South Brunswick Middle School
Bolivia Elementary
Supply Elementary
South
Columbus High School
South Brunswick Middle School - Students won trophies and
medals at several state competitions with their work on fuel cell technology.
The car is fueled by distilled water! (Standing l-r) Josh Pittman, Russ
Trella, Jordan Jones, Teacher Frank Blackmon. (Seated l-r) Dmitrius Booker,
Kyle Mulligan, Bobby Clemmons, Peter lloyd, Ashley Neal.
South
Brunswick Middle School
went beyond using the materials to learn in the classroom.They investigated
“Alternative Transportation” by experimenting with motors, gears, wheels,
solar cells, meters, batteries and more to build hydrogen fuel cell and
solar-powered cars. Throughout the projects the students followed sound
scientific procedures, testing various designs and materials and carefully
logging all data.
Next they entered the “cars” in a series of competitive events, winning trophies and medals all across the state.The team came in 3rd overall in NC and second in the Quiz Bowl at the statewide “Students Fueling the Future” competition on May 1.They also competed and won several awards in different categories at the State Technology Student Association competition in Raleigh.
Their hydrogen fuel cell car actually runs on distilled water.The fuel cell separates water from the intake chamber into hydrogen and oxygen.It further separates the particles into positive or negative charges, creating a difference of potential, or electric voltage.As it goes into the engine it gets recombined and the car uses the hydrogen as fuel.That’s the simple explanation, but Mr. Blackmon’s students learned a lot more about the technology.The 1/24-scale model they built traveled at about 2 mph, at full size that would be 48 mph .Actual prototypes of fuel cell powered autos have reached 100 mph at a capacity of 400 miles .These projects, from invention to testing and finally competing, gave students a solid experience in the excitement of scientific discovery, as well as the detailed and sometimes tedious path to success
5th Grade entrepreneurs gather with teachers at Small Business day at Bolivia Elementary. Businessman David Boynton of "Bookmarks 'R' Us" describes his merchandise to potential customer Lynn Caton.
Over at Bolivia Elementary, fifth graders got the chance to create their own business, complete with market research, planning, budgeting, production, advertising and sales. Thanks to the Bright Ideas grant, teacher Meg Dingwall was able to purchase the supplies for the young entrepreneurs. Great creativity was needed, as each team was limited to budget of just $12 for all costs.The students had to first consider what would be a marketable product or service to their classmates and school personnel. Production and budgeting exercises were next. Homemade advertising posters were created and displayed in the cafeteria during the week leading to the final event, “Small Business Day” on May 21.On that day, the cafeteria became a somewhat chaotic “mall”, with about 50 student businesses competing for consumer “dollars”.
Competition was stiff, especially among the many snack and beverage businesses. Collectibles, school supplies and handmade jewelry and other crafts were also in abundance. Several teams offered services like a nail salon, face-painting or massage.One especially creative business offered personalized painters caps decorated in patriotic themes. Raffles, sales, special deals and price wars soon ensued. Everyone learned a lot about the basic economics of business.At the final school assembly, all participants will receive a commemorative ribbon and the “owner/partners” in the most successful small business will be honored with a trophy.
5th grade team from Supply Elementary uses GPS equipment to successfully locate a "cache" hidden by teacher Patti Gail Price under timbers on the Southport waterfront. Cameraman Jeffrey Henson records the find as Ryan Moore shows the cache to team members Schuyler Marshall and Jermica Steverson
Supply Elementary teacher Patti Gail Price’s grant application called for help on a multi-disciplinary project involving science, social studies, math and communications skills.The “Geocaching Ecosystems” program started with topographical map software and six handheld GPS (Global Positioning System) units. These tools allowed the students to easily grasp navigational skills in longitude, latitude and compass reading.They also gained an appreciation and knowledge of nature by studying, locating, photographing, describing and comparing ecosystems.
The program culminated in a field trip to three different ecosystems, the lake at Boiling Springs, the ocean at Southport and the beach at Holden Beach.At each location the students used their handheld GPS units to follow coordinate clues to locate ”caches” hidden by Ms. Price over the weekend. The “caches” were tiny – rectangular tiles only about 2” x 2.5” so it required paying careful attention to detail, using all of the available screens on the GPS unit, and having sharp eyes.Some of caches were hidden under leaves or wood, or partially buried in the sand.
As each cache was discovered, a team member used a digital camera to record the exact time and position of the find.The teams then went on to locate and identify “producers” and “consumers” in each ecosystem; i.e. at the lake, bugs and the birds that eat them; at the ocean, plankton and fish.For the math part of the project, they also had to find geometric shapes in nature.Last, they communicated their findings by creating a 2-line alliteration about what they had seen. Kayanna Causey and teammate Tyshemma Stanley were inspired by the forest at Boiling Spring Lake to write: “Tall Trees Take Trails to Tell Tall Tales”.
