AES Newskies 2023

Coding and Robots

Jett Clarence & Annabella Maupin

What is Coding?

Coding is when you program something like a game or a robot in a language a computer can understand.With coding, there are a lot of good qualities, and characteristics, like you can make an app that is for little kids or make an app that is for big kids. After all, the only limit is your imagination.

Coding can help you become more intelligent by enhancing your awareness of how to use tech.

Opinions on Coding

Ms. Ada is a STEM teacher. “Learning coding makes students stronger critical thinkers and problem solvers,” Ada said.

Shannon teaches coding at Pitkin County Library.

Shannon believes “It could help because the sky’s the limit, you could think of many ideas.”

What are Robots?

code except it can move like a human being, they can do stuff like cleaning, cooking, and help with chores and homework. Robots can also be found in games depending on the code you do. Robots can help with daily tasks de-

pending on how you code them or if you use voice commands or a controller. You can also make the robots do cool things like singing, dancing, and other stuff that entertains you.

Opinions on Robots

“Some robots I use with students are

Spheros and Lego robots,” said Ada. “My students were more enthusiastic about learning new things after building a robot,” said Shannon.

“I made a lot of robots that could do a lot of things and they were all very cool.

I’ve coded since I was 7 and coding has Maupin.

“I think coding and robotics can really help physically and mentally like Siri helps with info and Alexa can turn off the lights for you.”-Jett Clarence

The Coolest Thing in Fourth Grade

Quinn DuBoef

Have you ever heard of Sphero? A Sphero is a small spherical robot with a clear hard plastic cover. You usually start using Sphero in 4th grade in STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and Spheros, you will learn how to control and drive them around a course, then you will start using coding blocks to make the Spheros do more advanced things.

Different coding blocks give the Sphero different commands like speed, direction, color, and stop and start time. We will get to use Spheros even more in middle school with their STEM teacher, Frankie Gibson.

I interviewed her to learn more about Spheros. She told me how they work.

“They can move in any direction but what makes them remarkable is they

have these sensors so they can sense which way is up and down so they always stay upright.” Ms. Gibson said. Ms. Gibson also talked about how Spheros can teach you “everything from mathematical triangulation to reenacting historical events.

“The fourth graders here know that because we reenacted Paul Revere’s midnight ride with Spheros!”

Learning about Spheros has made me more interested in joining the LEGO League. Ms. Gibson said that “the Sphero technology is very similar to the robots that my students in LEGO League use.”

If you are in fourth grade and you like using Spheros, next year you could try joining the LEGO league! If you are not in fourth grade, now you have something to look forward to!

A E S NEW

Volume 1 May 2023

SKIES

Created by Students in 4th Grade Advanced Literacy Class

2 0 23

Quinn DuBoef

Choir Concert

Willa O’Doherty

A few months ago, AES had a choir concert.

It was conducted by Marnie White, who is the elementary school’s music teacher. It was an hour long, and those who were in it worked very hard.

Every Friday and sometimes Thursday morning the students would practice in Marnie’s music room.

Scarlett Gleason was a student in the choir concert.She was part of all three choir concerts, one last year and two this year.

“My favorite one was the one when I was in third grade,” Scarlett said. “I was nervous, but excited.”

Scarlett enjoys the choir concerts because she loves to sing.

Anna Taber was also in the previous choir concert. It did not take long for Anna to adjust

to singing out loud.

“My favorite part was when I was put right where the piano was so I could truly hear the wonderful music.”

She said. Anna has been doing choir concerts since third grade and hopes to try something new next year.

Last, but certainly not least…

Bella Maupin entered the stage with a happy and funky feeling. If Bella could rate the choir concert from a 1-5, it would be a 4.5. She says this because she thinks the songs are energetic and graceful. But the one thing that is challenging the rehearsals.

“It takes a lot of work.” Bella said. Her favorite thing about the choir concert is getting solos and speaking parts. “In the future, I hope to move on to playing an instrument. It gives your brain a boost and it’s FUN! I want to play the clarinet or the ukulele.”

AES Newskies May 2023 Page 2

Wolf Reintroduction

Liam Flynn

In 2020, Colorado voters decided whether they wanted wolves back in Colorado. I wanted to learn more about the question, “Do you think wolves should be introduced to Colorado and why?”

Personally, I think that reintroducing wolves could be a good thing for Colorado, but I think it’s pretty complicated. Because Proposition 114 which was a vote in 2020 that Colorado voters decided whether they wanted wolves back in Colorado. It was a really tight vote but it ended up winning, and got enacted into law so this year and for the past year CPW which is the Colorado Parks and Wildlife service has been coming up with a plan to do the introduction in a way that could be really successful but they’re running into some challenges because they are going to be reintroducing a Predator that hasn’t been introduced or been in Colorado for the last 200 years but had been in Colorado for 300,000 years prior to their removal.

Wolves are a predator some may say they’re apex predators they mainly hunt animals that are weak and sick so they vulnerabilities. This could be good for the environment because they are primarily hunting Animals that are sick. Also wolves have been shown to improve water sources because animals that graze like elk and deer are going to be their primary food sources, sometimes can cause water in certain areas to dry up and vegetation to die and not grow back. With the control of those populations maintain a healthy elk population and water supply and vegetation.

How will wolves being introduced affect humans?

