THE COURIERPAGE 2 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009www.wcfcourier.com

By NANCY JUSTIS

newsroom@wcfcourier.com

WATERLOO — The design of the new George Washington Carver Academy speaks to the 21st cen-tury curriculum it will provide for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students, as well as to the areas meant for public use. The academy replaces Logan Middle School.

The fi rst STEM school in the state, where course electives emphasize science, technology, engineering and math, students will have access to hands-on practical learning environments while gaining exposure to pos-sible future careers.

To facilitate this learning expe-rience, Carver Academy will have two computer labs, teacher work areas for each grade level and a science lab for each grade.

“The media center is placed at a prominent central location in the core of the academic wing,” said Brad Leeper of Invision Archi-tecture, who designed the school. “Three individual smaller-scaled learning communities surround this space to create a more inti-mate sense of belonging for stu-dents. An open shared learning center surrounded by classrooms serves as the hub for each com-munity and creates transparent learning spaces where students can witness activities in adjacent learning areas.”

Leeper said large sliding doors close to modulate the degree of openness required for more inti-mate special projects. The STEM and traditional curriculums also are aided by interactive digital smart boards in each classroom.

The addition of the Dick Young Greenhouse is one way Carver Academy will have interaction with the community as a whole. Staff ed by a full-time Iowa State Extension horticulturist, it will serve as a learning lab for dis-trictwide students and a facility for master gardeners and com-munity gardens as well.

“Carver Academy is designed to form strong connections to

the larger community,” Leeper said. “A volunteer room near the main entrance encourages parent and community involve-ment. The community wing of the building is designed to be an after-school community resource center housing gymna-sium, performance stage, com-puter lab and meeting rooms.”

Interior and exterior trans-lucent panels provide natural light in many areas, says Travis Schwartz of Larson Construc-tion Co., builder of the school. “(The) media center/library and

gym off er a lot of natural light through clerestory glazing, where windows diff use light and pro-vide freedom from glare and heat. There is terrazzo fl ooring throughout the halls and common areas. Carver Academy has many similarities to the latest school designs which encourage interac-tion and centralized shared spac-es that decrease student travel throughout the facility.”

Success Street, a public health clinic also available in Logan Middle School, will move to the new location in Carver Academy.

“The school is carefully designed to zone these functions allowing these smaller areas to be opened for the public while separating the remaining por-tions of the school,” said Leeper.

Carver Academy will use about half the amount of energy “as a code based standard pub-lic school, saving an estimated $50,000 per year for the district,” Leeper said. “This was achieved while construction costs are 30 percent below other new junior high schools reported in the region.”

Features include a geother-mal heating and cooling system, water harvesting for lawn irriga-tion, the use of recycled mate-rials, natural ventilation, use of regional materials and LED lighting. Leeper said materials were used which will stand up to the abuse of a public school

environment while reducing maintenance costs.

“Durable materials such as stone, brick, burnished block and extended warranty roof systems are used to reduce the long-term life cycle costs to the district and ultimately the com-munity,” he said.

In addition to a STEM school, Carver Academy is one of the fi rst schools in the state designed using “a three-dimensional vir-tual model of the school, rather

than drawing two-dimensional lines that represent plans, eleva-tions and sections of a build-ing which most people typi-cally don’t understand,” Leeper explained. “The most signifi cant part of this leap forward is that it allows for staff , administration and design team to be ‘inside’ the building while the design is in process. It also allows for bet-ter coordination by the design team and fewer surprises in the fi eld during construction.”

Carver Academy state’s fi rst STEM school

BRANDON POLLOCK / Courier Staff Photographer

The new George Washington Carver Academy for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students replaces Logan Middle School.

CARVER ACADEMY

Business expoThe opening of George Wash-

ington Carver Academy signals reinvestment in an area of the community experiencing growth in the retail and service sectors.

The school will host to a com-munitywide event on Sept. 22, a Cedar Valley EntreBash & Small Business Expo, where entrepre-neurship will be celebrated and new area business start-ups will be showcased.