With the Bright Ideas grant Ms. Price introduced students to geocaching as a fun and educational activity for families and people of all ages.To learn more about this new global “sport”, visit www.geocaching.com.You can hunt for caches in this county, across the country or on the other side of the world!
In a well-organized and busy classroom for Exceptional Children at South Columbus High School, teacher Tammy Dorman and her assistant Mary Jacobs put Bright Ideas funds to good use for the “Operation Stallion Job Success” program.The grant money bought much-needed supplies and tools to implement the PAES (Practical Assessment Exploration System) program materials that were purchased the year before.
The PAES program provides hands-on training in four areas of interest: Homeconsumer Science, covering everything from food service to production and sewing basics; Business Marketing involves training in basic office operations, computers, cash registers, mail sorting and other office functions; Industrial Technology training in woodworking, electricity, basic home repairs; and Manipulatory Processing and Production which enhances had-eye coordination in a production environment.
Students learn real-world practical skills and good work habits that will help them find employment.To earn their Diploma the students must complete about 200 hours of in-school training, 260 hours of non-paid employment in the community, and 340 hours of paid employment in local businesses. Another requirement is that each student compiles a “Career Portfolio” detailing their work experiences in the program, and makes both an oral and written presentation of the portfolio to polish up their communications and interviewing skills
For their 3-hour shifts at employment in the community, Ms. Jacobs accompanies the students to their job site and helps them get settled in.To gain broader experience each student worked at two different job sites each semester.“The program gives these students a very structured environment in which they learn very specific skills.This gives them confidence that they can fit into a paid employment situation upon graduation.The skills they learn here will come in handy both on the job and in daily life. Knowing safe food preparation practices, how to use tools and do basic home repairs is something every student needs to know for later life.” , says Ms. Dorman, a Tabor City native with twenty-two years of Special Education teaching experience in area schools.
Teaching Assistant Mary Jacobs also serves as a “Job Coach” for the students and adapts the assigned tasks to the special needs and abilities of each student with infinite patience. Her daughter Lynn is in the class and serves as special inspiration for Ms. Jacobs as she can easily see how much the program has helped Lynn’s confidence and self-esteem.
Wallace Scott, Naomi Stephens, and Lynn Jacobs show off the wares of The Horseshoe Company store run by students in the Job Success program at South Columbus High School.
Says Dorman, “The kids have really enjoyed producing items for us to sell in our mobile business, “The Horseshoe Store”. We wheel it to the cafeteria at lunchtime and sell a variety of items, many of which make great holiday gifts. The store gives them opportunities to practice selling and service skills with their peers.”
Next they entered the “cars” in a series of competitive events, winning trophies and medals all across the state.The team came in 3rd overall in NC and second in the Quiz Bowl at the statewide “Students Fueling the Future” competition on May 1.They also competed and won several awards in different categories at the State Technology Student Association competition in Raleigh.
Their hydrogen fuel cell car actually runs on distilled water.The fuel cell separates water from the intake chamber into hydrogen and oxygen.It further separates the particles into positive or negative charges, creating a difference of potential, or electric voltage.As it goes into the engine it gets recombined and the car uses the hydrogen as fuel.That’s the simple explanation, but Mr. Blackmon’s students learned a lot more about the technology.The 1/24-scale model they built traveled at about 2 mph, at full size that would be 48 mph .Actual prototypes of fuel cell powered autos have reached 100 mph at a capacity of 400 miles .These projects, from invention to testing and finally competing, gave students a solid experience in the excitement of scientific discovery, as well as the detailed and sometimes tedious path to success
5th Grade entrepreneurs gather with teachers at Small Business day at Bolivia Elementary. Businessman David Boynton of "Bookmarks 'R' Us" describes his merchandise to potential customer Lynn Caton.
Over at Bolivia Elementary, fifth graders got the chance to create their own business, complete with market research, planning, budgeting, production, advertising and sales. Thanks to the Bright Ideas grant, teacher Meg Dingwall was able to purchase the supplies for the young entrepreneurs. Great creativity was needed, as each team was limited to budget of just $12 for all costs.The students had to first consider what would be a marketable product or service to their classmates and school personnel. Production and budgeting exercises were next. Homemade advertising posters were created and displayed in the cafeteria during the week leading to the final event, “Small Business Day” on May 21.On that day, the cafeteria became a somewhat chaotic “mall”, with about 50 student businesses competing for consumer “dollars”.
