JANUARY 29, 2016 THE WOODLANDS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sophomores - Big Bend National Park. 5800 ACADEMY WAY . THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS 77384 . 936-273-2555 . WWW.TWCA.NET STEM Funds In Action! Our annual Warrior Fund this year featured an option for donors to contribute to specific areas of need at Woodlands Christian. One of those areas was STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) materials for our classrooms. Once all funds were accounted for, orders for materials were placed and now those materials are being delivered and put to good use in classrooms all over campus. One of the more exciting additions is the purchase of three 3-D printers. These printers will be used in lower and upper school art classes, in high school computer classes, and middle school science. The printers have been installed in the art and computer classrooms and the middle school printer will be installed in the very near future. Faculty members can’t wait to unlock the potential use of the printers with their students. Students will be able to use a specialized 3-D application on their computers to work collaboratively to design objects. “The joy will be seeing the collaboration results at the end of the project,” said art teacher Mrs. Susan Peterson. “I can get students thinking in 3-D in another medium, almost like architecture. They will be able to look at an object from all sides which will lead to more creative problem solving skills.” Mrs. Peterson plans to use the 3-D printer and appropriate software with students in 3rd-5th grade. In high school, computer teacher Wouter Westerduin is, in his words, “super excited” to have this tool. “The possibilities are endless. Students will now be able to learn to think in another dimension. They are fascinated by the printer and are anxious to begin working with it.” The 3-D printer will give students the opportunity to combine their computer skills with chemistry for example, by creating molecular models or physics by creating a bridge that can hold a pre-determined amount of weight. Should the need arise, students in Mr. Westerduin’s robotics class will even be able to produce replacement parts for their robots. As you will see in the articles that follow, recently purchased STEM materials are in use all across campus. The future is NOW thanks to your generous contributions to our Warrior Fund! Items produced with 3-D printer located in the art classroom. 3-D printer in high school computer classroom, filament used in the printer and figures produced using the printer.
Transcript
JANUARY 29, 2016
THE WOODLANDSC H R I S T I A NA C A D E M Y
THE WOODLANDSCHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Sophomores - Big Bend National Park.5800 ACADEMY WAY . THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS 77384 . 936-273-2555 . WWW.TWCA.NET
STEM Funds In Action!
Our annual Warrior Fund this year featured an option for donors to contribute to specific areas of need at Woodlands Christian. One of those areas was STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) materials for our classrooms. Once all funds were accounted for, orders for materials were placed and now those materials are being delivered and put to good use in classrooms all over campus. One of the more exciting additions is the purchase of three 3-D printers. These printers will be used in lower and upper school art classes, in high school computer classes, and middle school science. The printers have been installed in the art and computer classrooms and the middle school printer will be installed in the very near future. Faculty members can’t wait to unlock the potential use of the printers with their students. Students will be able to use a specialized 3-D application on their computers to work collaboratively to design objects. “The joy will be seeing the collaboration results at the end of the project,” said art teacher Mrs. Susan Peterson. “I can get students thinking in
3-D in another medium, almost like architecture. They will be able to look at an object from all sides which will lead to more creative problem solving skills.” Mrs. Peterson plans to use the 3-D printer and appropriate software with students in 3rd-5th grade. In high school, computer teacher Wouter Westerduin is, in his words, “super excited” to have this tool. “The possibilities are endless. Students will now be able to learn to think in another dimension. They are fascinated by the printer and are anxious to begin working with it.” The 3-D printer will give students the opportunity to combine their computer skills with chemistry for example, by creating molecular models or physics by creating a bridge that can hold a pre-determined amount of weight. Should the need arise, students in Mr. Westerduin’s robotics class will even be able to produce replacement parts for their robots. As you will see in the articles that follow, recently purchased STEM materials are in use all across campus. The future is NOW thanks to your generous contributions to our Warrior Fund!
Items produced with 3-D printer located in the art classroom.
3-D printer in high school computer classroom, filament used in the printer and
Not all of the STEM materials recently purchased through your support of the Warrior Fund are high tech, some are high touch! While computers and technology enhance the classroom experience, working together in a group using manipulatives is still an effective (and fun!) way to learn.
Photos courtesy of Tanya Sharron & Cassandra Yearwood.
Hands On STEM
First grade students learning with math manipulatives. (Photos at left and right)
A sampling of materials purchased for first grade along with a heartfelt thank you! (Photo at center)
6th grade students use VersaTiles, a tool which combines the challenge
of a puzzle with math skills practice.
Teachers Receive OSMOS Training Pre-kindergarten teachers recently received training on OSMOS a high-tech, high-touch system that combines digital learning through creative iPad applications with physical, real-world pieces that students can
touch and move. OSMOS interacts with five applications as follows: Words (alphabet and spelling), Tangram (visual and spatial puzzles), Newton (critical thinking/engineering), and Masterpiece (drawing/writing). OSMOS creates tangible play though its fusing of the digital and real world. Students physically manipulate number tiles, letter tiles and tangram shapes as well as interacting with on-screen activities using pen and paper. Many games can be played with another student creating opportunities for collaboration with a real person, not just a screen! The applications are self-paced which allows for differentiation based on students abilities and interests. To learn more
about OSMOS click here. Information submitted by Janet Coe.