This expo is sponsored by the Waterloo Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation and the University of Northern Iowa’s Regional Business Center’s Cedar Valley MyEntre.Net program, which is a community of entrepreneurs and service providers who grow, learn and share online. The Entre-Bash & Small Business Expo will provide networking opportunities, visibility to new business, and showcase local ingenuity.

THE COURIER PAGE 3WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009 www.wcfcourier.com

By NANCY JUSTIS

newsroom@wcfcourier.com

WATERLOO — George Washing-ton Carver Academy is a fi tting

name for the new facility replac-ing Waterloo’s Logan Middle School. Open-ing in time for the start of fall class-es, the academy for sixth, seventh and eighth grades is the state’s fi rst STEM middle school, where

science, technology, engineer-ing and math will receive special attention in course off erings.

The attached Dick Young Greenhouse also will serve as a learning lab for area students, a base for master gardeners and a community-use facility.

When naming the new school, there were a couple of options, one being to continue using the name Logan.

“The Carver name had a lot of positive things associated with it because he was a scientist and because of his Iowa connection,” said Sharon Miller, Waterloo schools director of school and community relations. “The sci-ence part of STEM was a natural connection. He certainly was a good role model.”

Carver was born in 1864 and died in 1943. He was an educator, horticulturist, farmer and artist. He had ties to the state of Iowa, attending Iowa Agricultural Col-lege, now Iowa State University, where he received a degree in agriculture science in 1894.

Born the son of a slave near Diamond Grove, Mo., he and his mother were moved to Arkan-sas during the Civil War. Aban-doned after the confl ict, he was returned to his former master’s home. Though no longer a slave, he remained on the plantation until around age 10. At that point he left to get an education.

He performed whatever work he could fi nd in order to sur-

vive, including household tasks, hotel cooking, laundryman, farm laborer and homesteader. He earned his high school educa-tion in Minneapolis, Kan. When a Kansas university refused his admittance because of his color, he became the fi rst black student at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, where he studied piano and art. (Later in life, he spent con-siderable time painting fl owers, plants and landscapes.) He then transferred to Iowa State, receiv-ing a bachelor’s degree and a master of science degree in 1896. He became ISU’s fi rst African-American faculty member.

Carver moved to Alabama to direct the newly organized department of agriculture at the

Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, now Tuskegee Univer-sity, headed by Booker T. Wash-ington. Carver remained there the rest of his life.

He developed 300 new prod-ucts derived from peanuts, sweet potatoes and soybeans. He helped revolutionize the South’s agricultural economy which was struggling with the single-crop cultivation of cotton. In 1914, as the boll weevil nearly ruined cot-ton growers, he fi nally revealed his experiments to the public.

Carver was elected to Britain’s Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Com-merce in 1916. He was presented the Spingarn Medal from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peo-ple, a doctorate from Simpson in 1928, the Roosevelt Medal for Distinguished Service to Science in 1939, was given a doctorate from the University of Roches-ter in 1941, the Thomas A. Edi-son Foundation Award in 1942 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Great Americans in 1973 and the National Inventors

Hall of Fame in 1990.He turned down an invita-

tion to work for Edison. He was visited by Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Franklin D. Roos-evelt. He counted Henry Ford and Mohandas Gandhi as friends. He was highly sought-after for his expertise in agricultural matters. Joseph Stalin in 1931 invited him to oversee cotton plantations in southern Russia. Carver refused.

In 1940, he donated his life savings to the establishment of the Carver Research Founda-tion at Tuskegee for continuing research.

“I fi nd it very fi tting Iowa’s fi rst STEM middle school will hold the name of George Washington Carver,” said Paxton Williams, executive director at the Carver National Memorial. “The role the state of Iowa played in Dr. Carver’s development is well-known, as is his role as a creative scientist, chemist, and developer of products that made life better for many.

“Known in his time as the ‘father of chemurgy’, the pre-cursor to today’s biotechnology

movement, Dr. Carver is equally regaled today by the local foods movement and as a pioneer in inquiry-centered learning. Dr. Carver believed that ‘since new developments are the products of a creative mind, we must there-fore stimulate and encourage that type of mind in every way possible.’

