Waukon Middle School 10th Hour program wraps up June summer program ...

The Waukon Middle School 10th Hour June summer program was involved in many activities this past session. The students began the summer with learning the fine points of operating a Canon Power Shot camera so they could document each activity. Brittany Todd, owner of “Photography by Brittany” in Decorah, furthered that education in operating the cameras as the students toured her shop and listened to her explain in-depth instructions on a guided use of their cameras. Nathan Todd, proprietor of the Sugar Bowl in Decorah, also led the group in a tour of his ice cream parlor, which is known for its 24 flavors of ice cream. Students enjoyed the flavors of cookie dough, Zanzibar chocolate, cotton candy, and strawberry cheese cake. During an adventure day the students had at Luther College, they took on the Challenge Course that required nerves of steel, teamwork and large motor skills. Students flew through the air attached to harnesses that were hooked to their teammates.

One of the skills students learned during their summer session was archery with Liz Fish as the instructor. Students were taught the correct stance, nocking the arrow, aiming, launching, arrow retrieval and scorekeeping. Kathy Hay, from Keystone Area Education Agency (AEA), engaged the students in a three-day STEM Club, using the Makey Makey program. The students constructed control pads and performed coding and programming. To showcase all of the many skills learned this summer, students were involved with the filming of a YouTube video called “Quick News” under the guidance of Waukon High School student Michaela Dehli.

All of the after-school sites visited Spook Cave, where the students were educated about cave formations, were spooked with the story of Joe Smiley, and heard the history of the cave. Once again this summer, the program made signs to draw awareness to the plight of turtle crossings in Harpers Ferry. Allamakee County Conservation Naturalist Ross Geerdes directed the students in learning about Iowa’s turtles. The students were also given a tour of the Mississippi River on the Maiden Voyage, during which Captain Robert Vavra informed his passengers of the history of the river and sightings of its wildlife. The 21st Century Grant sites ended their June summer programming with a trip to the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, WI (pictured above). Waukon Middle School will be the only site to offer August programming, beginning August 1. Some of the activities offered will be weight lifting, different cultures, art and STEM fun. Submitted by 10th Hour Waukon Middle School students.