, ,

Considerations Before Investing in an Electric Family Car

An electric family car might sound like an odd investment when you consider running the kids around, but it might actually be your wisest investment yet.

Electric vehicles are gaining tremendous momentum as families across the country explore cleaner, more efficient transportation options. The appeal extends beyond environmental consciousness to include substantial cost savings, advanced technology features, and surprisingly practical benefits for daily family life. However, transitioning from a traditional gasoline vehicle to an electric family car requires careful consideration of several important factors.

Making this switch represents more than just choosing a different type of engine. Families must evaluate their driving patterns, budget constraints, charging capabilities, and long-term transportation needs. The good news is that electric vehicles have evolved significantly, offering families more choices than ever before while addressing many concerns that previously made people hesitant about electric ownership.

We’re diving into several core considerations to help your family make an informed decision that aligns with your lifestyle, values, and financial situation. Buckle up and enjoy!

Range and Charging Infrastructure

Electric vehicle range has improved dramatically over recent years, with many family-friendly models now offering 250 to 400 miles per charge. Most families drive less than 50 miles per day, making range anxiety less of a concern than many people initially expect. However, you should honestly assess your typical driving patterns, including weekend trips, vacation travel, and daily commutes.

Charging infrastructure continues to expand rapidly across the US. Major retailers, shopping centers, and highway rest stops increasingly offer fast-charging stations that can add 200+ miles of range in 30 – 45 minutes. Home charging remains the most convenient option for most families, requiring either a standard 120-volt outlet for slow charging or a 240-volt Level 2 charger for faster overnight charging.

Installation costs for home charging equipment typically range from $500 to $2,000, depending on your electrical setup and chosen equipment. Many utility companies offer special rates for EV owners, which allows you to charge during off-peak hours at reduced costs. Planning your charging strategy before purchasing ensures you’ll have convenient access to power when you need it most.

Purchase Price and Financial Incentives

Electric vehicles generally carry higher upfront costs than comparable gasoline vehicles, though this gap continues to narrow as technology improves and production scales up. However, federal tax credits up to $7,500 can significantly reduce your initial investment, along with various state and local incentives that vary by location.

Many manufacturers offer competitive lease deals on electric vehicles, making them more accessible to families who prefer lower monthly payments. The total cost of ownership often favors electric vehicles within three to five years due to dramatically lower fuel costs and reduced maintenance expenses.

Electricity costs substantially less than gasoline per mile driven in most areas of the country. The average American family spends about $2,000 annually on gasoline, while the equivalent electric charge typically costs $500-$800 per year. These savings add up quickly, especially as gasoline prices fluctuate and electricity rates remain relatively stable.

Practicality and Space Considerations

Electric vehicles excel in practical family applications, often providing more interior space than traditional vehicles due to the compact nature of electric drivetrains. Many electric SUVs and crossovers offer generous cargo areas, comfortable seating for five to seven passengers, and thoughtful storage solutions throughout the cabin.

The lower center of gravity created by floor-mounted battery packs improves handling and stability while reducing road noise for a more comfortable family driving experience. Electric motors provide instant torque, which makes highway merging and city driving smooth and responsive.

Families can choose from an expanding variety of electric vehicle body styles, including compact cars, midsize sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, and minivans. This diversity ensures that most families can find an electric option that meets their specific space and utility requirements without compromise.

Advanced Safety and Technology Features

Electric vehicles typically come equipped with the latest safety technologies as standard equipment. Features like automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control can protect your family during daily drives and long-distance travel.

The integration of advanced technology extends beyond safety to include sophisticated infotainment systems, smartphone integration, and over-the-air software updates that continuously improve your vehicle’s abilities. Many families appreciate the quiet operation of electric motors, which reduces fatigue during long trips and creates a more pleasant environment for conversation and entertainment.

