Author Jason Chin Visits CVSD Schools

Science teachers across the district have been looking for ways to integrate science into reading and writing classes while also creating a shared experience for our PreK-8 students. This week, CVSD's PreK-8 buildings are welcoming Jason Chin to share his experiences and insights into writing and illustrating children’s books. Jason Chin, a local author and illustrator, is a diverse author and a Caldecott Medal winner who has written and illustrated a series of children’s books including many on non-fiction science topics.

“I love meeting readers and sharing what I love, and I hope that my visits will help young readers see themselves as artists, scientists, readers and writers.” -Jason Chin

These visits were funded through a grant, the school district, and each school's PTO/family organizations supported it as well.

Thank you, Jason, for such enriching and engaging presentations! Here are a few photos from the visit with Williston students yesterday. He was in Charlotte today and will be in Shelburne and Hinesburg this week as well.

WCS Engineering Design Challenge

Middle school students at Williston Central School recently participated in an engineering design challenge. Students chose to create designs for either the rampball or catapult challenge and then competed against others to determine which had the greatest success. 

Students discuss ideas during the planning and building process.

Engineering in middle school sometimes means lots of glue, tape and recycled materials!

So how does the incline of the ramp affect the distance a ball will travel? Students tested it to find out!

Students compete with their catapult, which earned them a 3rd place finish at the Engineering Challenge!

Putting their catapult to the test!

Helicopter Lands at CCS

Sam Slater, a Charlotte Central School parent and CPT in the VT Army National Guard, flew a Blackhawk helicopter that landed in the soccer field today. All students were gathered to watch the landing and then smaller groups had the opportunity to take a closer look.

Several Guardsman were present to maintain safety during the landing and takeoff and to help answer questions. Students could explore the helicopter and learn more about the power of STEM education. They did a fabulous job responding and explaining many aspects of the science behind how helicopters work, some things about their roles with the National Guard, and how and when the helicopter is used.

Teacher, Shannon Spellman

Jen Roth, principal, and Courtney Krahn, assistant principal

Summer Learning at WCS

WCS had two week-long summer learning experiences for some students. This slideshow showcases the 6th-8th experience with a focus on real-world application of math, science and reading. Thanks to Cris Milks and Colleen O’Brien for their work on creating and leading these experiences for our students.

Rising Star at CCS

Congratulations to Andrew Lounsbury, middle level science educator at Charlotte Central School! Andrew was selected to receive the Rising Star Award from the Vermont Association of Middle Level Education. (VAMLE)

According to the VAMLE website:

The Vermont Association for Middle Level Education (VAMLE) honors a Vermont middle level educator who has been passionate about teaching young adolescents and uses middle level best practices for three years or less. Three educators have been recognized by the VAMLE Board for the Rising Star Award this year based on their outstanding efforts and successes as relatively new middle level educators.

Andrew was nominated by his colleague and mentor, Allan Miller during the 2020-2021 school year.

Mr. Miller, now an educator at Williston Central School, notes in describing Andrew’s effects on students, “‘Relationships first’ - as we know middle level students are unique, and not all educators have the passion to connect with them in all their quirkiness, emotions, and energy. But it’s clear from being online or in-person with Andrew that he ‘gets’ them and that he is about connecting with them. Students show up to his office hours just to tell jokes, to share about their new dog or come to be part of the online Chess Club he started just because they enjoy being around him.”

Allan also mentioned, “When I meet with the team, I truly have to remind myself that this is really his [Andrew’s] first year as a teacher - his impact has been that significant already. He truly was the right person at the right time for the CCS Omega Team, and one we hope will be part of CCS for many years to come. Honestly some days I come away feeling like I’ve learned more from him than he from me . . . which is awesome!” It’s a valuable advantage as a team member to have a novice teacher play such a responsible role in the team’s success with students and in organizing challenging alterations in the schedule—a role that Andrew has clearly embraced.

Andrew with VAMLE's Executive Director Dave F. Brown and CCS principals Jen Roth and Stephanie Sumner

Congratulations, Andrew, and thank you for your many contributions to the students of CCS.

