On February 6th, EDGE hosted the annual Exhibition of Learning at which students shared their most recent projects with the community. This event provides students the opportunity to present to an authentic audience. This year we had over 400 people visit with our students. Visitors included students and teachers from EPIC Elementary, parents, family, school board members, administrators, LPS students and teachers.
Throughout the year we have four learning cycles, each of which challenges students to explore one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, conduct research on an area of interest related to the goal, and construct a product to demonstrate their learning. At the time of the exhibition, the focus was Goal #17 - Ensure Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns. After conducting research, student projects included heavy metal music, art, podcasts, gardens, upcycled clothing, video games, ad mock ups, models of homes, cross stitched maps, and utensils made from recycled bones.
While the products students made were incredible, the most important part of each presentation was the explanation of their learning journey - how they collected their research, how they found their problem/cause/solution, collecting and interpreting feedback and, using a project timeline to manage their time.
Thanks to everyone who took time out of their day to visit. Students enjoyed sharing their learning with you.
|
|
Photos by Eric Langhorst Photography.
|
|
Student Learning - Project Update
UN Sustainable Development Goal #2
|
|
On Monday, February 12, EDGE Students kicked off their next learning cycle focused on United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #2: Zero Hunger. First, students will read provided sources and conduct their own research to prepare for a Socratic Seminar, which will take place on Friday, February 23. Then, students will research food security issues in individual countries, draft mock resolutions, and participate in a Model UN-inspired event to identify potential solutions to food insecurity around the world. To conclude this learning cycle, during EDGE Interim week, students will have the opportunity to give back to the local community by participating in service projects at locations such as Harvesters, Habitat Restore, and KC Pet Project. |
|
|
Market Value Asset for EDGE Students |
|
|
|
EDGE Students have the opportunity to earn their Market Value Asset (MVA) through Global Activism.
|
|
|
|
APES: Many students designed and implemented gardens here at LHS. Here is an example of a hydroponic garden that was implemented by students to help support the Global Culinary Class housed in EDGE. Plants will be repotted later this week.
Physics: Students have designed and constructed a catapult. They are using the concept of computer modeling to be able to input their catapult data then use linear regression to predict the projectile motion of the projectile. Students will use the data to calibrate their catapult to hit a target.
Chemistry: Chemistry students are trying to solve the 1982 Chicago Tylenol Murders by calculating toxicity, converting between mass, moles, and molecules and determining percent composition to try to uncover the mystery behind the murders.
Biology: Mars Soil Project: Students have kicked off their project to determine how to best grow crops on Mars. We currently have 6 beet plants that have germinated. There will be an 8 week growth period where students will send their final data to NASA for scientists to use in space exploration. Ask your Biology students what amendments we made to the Mars soil!
|
|
Graphic Novel Project - ELA 1 |
|
During the first semester of ELA, EDGE students explored the medium of graphic novels and how they have been used throughout the Civil Rights movement as a means to share information and organize protests to help pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Students read “Run”, a graphic novel about the Civil Rights movement that is part of the March series, the first graphic novel to win the National Book Award in 2016.
While reading Run we discussed aspects such as use of text, placement of the graphics on the page, shading techniques and inclusions of historical facts and information. Students then selected a personal experience or story and wrote their own short graphic novel. Students discovered the richness of writing a graphic novel and how the author can incorporate graphics as an additional layer to help tell the story in addition to text. The ELA competency assessed for this project was ELA 1 - Investigate the World #3 - Describe an important choice of the author and explain its impact on the text’s meaning and effectiveness. Consider the author’s cultural context, the audience, or the purpose when analyzing the choice.
Each student’s graphic novel was collected and printed as a full color book printed by the Liberty Public School District Copy Center. A copy of this graphic novel anthology was given to each student in the class. This is the second year that EDGE has printed a graphic novel anthology from ELA 1.
|
|
|
|
|
EDGE recently added several items to help students grow plants in the classroom throughout the year as part of multiple classes and in conjunction with projects. Dr. Langhorst donated a hydroponic garden kit and several shelving units with grow lights and heat mats for germinating plants from seed in memory of his father Larry and grandfather Henry. Larry was an educator who loved gardening and in retirement was in charge of the HyVee garden here in Liberty for several years. He worked with students at EPIC elementary with their garden and often hosted classes of students in his garden at HyVee and taught them about raising vegetables. Henry was an immigrant who as a German Marine fighting in World War I planted flowers in the trenches to provide some beauty to contrast the stark realities of war. Upon arriving in America Henry was a lifelong farmer in Nebraska and always had large flower beds, grapes and gardens.
During the recent unit on responsible consumption and production, students in Mrs. Carpenter’s science classes conducted research on people raising their own vegetables and fruits. Shea Simpson and Kaitlyn Wratchford used the newly donated items to plant a variety of vegetables in a hydroponic garden and also planted seeds to be germinated with grow lights.
Shea and Kaitlyn selected which vegetables to plant after consulting with the international culinary class teachers to determine which vegetables could be best incorporated with the cooking labs in the class. They planted heirloom varieties of chives, parsley, basil, oregano, mint and tomatoes.
The indoor garden will provide a space for EDGE students throughout the year to grow a variety of plants and vegetables, something that both Larry and Henry Langhorst would have enjoyed.
|
|
EDGE - EPiC Collaboration |
|
On January 22, a group of EDGE students supported EPiC Studio 2 students as they built toys for their unit on force and motion. |
|
Summer Learning Opportunity |
|
|
|
JUNE 25 - 27, 2024
The Liberty Education Foundation is excited to offer THRIVE again this summer! This free and fun 3-day experience is for Liberty Public Schools rising sophomores, juniors and seniors, June 25 - 27, from 9 am - 3 pm.
THRIVE helps students get life-ready with skills, tools and information beyond what they learn in the classroom:
- Problem-solving, Strategy and Critical Thinking Skills
- Mental Health, Stress and Anxiety
- Communication and People Skills
- Money Management
- Strengths Assessment
- And much more!
PLUS lunches from local favorites (last year we enjoyed Longboards, Minsky’s Pizza and Rancho Grande)! This year’s lineup will be shared soon.
The three days will feature large group challenges as well as choices of breakout sessions.
|
|
Spring parent-teacher conferences will take place on Tuesday, March 19th and Wednesday, March 20th from 3:30 - 7:30 pm. Conferences will be by appointment and will be held in person. Conferences should be scheduled with your student's Global Activism teacher. Scheduling will open at 8:00am on March 5th. Watch your email and check the website to access the sign up link. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