Maintenance and Long-Term Reliability

Electric vehicles require significantly less maintenance than gasoline-powered cars because they contain fewer moving parts and don’t need oil changes, spark plug replacements, or transmission servicing. Most electric vehicles only require periodic tire rotations, brake inspections, and cabin air filter changes for the first several years of ownership.

Battery technology has proven remarkably reliable, with most manufacturers offering warranties covering eight years or 100,000 miles on battery packs. Real-world data shows that properly maintained electric vehicle batteries retain 85 to 90 percent of their original capacity after eight years, providing confidence in long-term reliability.

The simplified maintenance schedule saves families time and money while reducing the likelihood of unexpected repair bills. When fixing automotive electrical problems, many electric vehicle systems can diagnose issues remotely and alert owners to potential concerns before they become serious problems.

Environmental Benefits and Future Impact

Choosing an electric family vehicle significantly reduces your household’s carbon footprint, even when accounting for electricity generation from various sources. Electric vehicles produce zero direct emissions, improving air quality in your community and contributing to better health outcomes for your family.

The environmental benefits increase over time as the electrical grid incorporates more renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. Many families find satisfaction in reducing their dependence on fossil fuels while supporting the development of cleaner transportation technologies for future generations.

Electric vehicles also operate much more quietly than traditional engines, reducing noise pollution in residential neighborhoods and creating more pleasant driving experiences for everyone on the road.

Make the Right Choice for Your Family

Investing in an electric family car offers numerous advantages, from cost savings and environmental benefits to advanced safety features and reduced maintenance requirements. Success with electric vehicle ownership depends on honestly evaluating your family’s driving needs, charging options, and budget considerations.

Take time to test drive several electric models, research available incentives in your area, and calculate the total cost of ownership over your typical vehicle ownership period. Most families discover that electric vehicles meet their transportation needs and exceed their expectations for comfort, convenience, and overall satisfaction.

/0 Comments/by
, ,

How Do 3D Glasses Work Anyways?

If you take a look around the room, you’ll notice that you already see in 3D. Yet, something changes once you start to watch a movie or view an image that causes everything you see there to take on a two-dimensional appearance. New technology has transformed how you can enjoy a movie today by offering the ability to wear special glasses that create a 3D experience. Naturally, being able to put on a pair of glasses and see things differently sparks curiosity. Whether you’re wondering how 3D glasses work or are preparing to teach a science or technology class, it’s fun to delve into the details of what makes this magical experience happen.

Start By Understanding How Normal Vision Works

The first thing you’ll want to know is that the human head already functions like a 3D viewer. Although it’s a part of your face that barely gets much thought, the space between your eyes plays an important role in how you see the world. This gap helps you to see items that are in the distance while also being able to judge the general location, depth and shape of the things that you see in your field of view. The reason why you only see things from a 2D perspective in a movie or picture is because the image is taken from only a single camera rather than how things would be perceived through two eyes.

Get a Basic Overview of How 3D Images Work

To make a 3D photo or image, the creator uses multiple angles that are eventually superimposed on each other. Since your eyes currently operate as a 3D viewer, this causes the 3D images to appear blurry and unfocused when you view them without the special glasses. Adding the right type of 3D glasses gives the images depth and distance so that your eyes can process them properly again.

Interestingly, the history of 3D cinematography involved creators considering adding special views to the floor of theaters to allow people to view the movies from there. Unfortunately, the installation process was too expensive for the average theater to feasibly include in their budgets. The good news is that the ability to create individual glasses for people to wear helped to make 3D movies affordable for theaters to show and more enjoyable for the typical moviegoer.

Know the Difference Between Polarized and Anaglyph Glasses

You might have noticed that various theaters and other entertainment sources sometimes have different 3D glasses that they hand out. Exploring how the two most common types of 3D glasses work gives you more insight into why you may want to pick out a specific pair.

