Teacher Robert Steinline has scheduled his annual Land Speed Rocket Car racing for this Friday, May 27th at 4 p.m. at the Springfield High School Track. If the weather cooperates, attendees will enjoy an exciting afternoon of racing. Under less than ideal conditions, cars have already attained 67 mph,(two miles per hour under the school's existing record). Although the parachute constructed to help stop the rocket is adequate, for the first time ever during initial trials, all the cars required the use of the safety blanket located 350 feet from the starting line to come to a complete stop!
For those unfamiliar with Land Speed Rockets, they are built in the classroom by Springfield High School technology/pre-engineering students. Thanks to funds donated by Springfield Schools Foundation, the students test their rockets in an authentic wind tunnel, which allows them to identify areas or improvement/concern. Once deemed race ready, the rockets are taken to the track and compete to exceed the school's existing speed records.
Students in the Astronomy class at Springfield High School can now see what they learn about in lectures thanks to a telescope purchased with a Classroom Grant from Springfield Schools Foundation. Teacher Jim Schall has organized weekly “Star Parties” where students use the telescope to study stars as well as the moon and the planets. Among other things, students have learned to use the telescope’s sophisticated triangulation system. Once they locate three objects in the night sky, they can type in what they want to see and the telescope will position itself for optimal viewing.
“You would not believe the amount of excitement that the telescope generates with the students," says Mr. Schall. "What a wonderful addition to the science program at Springfield High School.”
After winning the Foundation’s Laws of Life essay contest in January 2010, SHS graduate, Brittany Teale, went on to take the top prize in the State of Ohio. She and teacher, Mark Davidson, accepted the award in Columbus on September 23.
With support from Toledo, Ohio-based Savage and Associates and contributions from northwest Ohio's Better Business Bureau, the Springfield Schools Foundation gives cash awards to students who write the best essays each year.
The Springfield Schools Foundation sponsors the Laws of Life contest because it encourages students to reflect on principles and people who have been influential in their lives. Brittany’s winning essay, for example, was about what she learned from helping at a shelter for homeless women.
To read Brittany’s inspiring essay, Pizza on Paper Plates, please visit the Springfield Schools Foundation's homepage at www.springfieldschoolsfoundation.org
You are only as good as your word. Honesty is the best policy. To have a friend, be one. The Laws of Life are the core values that we take with us wherever we go and whatever we do. The Laws of Life Essay Contest challenges young people of all ages to discover for themselves the values that will guide them throughout life.
The Annual Meeting of the Springfield Schools Foundation will be held at the Springfield Local School District Administrative Office, on December 4, 2009 at 7:30 am. This meeting is open to the public.
For more information contact Executive Director Cheryl Hasenaur at 419.861.2490.