Students use tools to create a robotic vehicle in a recent summer enrichment course at New Palestine Junior High School
Maribeth Vaughn | [email protected]
NEW PALESTINE – For Alivia McGee and Addie Jones, this summer’s “Reader’s Theater” is the start of something new.
Both girls, incoming fourth-graders, donned space costumes for one of their plays. They are interested in acting, and the summertime program gave them the opportunity to test it out for the first time.
“I want to be an actress when I grow up, and I really love reading,” said Addie.
“I like acting,” Alivia said. “I watch movies and shows and I know I’d like to try that kind of stuff.”
Readers Theater was one of more than a dozen experiences Southern Hancock schools offered to local children to explore their interests while school is out.
Children came to school buildings throughout the summer to learn science, technology, art, games, cooking and more. The Readers Theater gathered nearly 30 students in grades 2-4 throughout two sessions to read plays together, as well as design simple sets like a cardboard box rocketship.
“I hope they learn to work as a team, use expression and build their confidence in performing in front of friends and family members,” said teacher Kendra Olin.
This is the seventh year Southern Hancock has offered summer enrichment programs. Spokesperson Craig Smith said in an email that Dr. Lisa Lantrip believes all students should have a summer opportunity to feed their passion, keep their minds engaged and keep connected to their school community.
“The goal is to allow staff to create camps that feed their passion and purpose,” he said. “This allows for our amazing educators to offer that same thing to our students and families.”
While most students are from the SH community, it’s open to others as well. Warren student Brooklyn Bailey, for example, joined the robotics program with her cousin Ashton Bailey, who was visiting for the summer from Georgia.
“This is our first car we’ve ever made,” Ashton said, just after teacher Curt Powers gave them some beginner pointers on designing an automobile.
The program in July gave participants a chance to work in pairs to create a robotic car all week long.
“It’s good for a first build for them to do,” Powers said. “The goal is to go 25 feet in seven seconds, but ultimately (determine) who can go the longest.”
Hannah Walker and Harper Graham said they enjoyed the program.
“You use creativity to design your own race car,” Hannah said.
Powers, who teaches Project Lead the Way, said this is one of the projects he teaches throughout the school year so campers will have a leg up if they join his class. The final race is always fun, he added, but they can’t keep the project and students always grumble when he announces, “alright guys you have to tear it all down now.”
Other enrichment programs this summer have included Games Galore, exploring board games and sports; cooking camps; kindergarten readiness; jewelry making; space camp; computer programming; bookmaking; and a science/technology camp based on the first book of the popular Magic Tree House series. The national Camp Invention program was also offered.
“Southern Hancock has created a very robust summer enrichment program and looks forward to continuing to do even more in the future,” Smith said. “Achieving our personal best in pursuit of excellence is where Southern Hancock’s passion and purpose meet.”
