Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Dexter, Missouri - Tiska Rodgers and Celeste Colley science teachers at Dexter Senior High School have been named district winners in the Shell Science Lab Challenge, a competition for middle and high school science teachers. Sponsored by the Shell Oil Company and administered by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the competition encouraged teachers (grades 6-12), who have found innovative ways to deliver quality lab experiences with limited school and laboratory resources, to share their approaches for a chance to win a school science lab makeover support package valued at $20,000.
Colley and Rodgers are one of 18 district winners named, from which five national finalists will be chosen, and from the national finalists a grand prize winner will be selected.
“The dedication and high-quality work of the 2014 Shell Science Lab Challenge district winners is commendable,” said Bill Badders, President, NSTA. “We never cease to be amazed and inspired by the teachers—who with scarce funding and limited supplies—are continuing to elevate science literacy through creativity and resourcefulness in their classrooms.”
“Inquiry-based learning and hands-on experimentation are key elements for encouraging student interest in science,” said Dr. Frazier Wilson, Vice President, Shell Oil Company Foundation, Manager, Social Investment. “The Shell Science Lab Challenge strives to support inquiry-based instructional practices of our science teachers and excite students about the wonders and possibilities of science through active learning that emphasizes questioning, data analysis, and critical thinking. Exemplary science teaching is more relevant when it occurs in a quality lab environment where science concepts can be explored by students.”
To enter the Shell Science Lab Challenge, science teachers of grades 6-12 in the United States and Canada were asked to describe their school’s current laboratory resources, explain why the school’s laboratory facilities might be classified as “limited” resources, and describe their approach to science education instruction utilizing their school’s current lab facilities. A panel of science educators then reviewed and selected the top entries.
As a district winner, each teacher and their school will receive a $3,000 science lab prize package that includes:
· $1,000 Shell grant to purchase lab equipment and other science education resources;
· $1,000 in donated science lab equipment from Ward’s Science;
· $300 gift certificate to the NSTA Science Store;
· One year NSTA membership for two teachers;
· NSTA Learning Center subscription for two teachers; and
· Paid registration for two teachers to attend a 2014 NSTA Area Conference on Science Education.
To view the list of 2014 Shell Science Lab Challenge District Winners and for more information about the Challenge, visit the competition web site.
About NSTA
The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes approximately 55,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.
About Shell Oil Company
Shell’s commitment to community and social responsibility has been in place for more than 50 years. During this time, we have contributed more than a billion dollars to support community, health and welfare, environmental, arts and cultural activities, various educational initiatives, including minority education, and diversity and inclusiveness programs in Houston and the U.S.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - The Three Rivers College Music Department will present a program of free recitals and musical events for the public in April. Featured events include a sing-along of Handel’s “Messiah,” a guitar recital by adjunct instructor Jay Shepard, and a recital by the Three Rivers Brass Ensemble.
“All of these events provide a wonderful opportunity to experience music, right here in Poplar Bluff,” said William “Buddy” White, Instructor of Music at Three Rivers. “We have all types of musical works being performed, from some of the most beloved choral music in the world, to themes from video games. There’s something for everyone.”
Programs for the month will kick off on Tuesday, April 15, with a recital featuring several Three Rivers student musicians at 7 p.m. in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center on the Poplar Bluff Campus. The event is free of charge and will give student musicians an opportunity to display a wide variety of instruments and musical styles.
Community members are invited to come and join the music with a sing-along version of Handel’s “Messiah” on Saturday, April 19 at 7 p.m. in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center. “Messiah” is one of the most famous and most frequently performed pieces of choral music in the world and is best known for its “Hallelujah” chorus. Audience members will have the opportunity to purchase a score and participate in the music. The performance will feature soloists from Kennett, Poplar Bluff, and Williamsville, accompanied by an orchestra comprised of accomplished musicians from across the nation.
Featured events continue with a performance by music instructor Jay Shepherd on Tuesday, April 22 at 7 p.m. in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center. Shepherd is a master of classical guitar and will play pieces from Mignone, Bach, and selections from the music of “Final Fantasy” by Nobuo Uematsu. Admission is free.
On Sunday, April 27, the Three Rivers College Brass Ensemble will hold a recital at 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church (500 N. Main, Poplar Bluff). The Brass Ensemble, which consists entirely of Three Rivers students, will play a selection of classical and modern pieces. Admission is free.
The Music Department will cap off the month with a student recital on Wednesday, April 30, at noon in Tinnin Center room 215. Admission is free.
Three Rivers College is committed to contributing to the quality of life in Southeast Missouri with quality, affordable higher education opportunities and community services that support and encourage the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events, visit trcc.edu.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Riley Rickman is a senior at Dexter HIgh School and was recently diagnosed with Leukemia. She has been undergoing treatment at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.
Ten finalists in the Pop Concert will be vying for a prize this year, with monetary donations accompanying each vote. All money received will be donated to help defray the cost of treatment and travel expenses for Riley and her family.
The performer who receives the most money for Riley earns the first place prize. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students. Children five and under are free.
"We hope everyone comes out and supports the awesome talent at our high school," stated Sepulvado.
