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VOLUME 16. ISSUE 4.March 2013

In ThIs Issue:SPELLINg BEE

AwArD wINNErSwELLNESS IDEAS

ThE FLU ShOT

Continued on page 7...

St. Cloud, Minn. – Imagine what you would do during a zombie apocalypse. You’d have to use your brain to keep it from being eaten. Certainly not many propositions are more frightening, but dozens of students planned for this scary scenario at the 2013 Science rocks! event Jan. 10 at St. Cloud State University. The event is sponsored by resource Training & Solutions.

More than 750 fifth and sixth grade students from more than 30 area school districts learned about everything from Aliens to Zombies at Science rocks! Students chose three of 24 sessions to attend, including one session on how geography can be used to help emergency planners prepare for the worst- a zombie attack!

In addition to the massive number of students who attended, Science rocks! was made possible by chaperones, volunteers and presenters. Science rocks! is coordinated by Sandra Cordie, Director of Educational Programs.

From theExEcuTivE dirEcTorrobert C. Cavanna, Ed. D.

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Did you know we have a Facebook page? we’d love to have you visit and “like” us. we try to put relevant and interesting things on it for you especially when it comes to highlighting achievements and

accomplishments in our service region. Visit us at: www.facbook.com/resoureTrainingSolutions.

I’d like to tell you in this issue about a recent new book, How to Create a Culture of Achievement in Your School and Classroom. Did you know that you can get a sense of a school’s values, overall climate and environment soon after you’re in the front door?

what does it feel like to walk into your school building? Is it a welcoming place where everyone feels valued? Most school improvements focus on academic goals. The intangibles oftentimes are those things which can make or break a school. Those are the relationships and connections that make up its culture and climate. In this book authors Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey and Ian Pumpian believe that no school improvements will be effective unless school climate/culture is addressed. They identify five pillars that are critical to building a climate of achievement. They are:

1) Welcome. Imagine if all staff members in your school considered it their job to make every student, parent and visitor feel noticed, welcomed and valued. wouldn’t that produce a very caring and loving environment?

2) do no harm. Your school rules should be tools for teaching students to become the ethical and moral citizens you expect them to be.

Volume 16. Issue 4.March 2013

1. From the Executive Director

2. how to Create a Culture of Achievement

3. wellness • Incentive Program • Branding

4. 30-Minute workout

5. what’s happening at resource

6. 2013 Spelling Bee

7. Science rocks!

8. Science rocks!

9. Effective Leadership

10. Leading Forward

11. Member Spotlight

12. Member Spotlight Award winners

13. Ask the Benefits Specialist Flu Vaccine

14. Calendar of Events

Material may not be reproduced in any fashion without Resource Training & Solutions’ permission. Copyright © 2013 by Resource Training & Solutions. The School Improvement/AYP initiative is funded in part with a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education using federal funding, CFDA 84.027A, Special Education-Grants to States.

Continued on page 2

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send address changes to: Resource Training & Solutions. 4150 2nd Street South, Suite 550, St. Cloud, MN 56301

Phone: (320) 255-3236Member Toll Free: (888) 447-7032Fax: (320) 255-2998

info@resourcetraining.com

calendar oF eVents

oPeN

Monday-Friday

8:00am-5:00pm

For more events, information or registration:

www.resourcetraining.com

(320) 255-3236(888) 447-7032

our MIssIon

We build meaningful relationships that enrich members and equip them with tools for success.

March

9158 welcome to Your iPad .....................................................................................3/14 9046 1-2-3 Magic Parent Education Class .............................................................3/168852 Blended Families: real Life Solutions ...........................................................3/18 8825 Becoming a Love and Logic Parent ...............................................................3/199100 Leadership Academy (wednesday group) .....................................................3/20 9100 Leadership Academy (Thursday group) .........................................................3/219160 welcome to Your iPad .....................................................................................3/27 MDE/MSC Principal/Teacher Evaluation ......................................................3/28 good Friday (Offices Closed) ..........................................................................3/29

april

9101 Minnesota Alliance for geographic Education: Links to geoliteracy ............4/49198 Power Limited Technician................................................................................4/87002 State Knowledge Bowl (Day 1) .......................................................................4/117002 State Knowledge Bowl (Day 2) .......................................................................4/127007 JA-Titan Competition .......................................................................................4/127004 gifted/Talented Network ................................................................................4/169181 iPad basics (Take it in Thursdays) .................................................................4/187005 Title 1 Network ................................................................................................4/188694-419 Paraprofessional Exam...................................................................................4/197003 Students of Excellence (river’s Edge Convention Center) ...........................4/24