“George Washington Carver Academy will honor Dr. Carver’s legacy by doing what he did best — serving as a catalyst for edu-cational attainment and provid-ing encouragement to young and old alike to expand the bounds of human discovery.”

Williams pointed out that Carver mentored a young Henry Agard Wallace, Wallace men-tored Norman Borlaug and Dr. Borlaug changed the world with his Green Revolution.

“Now, the institution named in George Washington Carver’s honor, this Carver Academy, will continue the work of these great men by giving the students the tools they need to also make their communities and the world a better place,” Williams said.

George Washington

Carverscience pioneer

Carver a fi tting model for new school“The role the state of Iowa played in Dr. Carver’s development is well-known.”

Paxton Williamsexecutive director at the Carver National Memorial

CARVER ACADEMY

THE COURIERPAGE 4 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009www.wcfcourier.com

By NANCY JUSTIS

newsroom@wcfcourier.com

WATERLOO — George Washing-ton Carver Academy, Waterloo’s newest middle school, is unique in many ways, not the least of which is the addition of the Dick Young Greenhouse. The idea began in casual conversations and has been transformed into a horticultural education site for the community as a whole.

“It is the positive result of a remarkable partnership between Iowa State University Extension in Black Hawk County and the Waterloo Community Schools, with a generous funding com-mitment from the Young Family Foundation,” said Julie Evenson, selected as the full-time staff person to oversee the green-house’s operation. “It will serve as a true community educational resource — available to all chil-dren, youths and adults in Black Hawk County.”

The Young Family Foundation donated $200,000 for construc-tion of the greenhouse in mem-ory of Dick Young, a Waterloo businessman and philanthropist who died in 1996 at age 81. The foundation was formed to aid in natural resources and recreation enhancement.

“My father, he was a big gar-dener,” said Rick Young. “He got involved in preserving land along the Upper Iowa River. He worked with the Iowa Natural Heritage to buy and preserve property. He helped start the bike trails in Iowa, the Cedar Valley Nature Trail. Dick liked to be outdoors, doing things with his hands, fi shing and hunting, then gar-dening. We thought supporting the greenhouse was a natural for us.”

The multi-purpose facility will serve as a learning environment by providing a working lab for botany and plant science classes. Carver Academy is the state’s fi rst STEM school, where sci-ence, technology, engineering and math will receive particular emphasis in course off erings. As

a result of the greenhouse addi-tion, horticulture will be inte-grated into the curriculum. It also will be a resource for other schools in the district and the rest of the county; will serve as a center for school campus beau-tifi cation projects; will facilitate youth entrepreneurship pro-grams based in horticulture science; and will help inspire career exploration opportuni-ties, including minority student recruitment into agricultural careers. It will serve as a base for community gardens and master gardener classes.

“The Dick Young Greenhouse

is a wonderful addition to Carver Academy,” said Principal Brad Schweppe. “It will provide our students the opportunity to apply the knowledge they learn in class on a daily basis. It will bring sci-ence to life. The greenhouse will be a wonderful resource for the community as a whole.”

“It will be fully utilized through-out the school day, but also in the evenings, on weekends and dur-ing the summer,” said Evenson. “Programming opportunities for youth will include serving as a school curriculum resource, a working laboratory and weather station, and will allow explora-

tion in career development. It will be a county-wide fi eld trip destination.

“Family and adult opportuni-ties include serving as a com-munity gardening resource, food and nutrition education, com-munity beautifi cation and retire-

ment community programming. It will also facilitate horticulture seminars and symposiums.”

The 1,080-square-foot facil-ity has an outside entrance with access to parking and restrooms.

CARVER ACADEMY

Greenhouse a unique feature of new school

BRANDON POLLOCK / Courier Staff Photographer

The Dick Young greenhouse was named in memory of Dick Young, a Waterloo businessman and philanthropist who died in 1996 at age 81.

