Science
This week honors ecology students constructed a three tier decomposition column to introduce our unit on biogeochemical cycles. Students are responsible for monitoring changes in water quality and observing changes in the terrestrial and decomposition chambers. The columns include earthworms, seeds, and beta fish.
Honors biology students tested the effects of several variables on the catalyst-substrate relationship between catalase in liver and peroxide. Temperature, pH, and surface area were altered to determine the optimal conditions for enzyme activity.
Jamie Martz, a senior medical laboratory technician student at APSU, spoke to honors anatomy classes on Wednesday about blood groups and typing. Students then were given the opportunity to determine their blood types. On Thursday, fifth period honors anatomy classes examined the effects of epinephrine and nicotine solutions on blood vessel diameter in goldfish. Sixth period honors anatomy classes observed the effects of temperature on the rate of respiration in goldfish.
Honors Biology the student conducted the hands-on macromolecule indicator lab. Student experimented with several different food based solutions and tested them for the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.
Senior Job Shadow
On Friday several of our Seniors had the opportunity to Job Shadow various leaders in our community. This was a wonderful experience for our students and one they won’t forget.
Costa Rica
Danny Magrans, 3 parents and 25 students are on the adventure of a lifetime! Over a 10 day time span the group will travel through various parts of Costa Rica immersed in the culture. Students will exchange currency, speak the language and interact with members of these communities. Trips to waterfalls, jungles, a local school and more are planned. Stay up to date on what is happening through their blog! Some areas are remote and internet and phone access is limited, but we will continue to update the blog throughout and after the trip!
Interact Club
The CA Interact Club is hosting a speech contest that is based on the Rotary Club International’s Four Way Test. Students in grades 9-12 should compose a speech based on one aspect of the Four Way Test, and then recite the speech for the contest on Tuesday during study hall. Prizes for first, second, and third places are $100, $50, and $25. The winner will represent CA at the District Competition in Dickson.
FCA
FCA meets weekly on Wednesdays at 7:15AM in Coach Williams’ room. We invite all US students to attend.
Box Tops
This is a reminder that CA collects Box Tops through our CAA. The money raised from this project funds various school improvement projects. Last year we raised over $2000 through the Box Tops program alone! Please turn yours into your child’s teacher or Ms. Turnage in the front office.
Social Media
Please like us on Facebook—Clarksville Academy; and follow us on Twitter—CACougarsTN.
Drama
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Deep in the rain forest of the northern region of Costa Rica exists one of the most active volcanoes in the world. It is called Arenal and it’s majestic and powerful beauty leaves all who are fortunate enough to see it in awe. When the skies are clear one can see the peak of the volcanoes expelling smoke. At night, If lucky and with clarity one might see lava seeping. Oh yeah! One more piece of information. The volcano heats the rivers with its thermo energy. More on this later.
Life is better when one establishes goals and rewards await. Through all the exhilarating, endurance filled and exhausting activities we accomplished today, we had to keep our eyes on the prize. Tabacon Hot springs. This is personally one of my favorite excursions. The students now know why.
Today, Monday, February 20, we had to part ways from a gorgeous village and its people. The culture here is so different. To watch my students blend in so perfectly made me proud for what I am. A teacher.
While I spoke to many native kids the dreams of some resonated so profoundly. Danny wants to be a soccer player. Alejandra an English teacher, and Julia who simply wanted to meet an American girl. The biggest dream came from the director of the school who would simply like three things: a roof that desperately needs to be repaired, ceiling fans due to the fact that the classes can get so very hot, and the biggest of his dreams is to provide soccer uniforms for his students who currently play in their school uniforms: blue khakis, white shirts and most of them barefoot.
While we came baring gifts the smiles on my students’ faces when they were playing soccer or sharing a snack with the Costa Rican students assured me of one thing. “Sometimes the secret of having it all is knowing that you ready do.” I think my students now understand it doesn’t take much to make one happy and how much more we can do to make a difference. Our mission now is to share what we have with others. We do this not only because they have needs but also because when we give we also receive.