May

8824 Becoming a Love and Logic Parent .................................................................5/47005 Title 1 Network ..................................................................................................5/87004 gifted/Talented Network ..................................................................................5/99210 Spring Superintendent’s Forum .....................................................................5/157001 Young Authors/Young Artists (YAYA) (Day 1) .................................................5/157001 Young Authors/Young Artists (YAYA) (Day 2) .................................................5/159182 Dealing with Difficult People (Take it in Thursdays) .....................................5/167524 CCN/DAC .........................................................................................................5/17 Memorial Day (Offices Closed) .......................................................................5/27

ask theBEnEfiTs spEcialisTDan weir, Insurance/risk Management Consultant

Q &A Question: Lots of people are getting the flu. Does the flu shot cause the flu? how effective is it in preventing the flu?

Answer: good question. Approximately five to 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu each year. As many as 49,000 Americans die from the flu or from flu complications, with more than 90 percent of those deaths occurring in people over age 65. You can catch the flu from another person, through the air with sneezing and/or coughing. You may want to consult your doctor and ask whether you should get the flu shot. getting a flu shot depends on your age, overall health and medical history. If you are allergic to eggs, you may not want to expose yourself to the side effects. The flu shot has proven to be effective approximately 60 percent of the time and is recommended to include but not limited to:

• People 50 and older• Children and adolescents six months to 19 years • residents of nursing homes• Adults and children who have pulmonary or cardiovascular disorders• women who are pregnant• health care providers The National Center for Infectious Diseases indicates the flu vaccine causes no side effects in most people who are not allergic to eggs. Less than one third of people receiving flu shots report some soreness at the vaccination site. About five to 10 percent of the people receiving flu shots experience mild side effects, including

headaches or low-grade fevers, for about a day after being vaccinated. Because some people have the impression that flu shots cause the flu, the National Center for Infectious Diseases has stated:

“Influenza vaccine produced in the United States has never been capable of causing influenza because the only type of influenza vaccine that has been licensed in the United States to the present time is made from killed influenza viruses which cannot cause infection.”

however, many people remain convinced that the flu shot they received gave them the flu. If you fall into one the categories listed above, are not allergic to eggs or the vaccine and you go in for a flu shot, have a 60 percent chance of avoiding the major symptoms of the flu. It is up to you to decide.

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r e s o u r c e t r a i n i n g & s o l u t i o n s s e r v i n g o u r m e m b e r s

FroM the executIVe dIrector

how to create a culture oF achIeVeMent In your school and classrooM

3) choice words. Affirmative, uplifting language helps students see their own possibility and potential. Students rise to the occasion and behave and perform in ways that are consistent with that language.

4) it’s never too late to learn. Do you push students to go beyond the minimum needed to get by and to discover what they are capable of achieving?

5) Best school on the planet. Is your school the best place to teach and learn?

Drawing on their years of experience in the classroom, the authors explain how these pillars support good teaching and learning. They also provide 19 action research tools that will help you create a culture of achievement so that your school or classroom is the best it can be. Some of the action research tools are a Self-Analysis worksheet, a SwOT analysis, Family Survey and a Discipline Audit.

The collective power of a school community that turns its attention to building a climate/culture of achievement cannot be underestimated. As with trees to be nurtured, the care and maintenance of our resources provides us with the proper shade and environment we need to be more than just a school that merely houses students during the school day.

I highly recommend this very well thought out book. You can loan it from our Media Center and pick it up any day after school or have it sent to you. You may also purchase it from ASCD by calling 800-933-2723, ext. 5634. It’s $27.95.

I hope your school year is going well. The next issue will be in May and hopefully we’ll be experiencing some nice spring weather. Until then, do good things and stay well.

robert C. Cavanna, Ed.D.Executive Director

02

Continued from page 127th annual spring

superintendents’ forum and retiree recognition

May 15, 2013 Karina Berzins, Training and Education Coordinator of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension will present: “what’s New in the world of Internet Safety?”

Ms. Berzins works with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program (ICAC) which helps state and local law enforcement agencies develop an effective response to cyber enticement and child pornography cases. The help encompasses forensic and investigative components, training and technical assistance, victim services and community. Come learn about the dangers and potential wrong uses of social media and how it affects your District’s students.

