The annual physics regatta
Mrs. Prakash's Physics classes designed, measured, cut, and taped cardboard boats to try to make it across the pool carrying two people.
Students were provided a limited amount of cardboard and tape to make their boats as buoyant and watertight as possible after learning about density and fluids.
Physics students needed to consider mass, fluid dynamics, buoyancy, stability, and water displacement to build a successful boat.
This year we had two or three boats in each hour make it all the way across! Another incredible and memorable regatta in the books!
Podcasts
US History and Economics
Ms. Hockstad's US History and Mr. Breedlove's economics classes researched topics and recorded a podcast. Our very own professional podcaster Mr. Holloway taught some best practices in how to make high quality podcasts. Students were able to pick their own topics to research and cited their sources in the show notes.
Making things is cool
Psychology, HELA 10, World Geography Projects
HELA 10 students worked on their character traits for the lit circle final project
Girls Garage
We finally finished our Little Free Library!
Throughout the school year, Girls Garage worked on building a Little Free Library.
They learned to use a power drill, wood glue, clamps, band saws, and sawzalls.
Over the course of three club days, and later AST, it went from a pile of lumber to a little library!
They measured and cut the wood for the planter and door before connecting it to the library.
Then after sealing everything, they got to painting!
Attaching the door proved to be an excellent example of engineering and experimenting with the design.
The girls were determined to get the latch to measure up just right, it was perseverance to the extreme!
Next came attaching the posts and digging the post holes.
After pouring the concrete, it was held with supports while it solidified.
Et voila! We have some native clover and violets planted up top and are ready to fill the library! Great work from the Girls Garage crew!
Semester Summary
This semester, we saw 315 classes out of a total of 336 class periods! Of these 315 classes, 65 of them were new collaborations. We also were able to purchase some new laser cutters thanks to our BVEF grant. The new laser cutters fit perfectly in our revamped MakerSpace, known as the Beta. This allowed us to work with several classes in the last few weeks of school as students built meaningful learning experiences with library maker supplies. For libraries in Blue Valley, April was the month with the most circulated materials. We continued our work with close reads and have plans to help students practice these skills at every opportunity. We already have some new collaborations to begin the 2025-26 school year when we welcome 12 new teachers to the BVN Staff. We furthered our work on matching our collection to our population as well as replacing lost materials from the past five years and have some big ideas for grant opportunities next year. We are also now home to a Giving the Basics supply closet for students in need of hygiene, clothing, and personal supplies. Overall, the library program enhanced the learning of all students at BVN this year. With close reads, maker activities, and design thinking, we plan to continue this learning in the future.
Credits:
Created with images by firewings - "Wild flowers in green grass" • Pixel-Shot - "Headphones with microphone on color background"