8th Grade Science Projects

8th Grade Science Projects

For Kevin Scheiding of Lewisburg, 8th grade science projects assigned by his teacher, Sarrah Grubb, at National Trail Middle School in New Paris had far-reaching implications. It reached, in fact, to Columbus.

As part of a history day project, each student was asked to complete a project with a communications theme.

According to the national project, "For more than 25 years, the National History Day program has promoted systemic educational reform related to the teaching and learning of history in America's schools.

"The combination of creativity and scholarship built into the NHD program anticipated current educational reforms, making National History Day a leading model of performance-based learning."

And when the National Road was a suggested topic, Kevin knew the fit was perfect. His great-grandfather was Harold Price, who is well-known by National Road buffs.

If a roadway and communications seem disparate themes, consider signage along the way (both advertising and road markers). The roadway also sped communication by way of mail and allowed for faster shipment of packages.

According to Kevin's mother, Cheryl Scheiding, her son's great-grandfather "spent a lifetime to get the National Road recognized as a national highway." Price died two years ago at age 94. He had spent almost 40 years researching and promoting his beloved National Road.

Kevin took much of the research Price had worked on, gave it his own personal touch and did additional research. The project blossomed into one that easily won at his school and sent Kevin on to the regionals at Piqua in April, where he took another win. Then, it was on to Columbus for the state competition in May. At the state contest, 632 students competed in the 8th grade science projects. Out of 49 students statewide in his category, Kevin was narrowed down to the final eight in the state. He ended up taking honorable mention with four others. Kevin is the first National Trail student to advance past the local level in the competition.

It was a learning experience for Kevin and his family, too. "We learned a lot and so did he," Cheryl said. For instance, it was George Washington who proposed the roadway. It was in 1806, during the Thomas Jefferson administration, that the roadway became fact.

When the camp was instituted, there were just 50 students who signed up; this year, the registration was closed at 200. And there is a long waiting list, according to Rosalie Bernard, communications coordinator for the school. The weeklong camp offers a variety of hands-on experiences to junior high students. The "career clusters" group students according to interests that range from animal care to welding.

According to Bernard, "Career camp appeals to students who like to try new things and have broad career interests." The camps have proven to have "strong, nontraditional careers appeal."

For instance, girls take on machine trades - a typically male field - and find they like what they see.

Jim Gilbert, career education specialist at MVCTC, said technology is a part of most careers. Agriculture students learn to use the global positioning system, and photography students have to learn the intricacies of filmbased and digital cameras, not to mention computers.

Some happy dogs will take the King and Queen Canine titles and awards will be handed out to the second- and third-place winners. Those entering their top dog should have them on leashes at all times; cleaning up is also required. There is no entry fee, but only the first 25 entrants will be accepted.