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Top of the class

Students show what they know about space

Fox Chapel Middle School's Dolphin team shows off their out-of-this world projects.

By MATHEW WASSERMAN
Published October 27, 2005

SPRING HILL - The Dolphin team of Fox Chapel Middle School recently got the chance to show what they know to a cafeteria full of family, teachers and students.

"It's really nice for them to get a chance to celebrate some of their accomplishments," said Dolphin team leader Stephanie Bennett, who like other team members is a 6th grader.

Rachelle Yungmann, title one lead teacher at Fox Chapel Middle, created Show What You Know' night in 1999, while teaching at Spring Hill Elementary. When she moved to Fox Chapel Middle last year, Yungmann brought the program with her.

"Each team takes an interdisciplinary unit and creates a project with it," said Yungmann. "It challenges the students to think critically."

The theme for Dolphin team's night was "Space, the Final Frontier." Students and teachers on each team collaboratively choose each month's topic.

As the cafeteria filled with outer space sounds, about 180 student projects carpeted the tables. Students incorporated core subjects to build projects that could easily be explained and displayed for everybody to see.

Tylor Deutrieux, 11, created a constellation project that brought math, social studies and science together on one piece of cardboard.

"The main part of it is the space generator, "said Tylor. "When I attach the battery, the fans really spin."

One of the main focuses of the night is to bring parents and students together. In each student's project packet, there is a list of questions that they are supposed to ask their parents, about their school work.

"This is just another way to stimulate a conversation between students and parents," Yungmann said.

Bennett agreed that one of the best aspects of the night is that it allows parents and students to spend time together.

"I think it's a rare time that students can communicate freely with their parents and show what they know," said Bennett.

Tylor's father, Jason Deutrieux, said he thinks the whole idea of the night is original and neat.

"It really gets the students to use their imaginations," he said. "Plus, it gives the kids and parents a chance to spend some quality time together."

The best way to judge the success of any gathering is to look at the expressions of everybody there. When Bennett gazed around the room she said, "Look at all the smiling faces. This is just a great environment for people to celebrate the children."

Mathew Wasserman can be reached at e-mail Mat65432@aol.com

[Last modified October 27, 2005, 01:28:19]