Competition was stiff, especially among the many snack and beverage businesses. Collectibles, school supplies and handmade jewelry and other crafts were also in abundance. Several teams offered services like a nail salon, face-painting or massage.One especially creative business offered personalized painters caps decorated in patriotic themes. Raffles, sales, special deals and price wars soon ensued. Everyone learned a lot about the basic economics of business.At the final school assembly, all participants will receive a commemorative ribbon and the “owner/partners” in the most successful small business will be honored with a trophy.
5th grade team from Supply Elementary uses GPS equipment to successfully locate a "cache" hidden by teacher Patti Gail Price under timbers on the Southport waterfront. Cameraman Jeffrey Henson records the find as Ryan Moore shows the cache to team members Schuyler Marshall and Jermica Steverson
Supply Elementary teacher Patti Gail Price’s grant application called for help on a multi-disciplinary project involving science, social studies, math and communications skills.The “Geocaching Ecosystems” program started with topographical map software and six handheld GPS (Global Positioning System) units. These tools allowed the students to easily grasp navigational skills in longitude, latitude and compass reading.They also gained an appreciation and knowledge of nature by studying, locating, photographing, describing and comparing ecosystems.
The program culminated in a field trip to three different ecosystems, the lake at Boiling Springs, the ocean at Southport and the beach at Holden Beach.At each location the students used their handheld GPS units to follow coordinate clues to locate ”caches” hidden by Ms. Price over the weekend. The “caches” were tiny – rectangular tiles only about 2” x 2.5” so it required paying careful attention to detail, using all of the available screens on the GPS unit, and having sharp eyes.Some of caches were hidden under leaves or wood, or partially buried in the sand.
As each cache was discovered, a team member used a digital camera to record the exact time and position of the find.The teams then went on to locate and identify “producers” and “consumers” in each ecosystem; i.e. at the lake, bugs and the birds that eat them; at the ocean, plankton and fish.For the math part of the project, they also had to find geometric shapes in nature.Last, they communicated their findings by creating a 2-line alliteration about what they had seen. Kayanna Causey and teammate Tyshemma Stanley were inspired by the forest at Boiling Spring Lake to write: “Tall Trees Take Trails to Tell Tall Tales”.
With the Bright Ideas grant Ms. Price introduced students to geocaching as a fun and educational activity for families and people of all ages.To learn more about this new global “sport”, visit www.geocaching.com.You can hunt for caches in this county, across the country or on the other side of the world!
In a well-organized and busy classroom for Exceptional Children at South Columbus High School, teacher Tammy Dorman and her assistant Mary Jacobs put Bright Ideas funds to good use for the “Operation Stallion Job Success” program.The grant money bought much-needed supplies and tools to implement the PAES (Practical Assessment Exploration System) program materials that were purchased the year before.
The PAES program provides hands-on training in four areas of interest: Homeconsumer Science, covering everything from food service to production and sewing basics; Business Marketing involves training in basic office operations, computers, cash registers, mail sorting and other office functions; Industrial Technology training in woodworking, electricity, basic home repairs; and Manipulatory Processing and Production which enhances had-eye coordination in a production environment.
Students learn real-world practical skills and good work habits that will help them find employment.To earn their Diploma the students must complete about 200 hours of in-school training, 260 hours of non-paid employment in the community, and 340 hours of paid employment in local businesses. Another requirement is that each student compiles a “Career Portfolio” detailing their work experiences in the program, and makes both an oral and written presentation of the portfolio to polish up their communications and interviewing skills
For their 3-hour shifts at employment in the community, Ms. Jacobs accompanies the students to their job site and helps them get settled in.To gain broader experience each student worked at two different job sites each semester.“The program gives these students a very structured environment in which they learn very specific skills.This gives them confidence that they can fit into a paid employment situation upon graduation.The skills they learn here will come in handy both on the job and in daily life. Knowing safe food preparation practices, how to use tools and do basic home repairs is something every student needs to know for later life.” , says Ms. Dorman, a Tabor City native with twenty-two years of Special Education teaching experience in area schools.
Teaching Assistant Mary Jacobs also serves as a “Job Coach” for the students and adapts the assigned tasks to the special needs and abilities of each student with infinite patience. Her daughter Lynn is in the class and serves as special inspiration for Ms. Jacobs as she can easily see how much the program has helped Lynn’s confidence and self-esteem.
Wallace Scott, Naomi Stephens, and Lynn Jacobs show off the wares of The Horseshoe Company store run by students in the Job Success program at South Columbus High School.
Says Dorman, “The kids have really enjoyed producing items for us to sell in our mobile business, “The Horseshoe Store”. We wheel it to the cafeteria at lunchtime and sell a variety of items, many of which make great holiday gifts. The store gives them opportunities to practice selling and service skills with their peers.”