Anaglyph glasses are the typical cardboard glasses that you’ve seen in theaters that have one red lens and one cyan, or blue, lens. The simplest way to understand how these glasses work is that the red lens serves as a filter that takes out the redness in an image while the cyan lens does the same for blue. When this happens, the image takes on greater shape and depth that is capable of being processed by your eyes. Despite the lenses in these glasses filtering out the colors, you’ll notice that your eyes make up the difference in colors to allow you to see all of the hues in the images.

Polarized glasses look similar to sunglasses, but they have a slight tint on the lenses. At first glance, it may be difficult to tell how these could ever function as 3D viewers. But, it makes a lot of sense once you understand the technology behind them. To work, polarized 3D glasses only allow light waves to pass either vertically or horizontally through them. These types of 3D movies are made using two different images that are meant for each eye, and the polarization ensures that your eyes only see the specific image they are meant to. This has the effect of creating an illusion of depth.

Now that you understand how 3D glasses work, you’ll be able to take a moment to appreciate the effects when you watch a movie or view an image. In fact, it’s fun to pick up both types and conduct a brief experiment to see how each one works as you view different types of images and movies. Now that you understand how your vision changes in response to lenses that reflect colors and light in unique ways, you’ll be ready to tell everyone you know about how amazing this type of technology is for enhancing your favorite movies.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for American Paper Optics

/0 Comments/by
, ,

5 Things to Change That Will Improve Your Internet’s Speed

It’s not just you; your internet speed is slower than it used to be. You can find out for sure by running an online speed test using your home’s internet and then comparing it to the advertised speed you’re paying for. There are many variables that can impact your download speed, so the difference of a few megabits-per-second is to be expected. If the speed test shows a large difference, however, there are a few things you can do to help bridge the gap and improve your home internet connection.

Things to Change to Improve Your Internet’s Speed

1. Move the Router

It may be tempting to place your router in a corner or behind a pillar, but doing this can actually hinder your internet speed. Walls, doors, cupboards, closets, and even empty space all contain mass that blocks the Wi-Fi signal from reaching your device, contributing to slower internet speeds. The first step to address this is to move closer to the router, but that’s not always possible with larger devices like televisions and desktop computers. Instead, try moving your router to a more open, centralized location, like the center-most room of your house.

2. Switch Wi-Fi Channels

Like old-school radio, Wi-Fi signals are organized into channels. If your neighbors are also using the same Wi-Fi channel, or even an adjacent channel, the resulting congestion can also slow down your internet speed. To change channels, go into your router’s settings or consult your owner’s manual. Then, select a new channel. Avoid choosing channels close to your original setting, which may still have overlap or interference from your neighbors. Experts often recommend channels 1, 6, or 11, which are non-overlapping channels.

3. Disconnect Unused Devices

These days, the average American household has about 21 separate devices connected to their Wi-Fi network. To reduce the burden on your bandwidth, disconnect any devices that you aren’t actively using. Smart appliances, gaming consoles, or tablets are a good place to start. To take it further, you can also prioritize certain activities over others if your router’s settings include Quality of Service toggling. Once this setting is enabled, you can choose which devices your router will connect to first, such as your video streaming device or your work computer.

4. Replace Router and Older Devices

With age, your router will begin to slow down and become obsolete as new innovations are brought to market. If you have been experiencing slow internet speeds or had your router for more than five years, it may be time for an upgrade. Similarly, your devices may be the culprits behind slow internet if they are too old to keep up with your new, state-of-the-art router.

5. Switch to Faster Internet

If you have exhausted all your options for speeding up your internet on your own, it may be an issue with your actual service. Contact your internet service provider to request a technician who may be more successful at pinpointing the exact cause of your slow internet connection. In cases where no issues can be found, you may have to upgrade to a higher tier or switch to a new ISP.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for Osmose

/0 Comments/by
, , ,

Team Mean Machine Wins $50,000, Encourages Community Engagement 

Camas, WA — Team Mean Machine and Discovery High School worked for months on the Power Pivot Project, which this week won a National Finalist title in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition. 