High school biology students have been studying cellular respiration, the process by which living things utilize oxygen to harvest energy from food and, as a result, produce carbon dioxide. In past years, complex lab set-ups were required to collect data about this process. Now, through the generosity of TWCA families, monies from the Warrior Fund were used to buy reaction chambers and probes that can measure concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide gas. Students in AP Biology classes recently designed their own experiments and used this equipment to investigate cellular respiration in peas, mice, and lizards. Possessing the knowledge of how to use equipment like this, students will be well ahead of their peers when they take science classes in college.
Information submitted by Jessica McKenney.
High School Students Compete In Science Quiz Bowl
STEM Funds Used To Enhance Science Lab
The Woodlands Christian Academy Science Bowl team advanced to the championship round of the Senior High School Science Bowl tournament held at Lone Star College on January 22. The Warriors performed very well throughout the competition winning a total of five matches. The championship round was especially exciting as the match went into overtime with the team from Magnolia High School barely edging out Woodlands Christian resulting in a second place finish for the Warriors. The Science Bowl competition is part of the SCI://TECH exposition sponsored by the Education for Tomorrow Alliance. A total of 13 teams competed in the event. The majority of the contestants were from CISD schools and Magnolia High School. Woodlands Christian was the only private school participating in the tournament. The teams competed with each other by answering questions covering general science, biology, chemistry, physics, earth and space science, energy and math. Congratulations Warrior Science Scholars!
Information & photos submitted by Charles Mooney, Science Bowl Team Sponsor
No animals or reptiles were harmed in these experiments.
Science Bowl team members Andrew Bagnoli, John Harkins, Matthew Dew, Matthew Michel and Deen Osman.
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT NEWS
JANUARY 29, 2016
Warrior Basketball Update
Both the boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball teams enjoyed a much needed day of rest this week after their games against Faith West this past Friday. The boys came away with a 48-39 victory over Faith West bringing their district record to 4-1. The girls posted a 32-42 loss. Their district record now stands at 2-3. The Warriors are on the road Friday, January 29 against St. Joseph and will return for three home games beginning Tuesday, February 2 when they host Lutheran North. This game will be followed by Logos Prep on Friday, February 5. The Warriors’ home stand culminates with the 4th annual White Out against St. Thomas Episcopal on Tuesday, February 9. Tip-off for all three games is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (girls varsity) and 7:30 p.m. (boys varsity).
Warrior fans, let’s fill the stands on February 9!
WOODLANDS CHRISTIAN BASKETBALL
Be A Part Of The 500! Join us for our 4th annual White Out game on February 9
when our boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball teams take on St. Thomas Episcopal. Our goal is to have 500 excited Warrior basketball fans in the stands
that evening all decked out in white, and we want you to be in that number!.
Show your Warrior pride by wearing one of our White Out shirts designed especially for this event!
Order your White Out spirit shirt by clicking here. All shirts are $15. Deadline for orders is Wednesday, January 27.
Shirts will be available for pick-up in The Armory on Friday, February 5.
Congratulations to the Warrior swim team for finishing in third place at the regional swim meet held at The University of Houston on January 26. In the process, the team brought home six gold, six silver and three bronze medals! Both the girls' and boys' 200 freestyle relay teams were regional champions. These same teams of Katie Albertson, Hannah Bub, Hailey Hanigan, Meredith Frey, Jake Copeland, Danyon Decker, Colin Murphy and Mason Swanner swam to a second place finish in the 400 freestyle
relays. Katie Albertson medaled with a second place finish in the 50 freestyle and a third place finish in the 100 freestyle. Hailey Hanigan was a silver medalist in both the 100 butterfly and the 100 backstroke. Jake Copeland swam a personal best time in the 100 freestyle with a very close second place finish. Additionally, Jake received a silver medal in the 50 freestyle. Mason Swanner added to team points with his two bronze meals in the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke. Hannah Bub and Colin Murphy rounded out the team points with regional championship swims in their individual events. Bub
won the gold in the 200 freestyle and the 500 freestyle where she achieved a personal best time. Murphy earned gold in the 200 and 500 freestyle races. The Warriors now look ahead to the state championship meet to be held in San Antonio on February 12. The competition will be very tough, but the swimmers look forward to the challenge!
Information & photos submitted by Coach Kathryn Bub.
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT NEWS
JANUARY 29, 2016
Warrior Swim Team Places Third In Regionals
Warrior Baseball Update
The Warrior varsity baseball team will host a special Saturday afternoon scrimmage with the West Houston Thunder on January 30. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
Sophomores - Big Bend National Park.
All School News
JANUARY 29, 2016
Thanks for your wonderful support of the Critical Conversations event!
If you were unable to attend the presentation please click here to learn more about the resources
available through Info For Families.
Watch Me! Woodlands Christian students and faculty took Facebook by storm
this weekend with our Watch Me! video - our most popular post to date!
Check out the video here!
Spotlight Your Business Or Service In The Woodlands Christian Academy Yearbook!
The Woodlands Christian yearbook staff would love to feature your business or service in a full color advertisement in our upcoming yearbook!
Full page options are available for $200. Half page options are available for $100.
For more information please contact the yearbook staff at [email protected] Thank you!