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MaIntaInIng wellnessWellness BrandingOne of the things that wellness coordinators have been working on, as part of their long-term wellness campaigns, is branding. Leaders in wellness constructed logos, wrote mission statements and accomplished other tasks to focus on specific goals for their programs. Below are a few examples of what wellness coordinators developed.

Crosslake

Annandale

MISSION STATEMENT:The Sauk Rapids-Rice school district will

support and promote a healthy environment and provide opportunities that facilitate the creation of life-long healthy habits for staff

and their families.resource

Left: Martha roth talks to Take it in Thursday attendees during Stress Management: A Cadillac ride in a Pothole worldBelow: Peggy Imholte, Family Education and wellness Specialist, helps wellness coordinators plan their programs Feb. 6.

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Member spotlightaward winners

congratulations to three member principals on receiving prestigious awards!Three principals, who are resource Training & Solutions members, have been named Minnesota Principals of the year by the Minnesota Association of Secondary Schools Principals (MASSP). Photos and descriptions are courtesy of MASSP. we’re proud to have you in our service region!

Jennifer Kelly has been principal of St. Michael-Albertville Middle School East for the past seven years. • Degree in Elementary Education from St. Cloud State University - 1991• Master of Arts in Education from hamline University - 1999 • Educational Administration Licensure - 2001

Erich Martens has been a principal for 14 years, the last nine of which have been at Sauk rapids-rice high School. •Bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Secondary Education from St. John’s University - 1988•Master of Science in Education Administration from St. Cloud State University - 1997•Sixth Year Certificate from St. Cloud State University - 1999

T. “Joe” Vieau, Jr., is the assistant principal at Delano high School. Joe has 24 years of professional experience in education, the past six as an Assistant Principal. • Master of Arts in Education • Served as a Mathematics teacher for Dawson-Boyd Public Schools, watertown-Mayer Public Schools and Delano Public Schools

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what’s happening in your world

MEMBEr spoTlighT

As part of a continuing partnership with Lifetouch, four resource member districts were awarded Lifetouch scholarships, money which goes to help schools pay a significant portion of their Marzano Leadership Training. recipients were given awards at the January Leadership Academy. winners were:

• Becker School District

• Cambridge-Isanti School District

• Princeton School District

• Sauk Centre School District

To get your school involved with this highly beneficial program, please contact Tammy Biery at 888-447-7032 or tbiery@resourcetraining.com

leading forward lifetouch scholarships

Photos submitted by Kelsie Becker,

Marketing & Communications

Manager, St. Cloud Christian

School

The warrior Serve program at St. Cloud Christian School pairs students with deserving organizations. Fifth graders serve police and fire fighters and 11th graders help out in habitat for humanity’s re-Store during a remodel.

Email your photos to tjohnson@resourcetraining.com to have them featured in the Communicator

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30-minute lunchtime exercise plan can help you get in shape!

from rebecca pierskalla, Certified Personal Trainer and

Certified Group InstructorThis program can be done two to three times per week, with at least one full day of rest between workouts.

Intensity: Program this routine as a circuit, moving from one exercise to another. If you’re newer to circuit training, rest 30-60 seconds between exercises or increase the intensity and rest for 1-2 minutes after completing one circuit. Begin by completing one circuit of all exercises. As you progress and get stronger, challenge yourself by completing the circuit 2-4 times.

warm-up: 5-15 minutes of cardio, like walking, riding a stationary bike or using an elliptical:

Step 1: Cat/Camel

• Shoulders stacked over wrists• hips stacked over knees• Inhale while lifting head & tailbone (camel)• Exhale while tucking chin & tailbone (cat)• Perform 12-15 reps with breath

Step 2: Push-ups

• Shoulders stacked over wrists• head & neck aligned with spine• Abs & back braced• Lower to 90 degree elbows• Add challenge by performing from toes• Perform 12-15 reps

Step 3: Body weight Squats

• Feet wider than hips, toes turned out slightly• Sit down & back like sitting in a chair• Keep weight in heels, abs & back braced• Perform 15-20 reps

Step 4: Lunges

• Feet wider than hips, toes turned out slightly• Sit down & back like sitting in a chair• Keep weight in heels, abs & back braced• Perform 15-20 reps

Step 5: Contralateral Limb raises

• Lift arm & opposite leg• Keep abs & back braced, head & neck aligned with spine• Perform 12-15 reps on each side