This is a device that helps people with limited mobility. The Power Pivot™ is a portable motorized disk that can assist caregivers transferring persons with limited mobility between wheelchairs, seats, and beds. Unlike existing transfer disks, the Power Pivot™ provides rotation to move the patient without having to twist or apply force. 

In December, the team entered the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Competition, and won statewide. Then, in February they made a video submission for the chance to win $50,000 as a national finalist and $100,000 and a national overall winner. On Thursday, Samsung announced the National Finalist, and the Power Pivot was one of them. There is a bounce of $10,000 to the project that gets the most community engagement. 

You can vote for Discovery High School at https://www.samsung.com/us/solvefortomorrow/ 

Here’s the video submission: https://youtu.be/tTN3_SSdZ0w

Natalia's
Power Pivot
/0 Comments/by
, , ,

Team 2471 Robotics Students Create Power Pivot™ To Assist People With Injuries

Team 2471, a robotics team made up of students from Camas, Hockinson, and Washougal school districts in Washington state have used their design, machining, programming, and business skills to create a device for assisting people with injuries or other physical disabilities. During the 2021 FIRST Robotics competition season, the team was challenged to create an innovative design to facilitate aspects of health and fitness. As their answer to this challenge, Team 2471 created the Power Pivot™ to help persons with limited mobility and their caregivers.

The Power Pivot™ is a portable motorized disk that can assist caregivers transferring persons with limited mobility between wheelchairs, seats, and beds. Unlike existing transfer disks, the Power Pivot™ provides rotation to move the patient without having to twist or apply force. You can learn more at powerpivotdisk.com/ 

  • About 32,000 deaths are caused annually due to older adults falling. The Power Pivot aims to prevent these accidents.
  • The team said this is a great opportunity for students to gain all sorts of unique experience designing, building, and marketing a product before they’re even out of high school.

The high school team is currently assembling Power Pivots™ and making them available for those who can benefit from its capabilities. Power Pivots are built for each individual upon request. They are designed to be affordable with any profit directed to support STEM education in the community.

“The Power Pivot project has been an amazing opportunity for team members to come forward to learn and use their skills while creating something that can really help a lot of people,” said Zach Ager Vice President and fourth year member of Team 2471.

“The Power Pivot project has really allowed me to look behind the scenes and learn more about the production, business and outreach side of making a product (whether that be a robot or Power Pivot), whereas before I only focused on the building and designing,” said Taryn Cavil, first year member of Team 2471.

FRC Team 2471 is composed of students from Camas, Washougal, and Hockinson school districts in Washington state. The team competes in annual FIRST Robotics Competitions where they use design, machining, programming, and business skills to build robots to compete in a series of robot challenges that change from year to year. Team Members have opportunities to learn new skills and work together as a team while they are encouraged to seek innovative solutions to solve real world problems, preparing them for any professional STEM or business fields. Students show dedication to the FIRST Robotics principles of safety in their work, innovation in creation, excellence in design and gracious professionalism throughout their community. 

Robotics
Users hold the Power Pivot.

Learn more at team2471.org/

FIRST® is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for grades PreK-12 that can be facilitated in both school or other structured programs. An international non-profit organization founded by accomplished inventor Dean Kamen in 1989, FIRST has a proven impact on STEM learning, interest, and skill-building well beyond high school. Boosted by a global support system of mentors, coaches, volunteers, alumni, and sponsors that include over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies, teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, and build robots, then compete and celebrate at local, regional, and international events. Students are eligible for more than $80 million in college scholarships through FIRST. Learn more at firstinspires.org/

Contact Team 2471 at powerpivotdisk.com/contact

Robotics
Power Pivot up close.
/0 Comments/by
, , ,

Building A Stronger Community: New Camas App Launches Today

Camas, WA — After six weeks of successful testing, the brand-new Camas App is now available to the public.

