Youth
www.GilbertSunNews.com
June 2015
31
Competition teaches Arete Prep students team building BY MEGHAN MCCOY
Students from Arete Preparatory Academy did not advance in the U.S. Department of Energy Office Regional Science Bowl, but they did walk away with a great team-building experience. “It’s a great chance for kids to get involved and meet friends and work as a team together,” said Rebekah Kienenberger, Arete Preparatory Academy lead science teacher and grant writer. “It’s something that our students really enjoy.” Three Arete Prep teams—one middle and two high school— competed in this year’s Regional Science Bowl. “This year we were just in the first round of competition,” said Kienenberger, who has coached the team for four years. “Last year they did well and happened to move onto the second round.” The regional competition includes science and math trivia with short answer and multiple-choice questions. She said the students have 5 minutes to buzz in and answer the questions. If they
are correct, they are then asked a bonus question for which the students have 20 seconds to collaborate as a team to answer. Kienenberger said it was inspiring to watch the 12 high school students work together to answer a geometry question. The kids learned to communicate with one another and solve questions. The questions touch upon physical, life and earth sciences, astronomy, energy, chemistry and math. “A lot of times, when we go to the competition, people take it really seriously,” Kienenberger said. “Unfortunately sometimes they are kind of poor sports. It’s all about fun and enjoying it and being a good team together. For our students, it is a chance for them to do something fun related to science outside of the classroom.” Kienenberger said each year the teams gain more students. They are recruited at the beginning of the school year via fliers, announcements and conversations in classes.
The Girl Scout in troop No. 1656 include, from left, Kate Newman, Ava Pace, Angelina Vargas, Olivia LaFleur and Miranda Vail. Submitted photo
Helping hands As part of its Junior Bronze Award Project, Girl Scout troop No. 1656 raised funds and collected books to supply a book cart for the Phoenix Children’s Hospital 22-bed inpatient unit at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center. Recently, the girls delivered the three-tiered book cart to the unit. They were able to collect
Engaging Curriculum Empowering Character Enriching Creativity Encompassing Community
enough books and raise enough money to supply the cart with two Nooks, crayons, markers and other writing utensils and more than 250 board books, reading books and activity books. The Phoenix Children’s inpatient unit at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center is incredibly grateful for the support from troop No. 1656, according to a press release. The girls’ generosity will be appreciated by many patients and their families. • Rigorous and Engaging Curriculum Aligned to Common Core Standards • Highly Qualified and Dedicated Teachers • Data Driven Instruction • Physical Education, Art and Music Classes • School Wide PBIS - Positive Behavior Interventions and Support Program • National School Lunch Program • After School Extra - Curricular Mustang Clubs • Free All Day Kindergarten • Kindergarten Readiness Program for Four Year Olds • Small, family-oriented campus • Active PTO and Community Involvement
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Pre-K - 6th Grade