Step 6: Front Plank

• Shoulders stacked over elbows• Keep head & neck aligned with spine• Abs braced• Easier option is from knees• Perform 3-5 sets of holding for 5-20 seconds

Step 7: Side Plank

• Shoulders stacked over elbows• Keep head & neck aligned with spine• Abs braced• Easier option is from knees• Perform 3-5 sets by holding for 5-20 seconds

Cool Down: Cat/Camel (refer to step 1)

And that’s it! For more details on these exercises and others, go to http://www.acefitness.org/excercise-library/

half an hour is all it takes to

keep in shape

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whAT’S hAPPENINg AT rESOUrCE TrAININg & SOLUTIONSdr. david Walsh coming to st. cloudAcclaimed Author and one of the world’s leading authorities on family life, Dr. David walsh is coming to St. Cloud!

MarK Your calEndars! In an event cosponsored by resource Training & Solutions and the Diocese of St. Cloud, Dr. David walsh will give two presentations Sept. 30, 2013 at the river’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. An announcement will be made on our website and at Facebook.com/resourceTrainingSolutions when event registration is available. Cost for each presentation is expected to be only $5 for resource members.

Character traits like self-discipline, perseverance, respect, integrity and responsibility are key predictors of success and happiness. Those traits, however, are difficult to foster in a culture that glorifies violence and screams More, Fast, Easy, and Fun. The result is a fast growing virus called Discipline Deficit Disorder, or DDD, with symptoms including distraction, disrespect, impatience, sense of entitlement and self-centeredness. Dr. David Walsh will connect the dots between cutting edge brain science and practical advice that lead to strategies that are not only important for our children’s well-being but essential for improving classroom performance, our community’s future.

Dr. David walsh

Benefits of Cooperative Purchasing get personal too!

By anthony farag, cooperative purchasing specialist

You may already know that our group of more than 40 vendors provides special discounts to our member school districts for their purchases. But were you aware that some of them also offer benefits for personal purchases, too?

here are three vendors that offer you discounts on your personal purchases:

Brandl fleet servicesAuto and truck buying services. Tired of looking everywhere for the vehicle you want? have a professional do it for you! Contact Derek Johnson at (320) 229-1900 or derek@brandlautoconnection.com and let him know you are a member of the resource Training & Solutions cooperative.

Batteries plus Bulbs of st. cloudNow distributing light bulbs and batteries, Batteries Plus Bulbs has opened a second location in Sauk rapids. when purchasing just mention to the staff person that you are a member of the resource Training & Solutions cooperative to receive your discount. Discount may not apply to sale items.

OfficeMaxwe contract with OfficeMax to provide discounts to member organizations on several thousand items. You can get those same discounts, too. Carry the retail connect card in your wallet or purse. when making purchases at an OfficeMax retail store, just show the card at checkout and they’ll scan it. Any item you buy that qualifies for the member organization discount will apply to your purchase automatically!

It will show up with an asterisk next to the qualifying items on your receipt.

About 70 percent of the items in the retail store qualify for a discount, which range from five to 35 percent. The card can be used at any Office Max retail store.This card is not a billable card. Purchases are to be paid on the spot. Also, the card does not make your purchases tax-exempt. Schools will not be charged for purchases with these cards.

Need an OfficeMax digital retail connect card? Or have any questions? Contact Anthony Farag at 888-447-7032 or afarag@resourcetraining.com

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(continued from page 9)

In each case, the Leadership Academy has found an innovative way to help support its leaders. Since 2007, Leading Forward established a philosophy that the Leader is the Number One Learner, and consequently, the training modules emerges from those leaders’ identified learning needs. For example, the Instructional Coaching Academy was created to support the need for broad-based teacher involvement in peer feedback, observational fidelity, and assistance for teachers throughout all stages of their growth and professional engagement. The Mentorship Academy emerged next, with leaders calling for a strong support system for new and veteran teachers as they learn from each other and grow together. Improving the quality of leadership training by adapting the academy’s tools and professional learning modules is a joint effort within each academy.

Most states now have standards that define the basic leadership competencies that all principals should have. In 2010 alone, close to half of the nation’s state legislatures enacted laws to boost school leadership. Included were a number of measures specifically focused on better recruitment of principal candidates and improvement of training programs.