See GREENHOUSE, page 5

THE COURIER PAGE 5WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009 www.wcfcourier.com

3420 University Ave. Suite B, Waterloo, Iowa Phone: 319-234-6811 www.extension.iastate.edu/blackhawk

Iowa State University Extension in Black Hawk Countyis proud to our unique partnershipwith the Waterloo Community Schools.

, a community educational resource, was made possible by this partnership, along with a generous grant from the Young Family Foundation and the support of a broad community collaborative. It now stands as a cornerstone of the new George Washington Carver Academy, the result of a vision to offer exceptional horticulture education to all children, youth, adults and seniors in Black Hawk County.

The Opportunities:• School curriculum resource and field trip destination• Working laboratory and weather station• Community gardening resource• Facilitation of public garden seminars and symposiums• Support of Black Hawk County Master Gardeners initiatives, classes and meetings.

Celebrate

CARVER ACADEMY

It has controlled access to the rest of the school. An addition-al 586-square-foot work space provides potting and staging areas for projects. It is contiguous to a science/lab classroom with the latest technological updates. There is a working weather sta-tion sitting atop the greenhouse which is computer operated and accessible.

“This kind of augmentation is certainly unique,” said Sharon Miller, director of School and Community Relations. “Stu-dents will be able to open enroll to attend Carver if they are par-ticularly interested in the STEM emphases. Course names are unique to Carver and focus on helping kids understand what some of their choices for the future are.”

“The reason that this fabulous educational greenhouse is a real-

ity is the support and involve-ment of our entire community,” said Evenson. “If there is a class you would like to see off ered, an idea for programming, or would like to volunteer your own knowl-edge as an educator or volunteer, please let us know. This is a com-munity facility — envisioned by

the community, made possible by the community, and will be successful with continued com-munity involvement.”

“What makes you happy is if you go by a project you’ve funded and there are a lot of cars there,” said Young. “Then you know it’s being used.”

BRANDON POLLOCK / Courier Staff Photographer

The Young Family Foundation donated $200,000 for construction of the greenhouse in memory of Dick Young.

GREENHOUSEFrom page 4

THE COURIERPAGE 6 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009www.wcfcourier.com

By ANDREW WIND

Reprinted from The Courier

WATERLOO — Larry Martin worked at the computer, a small disc-shaped robot on the table next to him.

An image of the two-wheeled Parallax Scribbler appeared on the Logan Middle School sixth-grader’s screen. He typed in sev-eral time adjustments and clicked on an icon to download the infor-mation. Martin was program-ming the Scribbler to negotiate four turns in a maze teacher Del-bert Neely created last month for his industrial technology classes.

“When we started it at fi rst, we had to test it and see how far it would go in a second,” said Mar-tin. Then he estimated the time needed before each turn in hopes of keeping the robot from crash-ing into the maze’s wall.

It was a lot of trial and error, but Martin is anxious to keep learn-ing about robots. “I want to do more,” he said.

Martin will get his wish when George Washington Carver Academy opens, replacing Logan. Carver will have a Science, Tech-nology, Engineering and Math —or STEM — emphasis that may be unique among Iowa middle schools.

Jeff Weld, director of the Iowa Math and Science Education Partnership at the University of Northern Iowa, pointed to two other programs across the state that include a math or science emphasis.

The Regional Academy for Math and Science opened last fall as a collaboration between Oelwein schools and North-east Iowa Community College. Also, Des Moines Public Schools have an energy and sustainabil-ity program at Central Academy. Both are at the high school level, though.

Weld called the Carver program “a pretty unique animal for that age group.” He added, “This is a bold adventure. There’s no road map they’re following; they’re pioneers.”

Robotics is only one subject stu-

dents will be exploring. Courses are planned in applied math-ematics and technology, where students are taught concepts through the lens of real-world uses. Hands-on architectural and mechanical engineering classes will be off ered, allowing students to design and build model struc-tures and simple machines.