Learning From An Astronaut

Our last post was about classrooms connecting via Skype with Jane Goodall to learn about helping our planet. Today, fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students used Skype for a powerful conversation with Ricky Arnold, a NASA astronaut who recently returned from 6 months on the International Space Station.

Tasha Grey, 6th grade teacher, and Allan Miller, digital learning leader, are returning to a unit they began last year by having students dig deep into current NASA research projects. They had put in a request to the astronaut office back in February seeing if any astronaut might be willing to Skype with CCS students to give them some first hand insights into life on the ISS and their role conducting these research projects.They found out late last week about the call today with Ricky Arnold. Ricky is one of three teachers that were selected as part of the Educator Astronaut program back in 2003 and his tour on the ISS was really focused on outreach and education.

The Charlotte students did a fabulous job asking questions they had prepared ahead of time. And Ricky responded in such a way that everyone attending could easily understand. After a question about what it takes to become an astronaut, he said that in order to be an astronaut or work for NASA, you should study math and science, find what you enjoy and bring that skill to NASA when you're ready. He said one of the most surprising and exhilarating things about going into space is the view of Earth from there. It helped him appreciate that "all of the history of life has taken place on this beautiful, fragile place we call home. We have to take care of it; it's all we have."

In response to questions the students asked, he shared that your body has to take time to adjust to life in space and also needs to do the same upon return to Earth. It took months for him to be comfortable going on hikes in the US after returning. He was not sure-footed nor comfortable in high places on hikes for a while. 

In terms of food, he mostly missed fresh fruits and vegetables. They grew some lettuce, but it didn't taste right. 

He closed by telling students that we all have gifts, some not yet uncovered, which you won't know you have until you try things. Allow yourself to face challenges and accept them. It it doesn't work, try again. 

It's great advice for all of us. 

CCS is Out of This World!

Check out this fantastic photo of Mauritania

The Charlotte Central School 6th graders in Tasha Grey's class are applying their learning about world geography and coordinate grids by participating in a NASA program called the Sally Ride Earthkam (www.earthkam.org).  

Twice each year astronauts on board the International Space Station install a special camera in one of their earth observing windows and students are able to upload requests to take high resolution pictures of the earth below.  In order to successfully "take" a photo, students have to identify the latitude and longitude of a site that is located along the orbital path of the ISS, and then identify the exact second that the ISS will be over that specific location.  We also learn a bit about weather and cloud patterns, as it can be really frustrating to identify a great picture only to discover it's buried under a thick layer of clouds in a low pressure system.

Our challenge for students this year is to take a picture of a common landform such as shorelines, mountains, rivers, etc. on each of the six continents that fall under the ISS orbit.  We expect to take more than 300 pictures during the mission, and as a summary will create a school display that will let other students practice their own skills trying to match the picture and its latitude/longitude coordinates to locations on a large earth map.   

This is 44N 73W from 250 miles up

(aka Swanton, VT)

The coast of Namibia

Diversity in Science

Middle school teacher Lisa Phelps, and students on the Winton team in Shelburne, have focused on diversity in science over a period of time. Last year, they closely examined news articles from a magazine for students to gather data on the representation of diversity. She posed the following question to her class. “Does SuperScience Magazine contain bias toward race and gender?”

The students focused in on the topic and proposed a change to the magazine in a letter. The most recent edition, and the letter they received back from the magazine, indicates that their voices were heard. Great job Winton students and thanks Mrs. Phelps for raising awareness.

Read more about it on this page of the Winton website.

Skype with a Scientist

Cancer biologist and biophysicist Dr. Krishna Mudumbi of Yale joined Mrs. Benoit's class of first and second grade students at the Allen Brook School for an interactive event. Dr. Mundumbi shared a bit about his work and answered some thoughtful student questions! Now all of the students want to be scientists! The class was matched with Dr. Mundumbi through "Skype A Scientist."

Dr. Mudumbi talked about super-resolution microscopy- the newest microscope and techniques allowing scientists to see small details in cells and cell biology - what cells are, how he takes pictures of cells to collect data about how normal cells work an what happens with cell mutations. Wow! 

This is quite a lot for first and second graders, but according to Mrs. Benoit, he did a nice job of bringing it down to the kids' level. We are thankful for this kind of opportunity.