U-Hi students share science knowledge
Fourth-grade students at Sunrise Elementary got a glimpse of high school lab science.
Earlier this month, the fourth-grade classes viewed science lab stations on motion, force and velocity at University High School. One group, 25 students of teacher Tori Hendricks, spent an hour performing experiments, assisted by high school students.
“They had six to seven high school students from advanced science classes who helped, and they were passionate about science and working with our elementary kids,” Hendricks said.
“It was such a beneficial field trip.”
This was the first time Sunrise Elementary students have been invited to explore lab science at U-Hi.
“We hope the chance to experience hands-on science experiments in a high school lab helped reinforce student learning,” added Ken Matheison, University High science teacher and father of one of the visiting fourth-grade students.
“Each group of students visited individual lab stations and got a chance to use some of the equipment, including motion and force sensors. We had some experienced high school students on hand to help the younger students.”
The elementary students visited four to six lab stations set up with different experiments. Each station was marked with signs such as “Push me pull you – Newton’s 3rd Law” and “Crash Test Dummies – Newton’s 1st Law.” Although Sunrise Elementary students do some hands-on learning in their own classroom, they were actively engaged in science experiments while visiting a lab environment.
Other fourth-grade Sunrise classes led by teachers Jody Froehle, Linda Stumbough and Tamara Olsen also visited U-Hi the week following Hendricks’ class.
Open house planned at WV City School
West Valley City School will hold an open house on March 8 for families of students interested in attending next year.
City School, in the West Valley School District, offers an alternative learning environment for grades fifth through eighth with academics and relevant learning.
“We use a project-based approach to teaching and learning,” said Tom Moore, City School principal. “During the last hour of each day, students run a virtual city. They apply, interview and obtain a job. They will receive a weekly paycheck (in city dollars), balance a checkbook, pay tuition and buy and sell things. Most importantly, students apply their academic learning while having fun.”
Each student meets daily with a mentor teacher in “Team.” Students can explore a variety of interests during the first hour of each day, known as flex time, when students can take chorus, band, strings and Spanish among other subjects. The academic day includes in-depth study in math, science, language arts and history.
The open house is scheduled for 6 p.m. on March 8. The event includes a tour and answering of questions. The school’s teachers, some parents and students will be on hand to talk about City School. People can sign up at that time for interviews with staff to take place during the last two weeks of March.
For more information, call the school at 921-2836.
Liberty High students participate in FBLA
Fourteen members of the Liberty High School Future Business Leaders of America chapter attended the Feb. 7 Northeast Region Winter Conference. The conference was held at Faith Bible Church in Spokane.
This conference qualifies students to compete at the State Leadership Conference in Spokane. Liberty student Oscar Foster, Washington State Vice President Northeast Region, presided over the conference with more than 500 area students and advisers.
The Liberty students attending the conference included: Keith Jones, Jordan Gerard, Jilian Gerard, Nick Stanifer, Justin Raugust, Laura Davis, Brian Mumby, Heidi Lasz, Shawn Hennessey, Kelly Hennessey, Caitlin Jeske, Chelsea Crosby and Morgan Cressey.
Davis placed fifth in Business Calculations and Stanifer placed fifth in Business Math.