Area youth enjoyed learning about Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics in the Junior Auxiliary of Taney County's recent STEAMpunk Academy.
Nearly 60 children attended the three-hour event, which included hands-on projects and demonstrations.
Paula DeHart, a retired teacher and JATC member led the Science activities, teaching children about the States of Matter – solids, liquids and gases. The children observed a number of exciting experiments with the State of Matter, including using solid and liquid to create a bouncy ball— a favorite among many of the students.
The Taney County Sheriff's Department, represented by Deputy Jeffrey Inmon and Detective Robert Stirewalt presented activities related to Technology. The pair demonstrated some of the new technology available in cameras, and took digital fingerprints of the children in attendance.
Stephanie Callahan of Lightspeed Electric gave a presentation in Engineering, explaining how electrical circuits work, and challenging the children to find out the number of light switches and plugs within their respective homes.
JATC members Bobbie Wydeen and Sheila Martin led the activities in Art. A favorite segment of the students was utilizing a Spirograph to make amazing and creative designs.
Math activities were presented by JATC Members Robin Osbern and Janelle Wynn. The ladies led the children in a game called Shut the Box that was enjoyed by all.
An additional segment on conservation was presented by Missouri Department of Conservation Agent Jordan Poe, who displayed a bear skin, a skull and other items of interest, as well as photos taken with a Game Camera.
As the children completed activities at each booth, they received a stamp on their STEAMPunk Passport. After visiting of all booths, the children were given a bag of STEAM-related items to take home. Parents and children in attendance agreed that the STEAMpunk Academy was an excellent, fun-filled and educational event.
In addition to the Junior Auxiliary of Taney County, sponsors of the STEAMpunk Academy were Lightspeed Electric, Taney County Sheriff's Department and the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Junior Auxiliary helps schools replenish school supplies
Though the school year is at the halfway point, the members of the Junior Auxiliary of Taney County have school supplies on their minds.
Junior Auxiliary members have worked to collect school supplies to help replenish those items at elementary schools in Taney County. The JATC recently delivered composition notebooks, wide-ruled paper, one-subject notebooks, folders, crayons, pencils, mechanical pencils, markers, ink pens, glue sticks, highlighters, index cards, scotch tape, colored pencils and more to replace those items that have been used, lost or broken throughout the first half of the year. They also delivered items such as Lysol spray, hand sanitizer, Kleenex, paper towels and wipes that help keep the classrooms and those in them healthy.
The Junior Auxiliary also presented 51 elementary teachers in Bradleyville, Hollister, Kirbyville, Mark Twain and Taneyville Schools with gift cards to purchase "extras" for their respective classrooms. In past years, these cards have been used for such things as math manipulatives, classroom snacks and even new volleyballs. This year, teachers shared their plans to use the gift cards for prizes to reward desired behaviors, items to supplement lessons, or Valentine's parties for their students.
"This year, JATC was fortunate to receive two grants for this project: one from Community Foundation of Taney County, and one from Stanley and Elaine Ball Foundation, administered by Central Trust Company," explained Junior Auxiliary's Sheryl Schiller. "JATC also received a donation of hand sanitizer from Branson-Hollister Lions Club, and pencils from Binswanger Glass. Branson Christian Church held a school supplies drive and donated numerous items, and community resident Vickie Claud donated miscellaneous supplies and a dozen cans of Lysol spray. Junior Auxiliary members shop the sales in July and August and save them for this time of year, when schools are running low on certain supplies."
Schiller continued, "JATC loves how this community supports this project and recognizes that access to free supplies is critical to creating a more equal environment for students and helps increase their preparedness and participation.
Donations for this project and JATC projects, all geared to help the children of Taney County, can be mailed to JATC, P.O. Box 862, Hollister, MO 65673.
For more information on the Junior Auxiliary projects, visit their website, jatcmo.org.
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