What started as a local business directory and news aggregator, evolved to focus on connecting residents and visitors with local businesses and events. Its designers call it “collaborative commerce.”

“The Camas App was built for, in, and by community members – designed to help regenerate our economy and make it more resilient. We want to make it easy for residents and visitors to learn about local businesses and discover new ones they may not be aware of,” said Joseph Graves, Co-creator of the Camas App.

The app was created locally and operated with a focus on supporting the Camas community without global tech companies filtering results or optimizing for their own financial interests.

To get the app, go to camas.info from your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Background — How did this come about?

Graves and Lacamas Magazine shared several clients and were discussing ways to help more businesses when the idea for a Camas App came up in conversation.

“I had an idea for a cool local business directory app, and Joe said he was already working on it with Tyler Kaye,” said Ernie Geigenmiller, Editor & Publisher of Lacamas Magazine. “So, the three of us have been working like crazy to get it launched.”

“It’s a perfect fit for the Lacamas Magazine audience and a great way to strengthen our local economy” said Graves. “Buying from local businesses is the most powerful method I can think of to protect our community.”

Camas App
www.lilyatelier.com
Camas App
The Daily Deal in the Camas App.

“I have always wanted to find a way to connect a community to local businesses. In the ever-connected world of high speed connections, local businesses can still thrive with the right tools,” said Kaye. “The Camas App is a tool for the community as much as it is for the businesses in Camas.”

To make the app sustainable over the long term, there are several in app marketing opportunities including Premium listings, Daily Deals, Special Offers, Real Estate Listing, with more planned for the future. 

A portion of the revenue generated will be shared with three local nonprofits — The Camas-Washougal Community Chest, Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Camas Association.

Camas App
The Camas App has many categories.
/1 Comment/by
, ,

Tech Scene: Easy-to-Use New Camas Info App Goes Into Beta Testing

Camas, WA — The new Camas Info App, which is currently in beta testing, was built to help connect Camas businesses, residents, and visitors. Designed as a local business directory and news aggregator, it offers perks for users and benefits for local businesses. 

“The Camas App is a simple business directory that provides users with useful information about local businesses and makes it easy to discover new ones they may not be aware of,” said Joseph Graves, Owner of Workshed.

Workshed and Lacamas Magazine shared several clients and were discussing ways to help more businesses when the idea for a Camas App came up in conversation.

“I had an idea about a cool local business directory app, and Joe said he was already working on it,” said Ernie Geigenmiller, Editor & Publisher of Lacamas Magazine. “So, we’ve been working like crazy to get it built.”

“It’s a great way to leverage the power of the Lacamas Magazine audience to further strengthen our local economy” said Graves. “We’re working hard to make the app super easy to use and give local businesses a powerful way to connect with new customers for their products or services.”

At launch, Camas businesses will have several in app marketing opportunities including standard listings, premium listings, and Daily Deals, with more planned for the future. A portion of the revenue will be shared with local nonprofits — Community Chest, Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Camas Association.

“Users will be able to see what’s happening with their favorite stores and businesses in one place,” said Geigenmiller. “It’s a win-win for residents, visitors, and businesses. Companies are signing up very quickly, and the waiting list is growing.”

To register for early access to the app, visit www.camas.info.

Invitations will go out when it’s ready for general use, and Lacamas Magazine will provide regular updates.

This is a short video overview: https://youtu.be/RyZNhjfii68

App
What is the Camas App?
App
www.clarkcountyrelocations.com
/0 Comments/by
, ,

Inslee Announces Release of WA Notify Tool to Combat COVID-19

Olympia, WA — Gov. Jay Inslee, along with the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), on Monday announced the launch of WA Notify, an easy-to-use anonymous exposure notification tool that’s been created stop the spread of COVID-19. 

Inslee said by “adding WA Notify to their smartphones, Washington residents will be alerted if they spent time near another WA Notify user who later tests positive for COVID-19.”