It will affect humans a lot in Colorado because unlike some of the places that wolves have you been reintroduced in the US namely the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Yellowstone National Park Colorado has a lot more people so and these wolves will be reintroduced into areas like similar places like the Roaring Fork Valley that we live in and there’s populations of ranchers so people who own livestock for a living and sell it as well as Hunters who are hunting the elk in the deer populations to maintain them so it’s going to affect that might prey on some of the ranchers livestock and also that hunters might not be able to hunt as many elk. However, I know there’s a fear that wolves might attack humans but in a lot of the reintroduction methods and a lot of relationships with wolves around the world wolf attacks are very low and they’re not common at all they are likely to stay away from humans so I’m less concerned of you know run in be-

that there’s going to be a lot of conversations with ranchers and hunters about how we can reintroduce wolves so there we’re not affecting their livelihood because even some ranchers are using their private land for hunters to hunt

they’re not able to get as much business from Hunters on their land they might feel tempted to sell their land for our private development so the question is going to be about how we can ensure that people who own private land in Colorado can still feel that they can own the land for their purposes and that wolves aren’t taking over their their livelihood.

Does Pineapple Belong on Pizza?

Annabelle Coyle -

apple on pizza for a LONG time,2009

about this for 14 years, then it must be a good topic. And it is! After sending out a google form, thanks to Ms Lauren Michelis class!I have found that there are almost exactly the same amount of people who like it and people who don’t. The exact answers from March 13, 2023 read: 41.2% no, 11.8% I don’t know, and does pineapple belong on pizza?” The response “Yes” has overruled “no” by 6.3%! Now that’s what I call a close argument!

The entire argument of pineapple on pizza started in December of 2009. That is before all of the oldest students in the school were born!(2012-2013) Based on some digging, the whole argument started with an instagram post, featuring someone who easily said that pineapple does belong on pizza. Immediately, she was bombarded by comments saying: “No, It doesn’t! dislike,” or, “Omgg,lol, I TOTES agree, I’m following now!”

Or maybe even, “I don’t know or care.” But, going back to the survey, even the people who did think pineapple belongs on pizza do not eat it regularly. I believe that they just don’t have access to pineapple on pizza very often, but that sure does not stop them from thinking that pineapple belongs on pizza. Some people are VERY opinionated, because of the question, “ if you were starving, would you eat Hawaiian pizza?” It was split almost half and half, so some people are very opinionated to the point of DEATH! Also, on the question, “Do you feel strongly about your opinion?” 76.5% of people said yes, which is 17.6% of people said no, indicating that not everyone has access to pineapple pizza. In conclusion, the argument of pineapple on pizza has come to the end

Yes, pineapple does belong on pizza, but people will DEFINITELY keep arguing about this ageless argument. Big thanks to Rylee and Jasmine from Aspen High School for helping make this article happen!

Which skate park-Snowmass or Aspen?

Jaxon Lorentzen

There are many skate parks in Aspen. There is one that is good for learning and practice,this is the one near Clark’s Market. It’s good for people who want to try out skateboarding or just want to practice. It’s good for this because it has many different bowls for different levels and purposes. The main one is good for cruising and learning how to drop in from 4 ft to 6 ft with a nine foot in it.

You might also like the snowmass park near the snowmass rec center. This one has a couple big bowls and has a higher drop in ranging from 7 ft to 12 ft. This one is better for people who are close to pros at skateboarding. Both bowls are great for different reasons: the aspen on is better for beginners and practice while the snowmass is more for pros. Have fun!

Skiing or School

Clark Rowland

I believe kids should be allowed to leave school in order to ski with AVSC. Aspen is known for its great skiing, and people should be able to take advantage of the mountains. Some teachers believe that leaving early would affect kids’ learning. I think skiing and learning is a good balance for students. Amy, the middle school principal, says with her opinion, it can affect kids’ learning. Here are a few words regarding this topic from our middle school principal.

“AVSC has been very challenging for some of our middle school student athletes. When students miss classes, they are ultimately responsible for their own learning. Some of our athletes take online classes to ensure they are able to learn and grow outside of the regular school day. Some of our student athletes try to stay caught up through their teacher’s Google Classroom assignments,” Amy said.

Missing school can be hard for many student athletes to make up. Students who participate in AVSC miss school because of skiing a lot and so they have to do more work.

“This can be challenging because they are missing the instruction given by the teacher. Teachers do offer extra help at recess for students if they ask. I do think students should have some restrictions to ensure they do not fall behind in their learning. I am happy to look at each individual and make a plan that is

best for their needs. If a student is not maintaining passing grades or following school rules, I think they should lose the privilege of AVSC participation until this is corrected,” Amy said.

AVSC students can talk to their teacher before they leave for skiing to be better prepared when making up their work for school. This would help because students would be able to still ski but keep up with their school work better.

“I think it is an amazing opportunity to be able to be on the mountain during the school week. This training is a live, so if students and families commit to learning outside of the school day, I think it can be managed successfully.I do not think student athletes should be given extra-work, but rather be responsible for the learning that occurs during the school day. I would also limit the number of days that students miss school during the week. I hope that students can utilize their weekends for intense training in addition to a school day,” Amy stated.

Although teachers, principals, and more may think that it is a bad idea for students to miss school because of skiing, if students are able to talk with teachers and make plans about keeping up in school, missing school for skiing can be a good thing. Kids can do what they love to do while keeping up with school, this can make them happier which is really important.

SKIER OPINION May 2023 Page 3

Liam Flynn An AVSC racer on Highlands on a recent day.