“Industrial tech is woodwork-ing” to a lot of kids, said Neely. “Next year, things will be a lot diff erent.” His students will study everything from computer-assisted drafting to electronics.

He has kits for one class with components like motors, gears, wiring, axles and wheels. Stu-dents will be able to create such mechanisms as pulleys and belts or a simple gear train with an idler. They will do three-dimen-sional computer modeling to design miniature bridges or build model planes launched with rub-ber bands to study fl ight.

In addition, students will be able to work with plants in a botany class at the school’s Dick Young Greenhouse. Some other subjects tied to the greenhouse will include meteorology, ecol-

ogy and environmental science.“It provides a working labora-

tory, a learning lab, for the stu-dents,” said ISU Extension horti-culturist Julie Evenson, who will have an offi ce next to the green-house and work closely with the school.

“Having access to the Dick Young Greenhouse is something that is a unique opportunity for us,” said Logan Principal Brad Schweppe, who will lead Carver next fall. It will move learning from “the pages of a textbook” to “a real-life hands-on activity. This is an opportunity to create relevance and engagement for these kids.”

The STEM emphasis won’t take the place of the required core classes, although it may impact how some are taught.

“We’ve expanded the amount of time we are able to off er elec-tives,” said Schweppe, noting a skills period is being restruc-tured. “We will still be teaching the district core curriculum. We will still have regular classes in reading, language arts, science, social studies and math.

“But any opportunity to bring

the STEM ideas into those class-es, we will do that,” he said. For example, when students are studying a concept like main idea in reading class, “there’s no rea-son why we can’t use a science- or technology-related piece of literature.”

The point is engaging students and making what is taught rel-evant to their lives.

“Those two things will help breed success across all the disciplines in education,” said Schweppe. “These classes will not be too diffi cult for our stu-dents. When we make the mate-rial interesting and exciting, stu-dents will be able to handle the information.”

He added, “I believe (the STEM emphasis) will have a huge impact in every area of their education and, therefore, in every aspect of their life.”

Touching the futureWork on developing the STEM

curriculum has been ongoing this year and will continue into the summer. Teachers have been aided in their eff orts by the Iowa Math and Science Education

Partnership and the Black Hawk County offi ce of Iowa State Uni-versity Extension.

UNI adjunct instructor Jill Humston, the partnership’s for-mer project coordinator, put the school in touch with professors to help develop curriculum.

“Basically, we’ve got experts in the fi eld here who are lend-ing their assistance as (Logan teachers) build the curriculum,” she said. “My interpretation of how this is going is the school and administration and teachers have come up with some ideas, and we’re simply acting as a resource.”

The educators are ensuring les-sons align with the Iowa core cur-riculum as they are developed.

“I would say that we’re not try-ing to reinvent curriculum,” said Humston. “There’s certainly a wealth of curriculum out there.”

Logan administrative assistant and science teacher Albert Wig-gins has worked on the program’s schedule as well as introduction to chemistry, introduction to physics and forensics classes.

Congratulations,Waterloo CSD on the

George Washington Carver Academy

Thank you for selecting us to partner with you to increase the educational opportunities

in the Cedar Valley.

Waterloo - Des MoinesP: (319) 235-0650 P: (515) 251-7280

...and thank you for chosing us for your sheet metal work.

We are proud to be a part of this wonderful

new facility.

ongratulationsC

CARVER ACADEMY

Carver Academy ‘a bold adventure’ for middle schoolers

See STEM, page 7

THE COURIER PAGE 7WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009 www.wcfcourier.com

The idea is to “off er a little more depth as well as a little more real-world application” in each of the subjects, he said. “With math, often we’re asked ‘When am I going to use this in real life?’” Applied math classes will be taught in the context of real-world uses for concepts, such as measuring a room to install carpet or creating a household budget.

Organizers contend the STEM emphasis will help students in a world where science and technol-ogy are increasingly important.

“In my mind, this is a life-form-ing opportunity that is available to students,” said Al Ricks, the county’s ISU Extension director. “The whole STEM initiative will equip young people to compete in the 21st century”

Wiggins said it will fi t well with high school career acade-my options being developed at Waterloo Community Schools. He believes it will help students begin focusing on career goals.

