Poplar Bluff, MO - The Poplar Bluff R-I Instructional Technology Department fabricated an interactive 3-D topographical map as a summer project to help further engage students this year as they learn earth science concepts.

 

The augmented reality software was made available for free by UC Davis developers, who secured a grant through the National Science Foundation to educate about freshwater lake ecosystems. The IT department first became aware of the AR Sandbox during a MOREnet conference.

 

Poplar Bluff Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill commended the staff for going above and beyond to enhance the learning experience for students even though their primary responsibility is to “keep the hardware going” in classrooms.

 

“To me, this is what true instructional technology is all about,” said R-I Chief Technology Officer Aaron Badgley, who constructed the box while Computer Technician Holden Jennings helped program the Xbox sensor. The mobile contraption holds 250 pounds of highly reflective sand that does not produce fine particle dust.

 

Middle School teacher Tana Bringer plans to kick off her STEM curriculum this month with the AR Sandbox, and then the hands-on exhibit will be available for teachers throughout the district to incorporate into lessons.

 

Pictured: Summer school students have the honor of testing out the AR Sandbox for the first time.

Article and photo submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District

Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center students proved this summer that they are competitive in their respective trades not only in Missouri, but on a national scale.

 

Eight top students recently vied in the National SkillsUSA Championship in Louisville, Ky., placing as high as in the top five of the country. In addition, outgoing senior Luke Cook earned a $1,000 scholarship from the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, based on an essay.

 

Hailey Garrett placed fifth in cosmetology, Nickalas Richards placed seventh in barbering, Jeramiah Gracia placed 14th in T-shirt design; Cook, Lane and Levi White, and Nick Loyd placed 20th in team works; and Lara Pierce placed 26th in esthetics, with Joselin Clark serving as her model. Building trades instructor Jody Cochran, SkillsUSA advisor, chaperoned the students during the conference.

 

Pictured: (From left) Nick Loyd, Joselin Clark, Lara Pierce, Luke Cook, Lane and Levi White, Nickalas Richards, Jeramiah Gracia and Jody Cochran are pictured during the National Leadership and Skills Conference. Not present for the photo is Hailey Garrett.

Article and photo submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District

Ross Dare has been selected among 330 sophomores statewide to participate in the Missouri Scholars Academy this summer, the first Poplar Bluff High School student in several years to achieve this prestigious honor, according to the Counseling Department.

 

Selection to the three-week residential program held at the University of Missouri campus in Columbia is based on PSAT scores, grade point average, an IQ test, student essays and letters of recommendation.

 

“Missouri Scholars Academy will give Ross new opportunities to challenge himself intellectually and new venues for his curiosity to flourish,” wrote Joshua Allen, Ross’ choir teacher. “He is, simply stated, the type of student for whom MSA was created.”

 

During the academy which begins Sunday, June 10, Ross will select a major, a minor, as well as a social class tailored toward the academically gifted. The curriculum is designed for scholars to deepen their understanding about their unique abilities, while engaging in critical-thinking and problem-solving activities.

 

Science Department chairwoman Gail Karlish said Ross is only the second sophomore in her 38-year tenure that she has given special permission to enroll in physics, a junior level course. Ross earned an A during the first semester. Karlish has also served as the Academic Team coach for over 25 years, working closely with many of the school’s brightest students, she said. Ross is the team captain.

 

“This year, cross country was another activity that Ross added to his already impressive plate,” Karlish wrote in her letter. “He did this because, in his words: ‘I’m not a very sports guy. I wasn’t very good this year, but I plan to run again next year because it was fun, and I want to get better.’”

 

That enthusiastic attitude combined with his top ranking in his class is why guidance counselor Susan Brown felt compelled to nominate Ross for MSA, she said.

Pictured: Ross Dare, pictured with counselor Susan Brown, has been accepted to the Missouri Scholars Academy from June 10-30 at Mizzou.

Photo and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District

PBHS hosts its first student PD day

 

Zumba, beekeeping, college life, dog training, improv and Magic the Gathering were just a sampling of the various subjects and activities secondary education students were exposed to last week.

 

Poplar Bluff High School held its first student personal development day in collaboration with the Technical Career Center on Friday, May 11, at the Tom Hoover Way campus.

 

“The idea was to give kids an opportunity to learn what you wouldn’t get in a typical school day,” explained Instructional Coach Stephanie Kuper, the event organizer. “We had information about different careers, everyday things that people need to know about, and some fun sessions.”

 

Community partners, faculty and even high schoolers led the breakout sessions, which students got to select via a survey. Last year Junior High successfully introduced student PD day to the district, and Kuper credited the leadership there for providing a model she can go off of. The concept originally came from the Orchard Farm School District.

 

“When kids are engaged in what they’re learning about, classroom management tends to take care of itself,” Kuper said. “You gotta keep giving them reason to come, because you can’t teach unless they’re here.”

 

Pictured: Barbie Hon of the Technical Career Center displays the teeth of her horse Cricket during an equine care session.

Photo and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District

 Computer graphics students at the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center won second and third place respectively in the 2018 brand design contest at the state fall leadership contest of SkillsUSA Missouri held recently in Jefferson City.

 

Jeramiah Gracia won second place and Rayni Seesengood placed third out of more than 70 entries. Themed ‘job-ready day one,’ the contest included a T-shirt, banner and trading pin component, and a cohesive design among the mediums.

 

“It’s indicative of the level of skills students are capable of in this program – graphic design,” commented Charles Kinsey, TCC director. “[SkillsUSA] is an important organization because it allows the students to express themselves and compete, while the industry tunes in.”

 

The students, both seniors, qualify to compete in the district contest in February and the statewide competition in April.

 

The computer graphics program, under the instruction of Regina Gossett, has produced employees in multiple area print shops over the years including 4M Sign Service & Design, Southeast Signs & Graphics, and Stinson Press.

 

“Our goal is to prepare students to go into the workforce,” said Gossett, “so we align [the program] with what they are doing in their shops.”

 

Pictured: Jeramiah Gracia and Rayni Seesengood take two of three top spots in an area branding competition.

Photo and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District