OUR SPRING BREAK
We just got back from Spring Break. I took advantage of Metro being closed for seven days and went on vacation. My husband and I were on a plane to Phoenix as quick as we could get one. I love Metro and I love my job— but I am always open to a week in the desert doing nothing.
As we sat on the runway, our departure delayed for a half hour or so, I couldn’t help overhearing a conversation in the seat behind us. A young man was asking if anyone had a pencil so he could do his homework. Someone nearby offered him one along with their approval that he was so eager to do his school work. He explained that he wanted to get it done so he could enjoy his vacation.
A few minutes later he offered it back, saying he was finished. As the lady nearby remarked that it didn’t take him very long, he said “I would do my biology work, but I’d need to turn on my computer for that. So I just did my Chinese homework. I just started Chinese this year, but I’m already reading and writing it.” At this, my husband and I exchanged a look.
The lady then remarked how impressed she was, and the young man said, “We’re even going to go to China this summer!” My husband said, “Is that a Metro kid?” and I turned to look and sure enough, there was Kyle Faber, one of our first-year students. Needless to say, he was as surprised to see me as I was him!
By this time, others nearby were asking about his trip to China, what school he attended and if I was one of his teachers. By the time we got to Phoenix, I made a deal with Kyle, “You come up with something new you learned on Spring Break and I’ll do the same, and we’ll write a blog about it.”
Here is his input:
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 Over my spring break, I learned three things rather than just one. The first is the difference between an asset and a liability, income vs. expense. Second, that barometric pressure changes cause stringed instruments' strings to break and warp. Finally, that helping deal with toddlers is not an easy task. – Kyle Faber
Hmmm… well, I was busy studying the desert plants and not financial things. Something tells me Kyle might be a millionaire musician before I even get through all the cactus varieties. |
Kyle before Spring Break at the Battelle STEM Fair
- - Posted April 7, 2008 - -
Diana Wolterman is on a two-year special assignment to Metro High School, where she will play a key role in furthering the collaboration between the private sector and education, including special projects to connect Battelle staff with the activities in the school, assisting with tours and visits, developing and implementing new experience-based curriculum support, and helping to document the process of creating a new STEM-focused learning experience. Diana also will document Battelle’s successes and missteps at Metro to help the organization learn from the experience and make good decisions going forward at Metro and in other educational activities.