Spring Noetic Math Challenge

April marks the annual Noetic Spring Math Challenge for elementary students.  This test is taken by over 30,000 kids across the country that excel in math.  The problems on the test focus on problem solving, real-life situations, and a variety of math concepts.  The test items are at or mostly above grade level to challenge the thoughts and minds of the students who take the test.  The test is so challenging for students, that if you get 10 out of 20 problems correct it often places you in the top 50% of everyone in the country.  It truly stretches the thinking of all students.  

The over all grade winners included: Taylor, Caleb, Cael, Talan, and Blake.  All the grade level winners had a score of 17 or above.  A special congratulations to Talan for a perfect score!

More information on the program HERE.

1st Graders Program Robots

First graders were recently challenged to challenge to program a mouse to find its way through a maze to some cheese.  The students used their knowledge of direction, programing, and sequencing during this activity, as well as working together as a team.  They started out with an easy program and then challenged each other with harder routes to the cheer   

It wasn't an easy task, as they were given very little direction as to how the mouse worked.  All teams did well and in the end the mouse did find the cheese!

6th Grade Math Bee

Yesterday 12 students participated in the 6th Grade Math Bee at the Central Rivers AEA.  This is an individual and a 4-person team event.  West Elementary had 6 students that qualified for the State Math Bee on May 17th.  The top 25% of students and teams get an invitation to state.  Kaiden Glaspie and JD Huffman qualified individually and the following team placed 4th overall to get their invitation: Blake Gates, Ryan Goldenstein, Corbin Naylor and Carson Bantz.  

It was a great showing by the students and they represented our school well.  

5th Graders Participate in the State Battle of the Books Competition

Many 5th grade students have been reading from the Battle of the Books list of award winning authors this winter.  The school winners were able to participate in the state competition last week.  They represented Independence and West Elementary well, they finished in the top half of the group of 50+ teams from all over the state.  The group also received the "Teamwork Award", which was given to the team for their outstanding work as a small group during the test.  Great job kids, and keep reading!

STEM- Science at its best

First grade students had the opportunity to view chemical reactions up close and personal at East Elementary.  Baking soda and Vinegar provided the turbo boost the rockets needed to get off the ground.  The chemical reaction occurred to produce CO2 and filled the rocket to capacity and finally enough gas built up to explode into the air.  Science is an amazing thing, especially when you can see it in action!

West Elementary Express

The final projects from students in the 4th, 5th and 6th grades:

3D Design Projects

Students in 4th-6th grades have been busy designing items which started on paper and then moved to a CAD program.  Students are using the friendly online program called Tinkercad to create their designs.

Shown here is Ryan with his tank.  The first attempt was good, but had some flaws.  The second attempt turned out great, showing many details of the tank.
 Then, Ryan was challenged to make the tank more realistic.  He worked on the turret so it turned completely around like a real tank.  Well done!

Fall Noetic Math Challenges

Twice a a year many students from grades 2nd-6th take the Noetic Math Challenge Test.  This test has 20 problems and needs to be completed in 45 minutes.  The problems are chosen for their difficulty level and allows students to attempt problems above their grade level for that extra challenge.  This is a fun challenge and a great piece of data for students and teachers to use from year to year.

This years Team/Grade Winners:

Top- 2nd Grade: Bryson, 3rd Grade: Zach, 4th Grade: Connor
Bottom- 5th Grade: Talan, 6th Grade: Corbin & Carson

Noetic Math also compares the scores of students with those around the country, Zach, Connor, and Talan all received National Honor Roll Medals for placing in the Top 10% of all scores.  

Congrats to all students who accepted the challenge and stretched their thinking!