The app uses technology developed by Google and Apple and works without collecting or revealing any location or personal data, Inslee’s office said.

“Secure, private and anonymous exposure notification technology is an important tool for Washington,” Inslee said Monday. “We’ve deployed WA Notify in 29 languages so as many Washington residents as possible can protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities. I encourage everyone to start using WA Notify today so we can continue to work together to contain this virus.”

Data models for three counties in Washington found that COVID-19 infections and deaths could be reduced if even a small percentage of people enabled WA Notify. 

Inslee was joined by outgoing Secretary of Health John Wiesman, who emphasized this tool will stop the virus from spreading. Studies from Oxford University and Stanford also show that the more people who use exposure notification technology, the more effective it is.

“WA Notify complements the actions Washington residents are already taking, like wearing masks, physical distancing and keeping gatherings small,” said Wiesman. “We’re excited to be joining the states already using this safe and secure technology and encourage all Washingtonians to join the effort.”

Several states including Virginia, New York and Colorado are already using this tool. Countries successfully using this technology include Ireland, Canada and Germany.

WA Notify
www.clarkcountyrelocations.com

The voluntarily activated app uses Bluetooth technology to exchange random codes with the phones of other users they are near. And, according to Inslee, it does this without revealing a user’s identity or location. Users who test positive for COVID-19 can enter a verification code provided by public health into WA Notify, so that other users who have been near them within the last 14 days can be anonymously alerted and take appropriate action.

The WA Notify tool is free and can be enabled in iPhone settings or downloaded as an app from the Google Play Store for Android phones. Users can opt out at any time.

“People are understandably concerned these days about being tracked and having their personal information compromised,” said Associate Professor Stefano Tessaro with the UW Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering. “However, the technology behind WA Notify has been vetted by security and privacy experts across the world, and it does not collect or store any information that personally identifies its users.”

Before launching the tool, Washington state received a recommendation to adopt the technology from an oversight committee which included security and civil liberties experts and a diverse group of community leaders.

To learn more:

  • Visit WANotify.org to learn how to install the tool to your smartphone or to learn more.
  • Information about WA Notify is available in multiple languages — choose from the full list at WANotify.org/languages.
/0 Comments/by
, , ,

Washougal-Based Startup Aims to Create New Category of Math-Art Software


WASHOUGAL, WA — Software startup Mathaesthetics LLC has released MathPaint, its flagship software application, enabling anyone with a Mac to create amazing art generated by the power and beauty of mathematics.

MathPaint is built for graphic designers who have a need to create abstract, geometric, or fractal illustrations and visual textures. The new software title is also expected to appeal to experimental visual artists, hobbyists, and students.

MathPaint 1.0 is offered through Apple’s Mac App Store. The software’s sale price is $29.99. The App Store entry includes more information about the software, screenshots, and video previews: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mathpaint/id1476765339

The MathPaint home page on the Mathaesthetics website also features more information, screenshots, and a free 10-day demo version of the software:https://mathaesthetics.com/wp/mathpaint/

Connecting With a Virtual Art Community
Although MathPaint was only just released the app has already gained a following online on social media. MathPaint creator Christopher Corbell regularly posts images created with the program on Instagram and other channels. Digital art made with MathPaint has earned follows and “likes” from around the world.

“The images made with MathPaint have gained follows and likes from France, Brazil, Japan, Iran and other places around the world,” said Corbell. “At this time when we’re all isolated by the pandemic it’s really meaningful to see how art can connect us worldwide. There’s a virtual community around hashtags like #generative and #creativecode. Mathematical art has a kind of beauty, like music, which transcends cultures. Its visual forms reflect something in that’s in all of us, in our sense of harmony and our wonder at complexity. Anyone can appreciate these designs even if they don’t regularly do mathematics. That’s really what made me want to create MathPaint – it’s a program powered by math but it isn’t for doing math; it’s for making art. I think this kind of program might be really useful in education as well. It can give students a way to explore mathematics as a creative activity, motivated by wonder or playfulness.” 

