Aug 19th, 2010
LAKE WALES – When science teacher Nicole McClain started sharing a lesson from her “summer camp” experience, her fellow staff members at Janie Howard Wilson Elementary listened closely.
After all, McClain had just returned from a prestigious stay at the 2010 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, N.J.
However, the Tuesday morning (Aug. 17) gathering in the school cafeteria quickly turned unsettled and noisy when McClain announced an experiment. Each table of teachers would work as a team to solve the same challenge:
- Using only a broom for a tool, move a raw egg – unbroken – into a glass of water. To make the challenge a bit more difficult, the egg would be balanced on top of a toilet paper tube, which would be balanced on top of a tin pie plate, which would be balanced on top of the glass of water.
Teachers had plastic cups and a box of odds and ends, so they could conduct some preliminary experiments. Eventually, McClain encouraged teams to “step up and volunteer” to attempt the experiment.
“Several tables tried methods that were completely different from what we tried at the Academy, but they all worked!” said McClain.
Every time one of the Janie Howard Wilson teams was successful, the cafeteria erupted with cheers and applause.
“It was a wonderful morning,” said Principal Beverly Lynne. “Our teachers did a great job following the scientific process, just like we ask our students to do. But the most important thing was that we had so much fun working together as a school staff.”
McClain attended the all-expenses-paid Mickelson ExxonMobil program with other elementary teachers from around the United States. The Academy was launched in 2005 by pro golfer Phil Mickelson, his wife Amy, and ExxonMobil to create a special learning environment for teachers. The Academy’s goal is to provide elementary teachers with tools, networking opportunities and a “summer camp” environment in which to discover innovative ways to teach math and science.
PHOTO #1: Science teacher Nicole McClain displays the challenge.
PHOTO #2: Coach Gary Fulton (far right) makes the final approach with encouragement from members of the first team brave enough to attempt the experiment. Their success gave other teams the confidence to try.
PHOTO #3: Teacher Demrah Frisk prepares for her “quick whack” method to send the pie plate flying out from under the egg and tube. Was she successful? You bet!
LAKE WALES – Janie Howard Wilson Elementary students cashed in their Star Bucks – earned in the school’s Positive Behavior Support program – to take part in a Crafty Celebration last week (Jan. 27) that one student described as the “best celebration ever!”
LAKE WALES – Six members of the 2011 Lake Wales Highlanders football team made college commitments today (Feb. 1) as part of National Signing Day.
LAKE WALES – Janie Howard Wilson Elementary fifth grade students were mesmerized by concert pianist Thomas Pandolfi (pictured, center), who performed today (Jan. 30) at the Lake Wales Arts Center.
