NASA Astronaut Kayla Barron Returns To Richland To Engage & Inspire Students
Students had a lot of questions for Lieutentant Commander Kayla Barron when the NASA astronaut returned to her hometown this past week.
Some questions were born from vivid imagination and wonder and maybe a little bit of silliness of our elementary students—“Have you seen an alien?” “Did you drink Tang?” “Is the moon made of cheese?”
Others from high school students demonstrated an understanding of Lt. Commander Barron’s journey to become and serve as a NASA astronaut—“Was it scary going to the space station?” “What was your first spacewalk like and how did you prepare?” “What has been your biggest obstacle?”
Answering those questions, showing students the work she engaged in on the International Space Station and even working with a few on a space exploration-themed project were all part of Lt. Commander Barron’s visit. Throughout it all her message to students was to push themselves toward their goals.
For a newly-rebuilt Tapteal Elementary, artist Melissa Cole sought to make a piece about the natural beauty of the area around the school as well as its history and community. She and school staff wanted students to take part in creating the art as well to further their connection to the school and community. This included actually helping to construct the pieces as well as providing some of the raw materials.
Hanford High Students Become Authors To Help Other Students
When Phil Cioppa told students in his American Literature classes at Hanford High School what he wanted to make one of their assignments into a published book, they didn’t believe him.
“When he said we should make it a book, everyone just laughed,” recalls junior Zak Demiter.
“I didn’t think he was serious,” added junior Anthony Garza.
But their teacher was serious. Now that assignment—each student’s reflection upon the challenges and difficulties they experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the advice they have for other teenagers on coping and moving forward—is available in hardcover and paperback. A book launch party for “Sincerely, Room 111: Voices of a New Era” on April 14 at the school gave all the students a chance to be recognized and celebrated for something that they didn’t think would actually happen.
When the students and staff of Badger Mountain Elementary moved to a temporary home as a new school was built on the current Badger Mountain site. they along with parents and community members shared their thoughts about the historic transition.
RSD Recognized For AP Success, Expansion
Advanced Placement (AP) courses weren’t on Cristofer Mixquitl’s radar when he began attending Richland High School.
And when he took his first one—AP World History—as a sophomore, he admits it wasn’t his favorite class at first.
“I used to get homework done quickly but now I really had to sit down, focus and think about it,” Cristofer says. It did not take long, though, for him to begin enjoying the challenge his AP courses provided.
“I can’t just skim something and find the answer,” he says. “I have to find the answer and really be able to say why that’s the answer.”
Cristofer is one of roughly 800 students taking and excelling in Advanced Placement (AP) courses at Hanford and Richland high schools. He is also part of the district’s growing number of students who are Latino, African-American or of other backgrounds who have historically not taken AP courses.
A $1,000 grant from the Dream Builder's Educational Network gave seventh-graders at Chief Joseph Middle School the opportunity to explore hydroponics, sparking their curiosity about where their food comes from and potential future careers.