"We're In This Together!" Support Rally for Riley!
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Edito
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Prospective students may now register for Fall semester classes at Three Rivers College. Registration is also open for Maymester, Summer, and Augmester classes. Fall registration will continue through Aug. 15 at the Poplar Bluff campus and the centers in Sikeston, Dexter, Kennett, Malden, Willow Springs and Cape Girardeau. The Fall semester starts on Aug. 18.
Three Rivers also offers two-week, intensive Maymester and Augmester classes between the Spring/Summer and Summer/Fall semesters, respectively. Registration for Maymester ends May 16, with classes beginning May 19. Augmester registration ends July 24 with classes starting on July 28.
Full-semester summer classes, along with four-week “A Session” and “B Session” courses are open for registration, as well. Full and A Session courses end registration on May 30, with classes beginning on June 2. B Session courses begin on June 30, with registration ending on June 26.
“This year is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to begin or continue their educational journey,” said Dr. Wesley Payne, Vice President for Learning at Three Rivers College. “Our new transitional courses are in full swing, and we’re always working to create more efficient, cost-effective ways to get your degree.”
Payne advises new students who need financial aid to begin the application process as soon as possible in order to receive priority for federal grants and loans. For more information on how to apply for financial assistance at Three Rivers, visit trcc.edu/financialaid.
Those interested in enrolling can browse available courses by clicking “Search for Classes” at trcc.edu. Current students can register online through the myTRCC system, however both current and new students must meet with an advisor prior to registering. For registration assistance or for an advisement appointment, contact the Poplar Bluff campus at 573-840-9605; Center at Sikeston at 573-4725223; Center at Kennett at 573-888-6381; Center at Dexter at 573-614-1081; Center at Malden at 573-276-3529; the South Central Education Consortium in Willow Springs at 417-469-3000; and the Cape Girardeau Partnership for Higher Education at 573-332-0516.
Three Rivers College is committed to contributing to the quality of life in Southeast Missouri with quality, affordable higher education opportunities and community services that support and encourage the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events visit trcc.edu.
Written by
Beth Farrah, SMT Writer
Essex, Missouri - Last Friday was the third annual Talent Show for the Richland School District after many years without having one. The Talent Show was a yearly tradition that ended a decade ago and was recently brought back by the music and band director, Amber Duley. Duley used to attend Richland and participated in the Talent Show when she was young, so in 2011, she brought back the tradition and it looks like it is here to stay again.
The Talent Show was ran by the music department with help from the band students who helped set up the stage, stayed late after school to practice, and helped direct traffic backstage while the show was going on. The show had a professional sound and lighting system with managers helping everything run smoothly. The show was held in the gymnasium and was practically sold out by the time seven o’clock hit.
There were a total of twenty-one performances, including singing, dancing, group talent, comedy, and a few videos here and there. Students of all ages participated, from elementary to high school. The third graders performed “Oh Won’t You Sit Down?” as a class after learning the song and routine in their music class. The Kindergarten through third grade cheerleaders did their routine to “I Want Candy” and the fourth through sixth grade cheerleaders danced to “Roar”. Both cheerleading groups learned the routines earlier in the year and performed them at the high school games.
As usual, there were many singing acts, including: fifth grader Shelby Mayabb who sang “Free to Be Me”, eighth grader Riley Thornton “Where Have You Been”, third grader Logan Holman “You Ain’t Woman Enough to Steal My Man”, third grader Rylee Taylor “Roar”, seventh grader Kate Wyman played piano while singing “Stay”, eighth grader Megan Cullum sang “Emotional Girl”, and Jamie Smith and Alicia Meeker played guitar and piano while singing “Iris”.
There were also many dancing acts that followed along with the singing. A group of fifth grade girls showed off their dance moves with the “Flo-cabulary Parts of Speech” and siblings Alexia Kemp and Hunter Sanders showcased their hilarious and adorable dance routine to “Wop”. The Rebel Swag Dance Crew, made up of the elementary’s best dancers, took the stage again and performed to a mash up of hip-hop songs from the 1990s. Lily Morrison, a fifth grader, was in more than five acts and also danced to a solo called “Step Up”.
Though there were songs and dances, just like at every talent show, Richland decided to twist things up with their various videos throughout the night. The first video to play was the Richland Beta Club’s “Happy” video, which they filmed earlier this year in just one day as they prepared to head to Branson in early March for State Convention. Since Richland is home to a State Beta Officer, the club created a video that would introduce Kannon Qualls at the convention, so they chose the song “Happy” by Pharrell Williams and reenacted the music video. Another video was produced by Duley, Adam Lane, Tyler Maddox, Kannon Qualls, and Preston Tilley called “Celebrity Jeopardy”. The parody was a crowd pleaser and was definitely one of the funniest acts.
The grand finale was “Mrs. Bruno Mars” herself (Duley), Adam Touchette, and the junior high band performing “Treasure”. The junior high band members learned “Treasure” a few weeks prior to the Talent Show and were excited to perform with dance moves and all. Duley is a proud believer in grand finales and in previous years she has done “Thriller” and “A Dance Through the Ages”, but this final act was probably the greatest performance yet.