The good news is that since June 2012, over 350 administrators and instructional leaders have created a partnership model to support their leadership journey toward growth and effectiveness. They are matching the work they do on a daily basis with the Minnesota State Statutes, developing a regional model for transformational leadership development, and developing 3-5 year implementation plans for professional development to support their job-embedded structures for learning and leadership. With the guidance of the regional service cooperatives, each district who enters the service agreement is supported in the following ways:

•Leadership Academy (three days of training in the summer, five days of training throughout the year)

•Onsite-leadership learning modules for administrators and staff (six days, customized to fit emerging needs)

•Coaching for PLCs and administrators (as needed)

•Instructional Rounds with administration and staff

•Integration of Instructional Coaches and Mentors as onsite leaders in lesson-planning, peer coaches, and feedback processes

•Technical training to support software and data analysis

We believe that principals need high-quality mentoring and professional development once they’re on the job.

A job that can be lonely and stressful for new leaders who are leading changes needs other successful leaders who can support and pave the way toward sustainable change. Since the findings in the Wallace Foundation research points to the fact that “nothing prepares you for the job,” (2007, p. 6) it is essential that there be a regional support system to provide guidance, leadership support, and professional learning. Leading Forward’s Leadership Academy helps leaders develop a portfolio that demonstrates their competencies in regard to the state leadership requirements. In so doing, they walk into a supportive group of leaders who desire the common good.

What an amazing group!!!

As they engage in our service contracts to make teaching and learning everyone’s top priority, these leaders are learning how to coach teachers, transfer professional development for them into onsite learning for their staff, and use data to support student needs with targeted instructional strategies to close the learning gaps.

By Dr. Rebecca Koelln, Director of Leadership Development and Partnership Services

Effective Leadership is Contagious! Through model actions, leaders manage to change what people believe and the subsequent actions they take. The lever they use to bring about change is learning. Some leaders promote learning by modeling the behaviors and beliefs they promote and, in turn, bring about change through three key dimensions of professional learning that increases educator effectiveness and results for all students:

1. Skillful leaders develop capacity in others

2. Influential leaders advocate for professional learning

3. Action-oriented leaders create support systems for professional learning

Learning is change. The leaders who manage to connect learning to their goals have the power to move ideas and people forward.

As with every standard, fulfilling all aspects of the Leadership standard requires particular skills, knowledge, and dispositions. Systems that recognize this invest in developing such knowledge through professional learning for leaders themselves.

•Leaders learn how to coach teachers

•Leaders plan the proper professional development for staff

•Leaders use data to spot student needs

Take a collaborative approach, blending partnerships that promote in-house training, creating direct links with their own programs that stem from learning done together in regional leadership academies. In so doing, content and process are tied directly to their needs.

Leading Forward: Transforming Education in Minnesota has established regional leadership academies with Learning Sciences International, provider of iObservation and The Marzano Center. The districts, Leading Forward, and LSI are jointly designing the learning and leadership modules to promote excellence and instructional growth at all levels of the system.

(continued on page 10)

0709

effecTIve LeAdershIp

It’s contagIous!

visit the leading forward: Transforming Minnesota webpage: http://www.resourcetraining.com/Page/LeadingForward

Leading Forward: Transforming Education in Minnesota has established regional leadership academies with Learning Sciences International, provider of iObservation and The Marzano Center. The districts, Leading Forward, and LSI are jointly designing the learning and leadership modules to promote excellence and instructional growth at all levels of the system.

LEADINGFORWARD

TRANSFORMING MINNESOTA

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2013spelling Bee

spelling Bee participants

St. John’s University was buzzing Feb. 21 with the Central Minnesota regional Spelling Bee, sponsored by resource Training & Solutions. Two bees were held because of

the large number of participants. 51 competitors listed letters to become one of the four who advanced to the State Spelling Bee in Fergus falls Feb. 26. The four who advanced were:adam Johnson (morning winner) - sartell - st. stephenMadison daniels (afternoon winner) - Watertown-Mayer ali ophoven (morning runner-up) - home Educated Youth (st. Joseph)Morgan Tasler (afternoon runner-up) - East central schoolsThe winner of the state spelling bee will represent Minnesota at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in washington D.C May 26 to June 3.

