys, battery boxes, robotics,” said Ripplinger, who is a computer engineer. She charges about $10 per session registration fee for the activity to cover her expenses for Lego books and materials.
This week, Ripplinger wrapped up a four-session Crazy Action Contraptions program for students from Continuous Curriculum and Skyview Elementary schools. Students from second to fourth grades built balloon-powered rocket cars and a coat hanger daredevil suspended on a string.
Nine boys were building a project Wednesday called the Kentucky Do-Nothing, which really did something if built correctly.
Ripplinger said she has had girls join previous sessions, including seven for one this past summer. She recruits female students and often relies on East Valley High School student Karen Stern as her assistant.
“We build all these different contraptions, like this 9-foot rubber band racer, and then we have races,” Ripplinger said. “We’re learning about friction, tension, torque. We do the balloon-powered rocket car, and if you don’t do it right, it doesn’t run correctly.”
Students Adam Divens and Chase Naccarato, both 8, worked as a team on the Kentucky Do-Nothing.
“It’s supposed to go side-to-side, and at first it didn’t work,” said Chase. “But we fixed it. I think we made it too high, so we changed it and made it just right.”
Adam gave positive reviews to the Lego program. “I like it because you have to think to get it right and if you don’t get it right, you can’t win the competition.”
Added Chase, “You just build what the book says and, if you mess up, you can rebuild it.”
Ripplinger plans to begin offering sessions at East Farms and Otis Orchards elementary schools.
She offers three levels of Lego after-school sessions: Lego Crazy Action Contraptions, Simple and Motorized Battery-Driven Machines and Lego Mindstorm Robotics that includes computer programming of robot motion. For more information, contact Ripplinger with Vision Technology at 994-8119.
Pizza prevails, salad trails
Freeman students have voted for the most palatable candidate this election year.
Last Friday, about 600 K-8 Freeman students cast ballots at polling booths borrowed from Spokane County and set up in the school’s entry. Among their choices were candidates Heddi Spaghetti, Rocco Taco, Pete Pizza, Ricky Chicken or Sally Salad.
The students sampled each lunch item in September. All follow dietary requirements such as having 30 percent or less fat and nutritional sides such as fruits and vegetables.
In the end, the pizza won, although Sally Salad and Ricky Chicken got the next highest votes.
“The School Nutrition Association is doing this across the country, to vote for your favorite school lunch,” said Raeann Ducar, Freeman’s nutrition services supervisor. “The goal is to find popular items for kids but also ones that are healthy and follow nutritional guidelines.”
Sixth-grader Samantha Avey voted for Sally Salad, a chef salad with low-fat ranch dressing. “I thought it was the best because I liked all the things that came with it – the croutons, the cheese and hard-boiled eggs,” she said.
Added student Cheyanna Bruneau, “Lots of people voted for the salad because we’ve never had a salad like that before in school. It was fancy and healthy.”
However, a group of boys asked about their votes were all over the cheese pizza.
“I think Pete Pizza was the best tasting,” said Austin Rice.
Colin Ayers, a fifth-grader, gave other candidates a nod but went for the cheese and sauce.
“I liked some of the others, but Freeman’s pizza has a good taste,” he said. “I thought it was a good idea to vote because students have to know what all of them taste like before they decide.”
Parents, students can plan together
University High School parents and students can explore career and educational opportunities together on Wednesday. The school is hosting the Post-Secondary Planning Night Extravaganza from 6 to 9 p.m. for parents and students in grades 9 through 12.
The free event will begin with a Career Fair from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by various breakout sessions from 7 to 9 p.m. Participants will learn about graduation requirements, post-secondary options, Running Start and Skills Center programs and college entrance requirements. Breakout sessions include the college application process, financial aid, using the Web for research and senior portfolios.
University High Student Services is sponsoring the event. For more information, call 228-5246.
Bond supporters to hit streets
Next Saturday, more than 100 Central Valley parents, teachers, students and volunteers with the Kids First Campaign will be walking neighborhoods to seek support for a school district bond.
The Kids First Campaign Rally and District Walk will begin at 9:45 a.m. with members gathering near Sprague Avenue and Pines Road, then dividing into teams. The volunteers will walk neighborhoods across the district to briefly speak with residents and ask them to vote “yes.”
The Central Valley School Board is seeking voter approval for a $75.75 million construction bond on the Nov. 7 ballot to build two new schools, remodel three elementary schools and provide upgrades to six additional schools.