Mathaesthetics
www.acreativetwistcorp.com

Introduction to MathPaint Video Tutorial
Mathaesthetics will be delivering MathPaint tutorials on its YouTube channel, accessible from within the application or in any web browser. The initial video tutorial is an introduction to the features of MathPaint, showing its variety of capabilities in action:
https://youtu.be/al-OtRTYxmI

About Mathaesthetics LLC

Founded in the summer of 2020, Mathaesthetics is a Washington limited-liability company based in Washougal. The company’s mission is to explore the intersection of technology and creativity with imaginative software products. Founder Christopher Corbell moved to Washougal in 2019 from nearby Portland. Corbell has worked as a software engineer since 2000 and has also participated in the Portland arts scene as a music composer, producer, and performer.

Mathaesthetics
An example of digital art.
/1 Comment/by
, ,

Education: Virtual Field Trips Broaden Student Experiences in Washougal

Field trips are often one of the most memorable learning experiences for young students.  The opportunity to go outside the classroom can be an exciting and impactful way to bring lessons to life. This is why Cape Horn-Skye Elementary first grade teachers, Darcy Hickey and Nicol Yung, decided to deliver the experience online.  

“The idea of having Virtual Field Trip Fridays came about from us as a team discussing how we could do something fun as a grade level and make it meaningful to the kids,” said Hickey.  “We chose Fridays because after a week of distance learning, we wanted the kids to have something fun and different to look forward to.  We set up a Zoom link for the entire first grade so all the students get to experience the field trip together.”

Students have participated in four virtual field trips so far this year.  “We have visited a dairy farm, an egg farm, an ice cream factory and a symphony,” explained Yung. “An upcoming field trip will be to attend a shadow puppet show.”

Each field trip is planned with a thought to science, literacy, and the arts. “For example, our trip to the symphony fell in line with our study of sound in science,” said Hickey. “We also love that it supported music standards.”  

A lesson unit in language arts involved fables, and since many centered around a farm setting, a virtual trip to an egg farm was arranged.  “Our trip was also a segue into doing a science experiment with eggs,” said Yung.  “Our art teacher, Alice Yang, was a special guest who joined us on our field trip to the dairy farm.  She led the students in a directed drawing of a cow.  The upcoming field trip to the shadow puppet show aligns with our study of light and shadows in science.”

“We want the kids to know and understand that despite the fact that we are in a remote learning situation, there are still many opportunities for them to experience and learn things about their world around them,” explained Hickey.  “We want them to know that they are still connected to the world and that they can participate in meaningful activities, experiments, literature and discussions about everyday things that are a part of their lives like eggs, milk, ice cream, light, and sound to name a few.”

Field
www.annrivers.com

Hickey and Yung strive to help students think about topics that they are familiar with more critically and on a larger scale. They provide hands-on science experiments and activities throughout the week that support the field trips.  For example, students were provided materials to do an experiment on how sound waves travel before the symphony.  For the upcoming puppetry field trip, they were given materials to create shadow shapes on the wall.

The most recent field trip to an ice cream factory on October 2nd also featured CH-S’s new principal, Brian Amundson, reading the book Should I Share My Ice Cream, by Mo Willems.  “This was a great way for our students to get to know Mr. Amundson since we aren’t in person right now,” said Hickey. “He also led the students through a STEM challenge.”

“The entire staff at Cape Horn-Skye is awesome,” said Amundson. “The creativity of the teachers and the ways they are finding to connect with students and families is amazing.”

The virtual time together this week ended with a surprise Dairy Queen gift card for a free ice cream. “We reached out to former School Board member, Teresa Lees, who contacted the manager of Cams DQ to ask about donating the 50 gift cards to our students,” said Hickey. “Donna from DQ was thrilled to be a part of this and didn’t hesitate to say yes.”

/0 Comments/by