From L to r: Ali Ophoven, Sandra Cordie, Adam JohnsonFrom L to r: Morgan Tasler, Madison Daniels

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Sam gohman AnnandaleJackson Mitchell Belgrade-Brooten-ElrosaJack Flicker Big LakeAllie Bahe Big LakeStephanie Jardine Big LakeEric Eskuri BrahamKacey wachholz Chisago LakesIris redland Chisago LakesAlex Schmidt Chisago LakesEmma Schildgen Chisago LakesNathan weckwerth Dassel-CokatoEleanor weckwerth Dassel-CokatoLogan rieder DelanoLucius La Fromboise DelanoMorgan Tasler East CentralShelby Kuechle Eden Valley-watkinsriley Erlandson FoleyJacob hutchins FoleySamuel gielen holdingfordAli Ophoven home Educated YouthBailey Vey KaleidoscopeSavannah Joldersma Litchfieldwilliam wicklund LitchfieldJohn reilley Maple LakeTania ramirez MelroseJaden Tvedt Mora

Morgan Tretter Onamiarichelle Buermann Paynesvillehannah Zeleny Pine CityEmma rayos PrincetonJaden Faddler PrincetonPenina Boros rockfordCarlie Mell rush CityAdam Johnson SartellMaia Kurvers SartellMonte Belmont SartellElle Christoferson Sauk rapids-riceDuncan Thomas Sauk rapids-riceCade Milton-Baumgardner Sauk rapids-riceJohn Byun St. Cloud Briana Cornell St. Cloud Vaughn Vosen St. Cloud Kaitlyn Klontz St. Cloud Alemni Yiran St. Cloud Nicholas Duncanson St. Cloud Lauren Loeffler St. Michael-AlbertvilleBennett Michaelson St. Michael-AlbertvilleKyla Schnell St. Michael-AlbertvilleSerena gjesvold St. Michael-AlbertvilleAlex Mikolchak STrIDE AcademyMadison Daniels watertown-Mayer

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2013

scIence rocks!hands-on scIence and nature conFerence

Astronomy, biology, botany, chemistry, cosmology geography, physics and various combinations of all these disciplines were crafted into classes by more than two dozen presenters from a variety of backgrounds.

Science was found in food as students dissected and then ate

squid (in the form of deep-fried calamari) in “have You Ever

Eaten a Mollusk?” taught by Pat O’Neal. Another tempting treat,

ice cream, was produced in Craig roerick’s “From Cows to

Cream.” Another class, “From Toilet to Tap,” (you read that right)

used simple chemistry and logic to show how dirty water is made clean.

Students learned how to make dirty water drinkable and learned that keeping

cost down is an important part of the process, too.It wasn’t just what we put into our bodies that were studied. They studied

the things that are already there. The deep red and bright pink hearts and lungs of pigs lay on trays for students to hold, squeeze and otherwise investigate under the supervision of a medical professional. It’s not every day that a student gets to touch a ventricle! In addition to seeing and handling these organs, kids learned what they do by getting EKgs and manipulating their pulse by engaging in varying levels of exercise. They learned how to measure their own pulse and those of patients.

“Bruce the Bug guy,” who has been providing hands-on insect education for more than a decade, was quite a treat for students, chaperones

Continued from cover

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scIence rocks!hands-on scIence and nature conFerence

and volunteers, some of whom handled a tarantula for the first (and perhaps only) time in their lives.

In Anna Schoeneberger’s presentation, “Star Struck!” students learned the origins of the names of constellations and even acted out the stories about how they came to be. They donned costumes and pretended to be queens and kings, and even the mighty Orion, complete with a star-studded belt. Some of the acting was quite impressive!

Other sessions examine what life might be like on other planets (where are the Aliens?), how roads are built - using Jell-O as their road material (Jell-O road) - and medical imaging (Exploration in Medical Physics). Potential pilots got to see what it’s like to fly a commercial jet and a helicopter. Young scientists used lasers to measure the thickness of their hair. Insatiable curiosity and intrigue were temporarily satisfied, if only for a day. Interest in science was piqued! Sessions ranged from serious to silly, but all of them provided an enriching learning opportunity and, for some, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

It’s difficult to find an absolute favorite session among the hundreds of glowing (not literally) evaluation forms collected after the event, but a few did stand out. The positive feedback received in the evaluations was fulfilling, but not as much as seeing the hundreds of smiles that hurried through hallways and hearing the laughs in the class.

The event is increasing in popularity from year to year. The next Science rocks! is scheduled Jan. 8, 2014. Many resource employees consider it the best day of the year to work! we hope you and/or your students will join us.

Above: Students watch “the pendulum snake” slither.Below: Nancy Altena shows students how to suture a dog’s intestine.

Above: Kathy Lutz explains to students how to investigate what’s happening in the woods