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Autumn officially begins on Monday! Somehow in the last few years, I have become a “leaf peeper”... a “fall foliage fanatic”! I really do love Fall! Well… I love everything about the season except for the lack of daylight. Before the sun completely sets each night, I jump on the 4-wheeler and head “over the river and through the woods” in search of signs of fall. In the last few days I have seen wild turkeys scurrying about, deer enjoying the hilltop meadow, vegetation changing rapidly, leaves turning a shade of the fall color palette, squirrels lazily gathering nuts, and fall wildflowers in full bloom!
Long, long, long ago, I was a 4th grade math and science teacher; I think I get my keen observation skills and appreciation of change from my passion for these subject areas. Not only were these subjects fun to teach, but the skills taught have become increasingly important through the years.
Oakhill’s STEM Showcase allowed parents and students alike to witness the fun and importance of skills, critical thinking, observation, and experimentation as warranted in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics! As we bring out the “best” in our students, STEM becomes an area for many of our students to excel, and it was energizing to see this play out at the Showcase - from our youngest students to our 8th graders! If you were unable to be with us at the Showcase, click here for projects and pictures.
As I told the teachers - all of the teachers - I was so proud of their displays, activities, and demonstrations. You could feel the energy, expertise, and passion throughout the spaces; the “stemonstrations” (teachers were mic’d up) gathered a crowd and generated excitement! There was truly something for everyone - from tangrams to paper airplanes; from chemistry to coding…parents were able to witness the curriculum coming to life within the STEM department.
Every school “has” STEM/STEAM, but not every school integrates STEM into every classroom at all ages and stages. In many schools, students go to a space called the STEM room, but at Oakhill STEM is in every classroom - not as a designated area, but as a part of the overall curriculum. As you know, we intentionally send students to a Science Lab with a Science Specialist…we send students to the Innovation Lab with an Innovation/Engineering/Technology Specialist. And, we invest in professional development and training so all of our teachers are Math Specialists.
Many of our alumni go on to pursue degrees and careers in STEM, and those students credit Oakhill with creating that spark.
Reilly Nash, a recent Purdue graduate, is back in Kansas City training for his private pilot’s license in Cessna 172s. With 25 flight hours logged, he hopes to pursue a career in flight test or aviation engineering. Last fall, he presented diesel engine research at the American Physical Society’s Fluid Dynamics meeting.
I’ve spent time reflecting on ONE event, but we have many more to come.
During the next few weeks, you will have the opportunity to support the Helen Wills Golf Tournament (there are 5 teams left!), stop by our Kids Corner tent during Gladfest (or simply enjoy the community festival), volunteer at our Grandparent and Special Friends Day event complete with a Farmer’s Market and more, attend the Oakhill Drama Performance of Frozen, Jr., and/or enjoy our family fall party at Apple of our Eye Orchard!
My daughter, Brooke, turns 22 on the 24th! I know I am a broken record, but from someone who has “been there and done that” at Oakhill with my own children, I can’t reiterate enough how important it is to enjoy this special time at this special place! We are not here to overwhelm you with activities, events and opportunities, but to create these spaces to make moments and memories!
Enjoy the season of fall …the season of fun,
Suzanne