Another day in the science labs
ABOVE LEFT: Studying the structure of an eye instead of just looking at published diagrams, anatomy and physiology students, Christine Schreiner and Whitney Riedel, dissect a cow’s eye to see its individual components. ABOVE RIGHT: During a special senses unit, in which anatomy and physiology students study sight, hearing, smell and taste organs, Jordan Olson looks through the lens of a cow’s eye to see if an image is inverted. Smoky Hill Meat Processing donated the sight organs for the students to study. (Photos by Jake Schlegel)
FAR LEFT: In a Chemistry II experiment, Teran Frick pours a liquid from a beaker into a graduated cylinder. Frick conducted the experiment to determine the level of viscosity in water and acetone. TOP LEFT: Learning from their mentor, Chemistry II Instructor Carl Berhens, Annabelle Oss and Dana Diec listen for information about van der Waal’s forces, which are forces that hold particles together. BOTTOM LEFT: Dissecting an owl pellet, which is a regurgitated mass of bones, teeth, hair, feathers and exoskeletons of various animals, Biology I Student Evan Cronn uses forceps to discover the eating habits of an owl. (Photos by Lance Soales)
English I students hone skill as they make paper cranes
English I is not always writing, reading, learning grammar, etc., as students found out when they participated in a “following directions” unit.
The lesson began with Teacher Doris Collins reading Sadako, a novel about a Japanese girl’s experiences with the bombing of Hiroshima. The girl, a toddler when the bomb struck her home city, developed leukemia 10 years later. In the story Sadako believes that if she can complete 1,000 origami cranes, she will get “luck” that will free her from the disease.
After listening to the story and the significance of the paper cranes, freshmen followed written directions to complete origami cranes. Not all viewed the task as an easy one.
Monte Schmitt said, “It was difficult. I messed up enough that I finally got it right.”
“It was harder than I thought, folding them and everything, but it gave us a good view of what Sadako had to do,” said Tyler Windholz.
After completing paper cranes, students logged onto Moodle, the online classroom web site, to complete the blog—“Why was Sadako’s task to complete 1,000 cranes so difficult?” The blog allowed all freshmen to read and comment about other students’ ideas.
The signs of the crane making unit were evident in Collins’ classroom after the lesson was complete—67 origami cranes, made from multi-colored and patterned paper , hung gracefully from the ceiling.
Working together to complete origami cranes, English I Students Amy Bazan and Devin D. focus on making sharply creased folds.
Reaching high, Crystal C. hangs her final product—a completed origami crane. English I students completed the cranes as part of a “following directions” unit.
ABOVE LEFT: After installing oak and melamine cabinets in the gymnasium's storage area, construction students putty nail holes to give the project a finished look. Seven students are enrolled in construction classes. ABOVE RIGHT: Putting the final touches on the book drop in the new TCHS library help desk, Tyrell Gideon, Sam Bailey and Skyller Sims work to complete their construction class project. Doug Durr teaches the class.
Construction class provides unique opportunities
Students’ learning construction skills as they complete projects for the community is the focus of Doug Durr’s construction classes.
Seven students currently are finishing their first semester projects.
Tarin Mai, Dylan Reetz, Cody Ghumm and Matt Neff just put the finishing touches on their project—oak and melamine cabinets for the gymnasium storage area. Also, the trio of Sam Bailey, Skyller Sims and Tyrell Gideon completed a large L-shaped help desk for the TCHS library. The project, which features a computer station, ample drawers, formica top, and oak finish, updates the décor of the library.
Librarian Karen Cook is pleased with the result.
“I like the new desk because now librarians can use a comfortable desk chair instead of a back-breaking stool. The desk also compliments the décor and color scheme of the library. It certainly helps makes the library an aesthetically pleasing place to work and learn.
Reetz and Neff commented about why they like completing projects and being in the class.
“I get to build stuff, and it’s easy because I don’t have to do bookwork. I like the hands-on class because it’s interactive,” said Reetz.
Neff said, “The class taught me to work with different kinds of wood. I also learn how to repair or build stuff for my house later on.”
Durr commented about the value of the class.
“These kids are enrolled in another woods class. This class allows them to get additional woodworking practice without adding to their personal project costs, and it gives experience in skills other than those used in typical woodworking projects.”
Students will again decide what to construct this semester. One class will take on the task of making a clothing booth for the “big barn” exhibit area at the fairgrounds. The other class is still undecided.
ABOVE: Students pay close attention as a Westwind employee explains how computer-assisted equipment can be very precise in cutting drawer fronts. RIGHT: An employee of Plastic Formations explains what types of products are made at the facility.
Students learn the benefits of
computer-assisted production
The materials and processes class, along with Teacher Doug Durr, traveled to Quinter on February 29 to visit two industries.
The first stop on the tour was Westwood Woodwork Industries, a business specializing in the production of cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Here, students learned about a construction process which uses computerized and numerically controlled equipment. The building of doors and drawers in this facility requires labor that is primarily focused on technical skills rather than the hands-on skills students have experienced in the high school woods classroom. For example, the computer-assisted building process allows for 1/32” accuracy as technicians build cabinet doors, which are marketed primarily in the Midwest, with growth just starting on the East and West Coasts.
The second stop of the tour was Plastic Formations, a business which uses a vacuum process to mold plastics for cars, motorcycles, four-wheelers, etc. Here, students learned the steps required for plastics formation.
Students also learned that recently, the company’s mold makers have been utilizing computerized equipment at Westwind to ensure accurate molds with which to form plastics.
One freshman commented about the trip.
Joey R. said, “I liked everything, especially how you could program a computer to what you want it to do.”
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
Lions Club honors academic excellence
Twenty-eight TCHS students and were honored by the Lions Club with a scholarship dinner at the Jade Garden Restaurant on March 3.
Invitation to the event was determined by each student’s GPA, full-time status, and good standing with the school for the current school year.
Parents were also invited to the dinner.
The TCHS Girls’ Ensemble, directed by Kathy Jamison, provided the entertainment.
Students honored by the Lions Club included the following:
Seniors--Dana Diec, Sierra Fabrizius, Stacy Littlechild, Cameron Locke, Aubrey Riedel, Whitney Riedell, Tarin Mai, Taylor Dirks, Michele Ummel, Samantha Augustine and Sara Cunningham;
Juniors--Jake Schlegel, Teran Frick, Eric Cunningham, Olivia Fabrizius, Casey Flax, Scott P., Jordan Olson, Kelsey H., Shane Pfeifer and Dylan Sherfick; and
Sophmores--Dona Diec, Morgan Dietz, Curtis Satran, Rubin Sherwood, James Schreiner, Chantel W. and Kirsten Locke.