“Growing up, I went to a (Roch-ester, N.Y.) middle school simi-lar to what we’re proposing for STEM,” said Wiggins. Students then applied to high schools focusing on specifi c career areas.

“What that did was it started me to thinking what I wanted to be,” said Wiggins. “Now is the time to start exploring (STEM careers) and see if this is what they want to be.”

Weld said the demand for peo-ple to work in STEM fi elds like health care, bio-sciences, infor-mation technology and advanced manufacturing “is intensify-ing with every passing year.” He expects “a legion of inspired kids” to come out of Carver, some of whom will consider STEM careers and enroll at UNI after high school. Weld believes Carver will become a model for the state and hopes other schools begin similar programs.

“All the life skills of a 21st cen-tury citizen can be balled up in a math and science learning con-text,” Weld said. “I’m quite excit-ed that this is touching the future of where schools need to go.”

CARVER ACADEMY

Uniform dress code in force at Carver Academy

WATERLOO — The Partners in Education program plays an active role at Carver, formerly Logan Middle School.

As the school/business part-nership program that enhances the social and academic growth of students, these partners and their signing date are listed below:

Allen Health Systems, June 2, ■

1986.Logan Ave. HyVee, Feb. 23,

2004.Tri City Clothing, The War-

ner Group Inc., Craft Cochran Inc., Gates Neighborhood Asso-ciation, Dec. 13, 2004.

Advantage Screen Print & Embroidery, Dec.12, 2005.

Antioch Baptist Church, Oct. 22, 2007.

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St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Oct. 22, 2007.

Wartburg College, April 13, 2009.

Activities during the past year have included partner reading with sixth-graders, e-pals with several eighth-grade classes, etiquette luncheons for each eighth-grade student, citizen-ship luncheons for selected

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students at all grade levels and quarterly star receptions for honor roll students.

The partners meet monthly at the school to guide the partner’s work. To learn more about join-ing the partnership program at Carver, contact Trela Rotting-haus at the school or by email at rottinghaust@waterloo.k12.ia.us.

Partners in Education will play an active role at Carver Academy

WATERLOO — When George Washington Carver Academy opens later this month, students will enter a new building with new dress requirements.

They will have choices of colors and styles of polo or dress shirts, pants and skirts, but attire must conform to standards. Colors for tops are navy blue, light blue, white, grey or black, while pants or skirts must be black, khaki, o navy blue. Shoes must be closed toe.

Albert Wiggins, administrative assistant as Carver, says that uni-forms have been well-received by parents. “We know that kids

raise their standard of behavior when they are dressed in uni-forms. There’s less distraction about who’s wearing what latest style. There’s less peer pressure. Students can focus more on aca-demics. Parents save money with these standard clothes. We’ll help with a uniform closet to pass along gently used cloth-ing, and we’ll have scholarships to help families get the uniforms they need.”

Shirts Must be tucked in. Solid colored polos in navy

blue, light blue, white, grey or

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black. School logo will be avail-able but not required. Shirts with other logos will not be allowed.

Dress shirts with collars in navy blue, light blue, white, gray or black.

School-designed shirts including T-shirts, sweatshirts and jackets.

Pants/skirtsSolid-colored pants in black,

khaki or navy blue.May only be one size larger

than waist measurement.Must be worn with a black or

brown belt.No cargo or carpenter style,

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corduroy, patterns, denim, rivets, large brand tags, or strings; no shorts; no decorative buckles.

Girls: skirts in black, khaki, or navy blue. All skirts must fall below the knee.

FootwearClosed-toe shoes only.Athletic shoes in primarily

one color. Solid colored socks in black,

khaki, navy blue or white. Girls: toe-in tights or hosiery

in skin tone, black or navy. For more information on uni-

forms, contact Wiggins at 433-2501.

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STEMFrom page 6

THE COURIERPAGE 8 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009www.wcfcourier.comCARVER ACADEMY