Thanks to funding from Polk County Community Foundation, Polk County Schools once again offered AIG Summer Seminars for students during July and early August.

Polk County Schools instructors Susie Walker, Linley Foster, Elisa Flynn, Stephanie Luedi and Chris McGee facilitated these week-long enrichment opportunities for students.

Rock On

Students were immersed in the world of rocks in the Rock On seminar.

Students explored the rock cycle through multiple hands-on activities, and learned about the different ways rocks are created and reformed. Students learned how to sort and label rocks, and what characteristics are used to identify them.

Students were able to grow their own crystals, and collect new rocks and geodes. Students ended the week with a field trip to Broad River Gem Mine, where they mined their own rocks, and used what they had learned during the week to identify their findings.

Robotics and Engineering

Students explored remote-operated robots using a drone, a Sphero and a Dash robot. They also engineered multiple attachments for the robots to achieve set tasks and compete in given missions. 

Polk County High School teacher Leslie Rhinehart and her son, Sam, a PCHS graduate studying mechatronics at University of North Carolina Asheville, visited the students to discuss robotics, engineering and classes offered throughout middle and high school to set them up for success in robotics and engineering hobbies and careers.

Learn. Explore. Create

Students created stop motion videos, and incorporated the use of a green screen to add to their productions.

Booklovers BOB (Battle of the Books)

Elementary and middle school book lovers spent the week reading and preparing for the 2018-19 Battle of the Books competitions. They created videos of book talks, scenes from favorite books and book trailers.

Water Stewardship 

Students learned about local water sources, pollution levels and stewardship of this vital natural resource. They visited local ponds and streams to learn about the delicate ecosystems, and the difficult challenge of keeping waterways clean.

Participants also took a trip to the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education.

– Submitted by PolkStudents.com