Rachel Pearsall, 11, had just decorated her miniature Pinewood Derby car with the words “Hi,” “Peace, Love, Death,” and “sponsored by www.fake.com.”
And now that the wooden car was looking good, it was time to test it.
Rachel grabbed two axles and some wheels and attached them to the car. She pushed the car forward, but it only went a few inches before the wheels and axles spun off.
“I need help!” she said to an instructor. “Every time I get them on they fall off!”
Rachel, who is heading to Blackhawk Christian School this fall, was one of 18 students who participated in IPFW’s math and science camp last week. The camp had a Pinewood Derby theme this year, which meant students learned how to build the cars, and then had a race to see whose went the fastest.
They also constructed their own air cannons, guitars, and cup phones.
Camp coordinators Jacob Millspaw and Mark Masters said the goal of the camp was to give students as many chances as possible to build things – something they said kids don’t do as much of these days.
The kids also made their own slime and silly putty, spent time playing math games and learned how to program robots.
“Kids start losing interest in math and science right about this age,” said Masters, chairman of the IPFW physics department. “We’re trying to keep them engaged, but we’re also doing things that give them something to think about.”
Melissa Mwangi, 12, said she used to think math and science were “nerdy stuff,” but now she likes the subjects.
“My favorite part of camp has been the robots,” she said. “I’ve seen them on the movies and stuff, but I’ve never been able to work with them before.”
Registration
•Concordia Lutheran High School’s registration for the 2012-13 school year is scheduled for Aug. 6 and Aug. 7 from 1 to 7 p.m. Students are required to accompany parents to registration. New student and freshman orientation will be from 8 a.m. to noon Aug.13 . Regular classes begin Aug. 14.
•The application for free and reduced-price meals and textbooks for Fort Wayne Community Schools students is available online for the 2012-13 school year. Applications are accepted throughout the year but must be returned by Aug. 10 to be processed in time for the first day of school on Aug. 20. Applications are available online at ftwayne.schoollunchapp.com. Paper applications are also available at all FWCS schools, the Student Services Office at 1200 S. Clinton St. and Nutrition Services at 3211 W. Ludwig Road. Applications are available in English and Spanish.
Scholarships
•Wade Hantz, Drew McCombs, Ellen Cornwell and Bryce Longenberger won scholarships from The Andersons Inc.
•IPFW student Patience Doctor received a $1,500 scholarship from the Community Memorial Hospital Foundation.
•Alexis R. A. Goldsmith and Michael J. Fliotsos were named college-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners
•Kendall Riecken is a recipient of the 2012 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium scholarship.
Recognitions
•Ivy Tech Community College Northeast Chancellor Jerrilee K. Mosier has been named the new national director of The National Council for Continuing Education and Training.
Saint Francis
•As part of Indiana Private College Go Week, student-led tours will be offered at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. today through Thursday and at 10:30 a.m. Friday. Admission counselors will be available for appointments 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday. Appointments with faculty members or athletics staff can be made by request. Students can sign up for a USF visit online at www.sf.edu/visit or call the Office of Admissions at 800-729-4732.
Grace
•Campus tours and admissions/financial aid meetings are available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today through Friday as part of Indiana Private College Week.
Defiance
•The Hench Autism Studies Program at Defiance College will host its fourth annual art show and sale from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Thursday. The event will be in the Women’s Commission Art Gallery on the Defiance College campus.
Indiana Tech
•As part of the free college preparation program provided for adult students through the College of Professional Studies, a computer basics course will be offered four times at Blue Jacket Inc., 2826 S. Calhoun St. The course covers such topics as how to access and navigate the Internet, how to use email, and an introduction to basic applications such as word processing and spreadsheets. The two-session course will meet from noon to 1:45 p.m. Thursday and Friday. To register, call 888-832-4742. For more information on the free college prep program, visit www.IndianaTech.edu/CPS.
