State Science Fair

Last weekend, Caiden got to participate in the State Science Fair. He and his friend Logan had been working on a hot air balloon project for quite some time (initially a math assignment). I never really understood anything they were working on (it was over my head), but I do know it had to do with ratios and how well a hot air balloon will fly. Last month, they entered it in a regional science fair in Wamego. The project earned a superior rating, sending them to Wichita last week.

Their ELP teacher, Mrs. Sells, put so much extra time into helping the students with their projects. Caiden probably doesn't realize it, but he is so lucky to have teachers who recognize his capabilities and challenge him to do his best, even when he doesn't want to!

I went with Caiden last Saturday for the awards ceremony. His project was in the "Engineering" division - a very popular category. They didn't earn any awards, but I think the whole experience was very good! For this project, they had to create a report, make a display board, test their hypothesis, record data, and at the fair, they had to answer questions the judges had for them throughout the evening (definitely not Caiden's favorite thing). We are glad he had this experience, and we thank Mrs. Sells for everything she did to help them see it through!

Their conclusion

These two actually won 1st place for their project!

Comments

Pre-Christmas Surprise

On Dec. 22, I woke up to Caiden not feeling well. In fact, he said he hadn't ever felt the kind of pain he was experiencing that morning. Reluctantly, I made an appointment. Long story, short - it was good he complained because he ended up having his appendix out that afternoon! It must have been at the very beginning stages and thankfully hadn't burst. So, we were in and out of the hospital by midnight that night. Maybe the worst part about the whole thing is that his wisdom teeth surgery had to be postponed since it was supposed to be the very next week. He'll go back to school minus an appendix, but still having his wisdom teeth until February 16! Pre-op Post-op

Mid-Summer Happenings

I'm trying to remember that I craved "slow and easy" days during the school year, and I feel like that's what I've had this summer. It has been refreshing to wake up in the morning and have a flexible to-do list; although I have to admit that some days do feel long. I suppose that helps me appreciate my teaching job! In not particular order, here's what we've been up to: Endless fixing and revamping in the shop: Digging up potatoes and pulling up a generous onion crop! Look at the size of that potato! The 4th of July fireworks were outdone by the sky this year! Enjoying my walks at sunset: Many, many green beans to can and pickle. Thanks to the girls for cleaning and stemming them! I had been keeping tabs on an Oriole nest near the garden, and one Sunday, I witnessed the "fly-away!" It was a noisy affair as the parents and babies kept calling back and forth. I almost can't get over the fact that I had time to stand and watch the whole affair

League Champs!!

Delaney and her teammates had an amazing volleyball season! They ended the season undefeated in the Wheat State League, and they only lost 2 matches overall. They had a notable win over Moundridge, 2 wins over Elyria, and THREE wins over Little River - all teams we have had trouble with in the past. They were so fun to watch, working as a team and developing throughout the season, and they ended as the league tournament champs. Thanks to Raechel Boese and Tara Churchill for their work with these ladies. What a fantastic way to end Delaney's middle school volleyball days! The immediate aftermath of a 3-set win over Elyria for the League Championship! A Team 8th Graders Team Selfie Coaches Churchill and Boese Scenes from the BIG win over Moundridge:

Days With the Duerksens

Search This Blog