The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1471357
22, 2022 A-2 STEAM Camp a success for PCMS students By Sherri Sebella News Editor sherri@pressdispatch.net Local middle school stu- dents from Pike County were able to enjoy a busy week at the Elmer Buchta Technology Center, who hosted STEAM Camp. STEAM camps are a collection of in-person sum- mer camp programs that fo- cus on science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Elementary students partic- ipated the previous week in the camp. Nikki Nalley, the Tech- nology Education teacher at Pike Central Middle School, along with Jeremy Ross, Art teacher for the Pike Central Middle/High School, over- saw the camp and planned fun activities and learning experiences for those who participated. "Last week we had two full sessions for the younger kids," Nalley said. "This week it has been middle school stu- dents who attended. Scott Willis has also been volun- teering his time, showing the kids how Elmer Buchta's 3-D printer works, and he helped with a rocket project the stu- dents did. They had to learn about tolerance, dimensions, problem solving, and Willis has been showing the kids what works and what doesn't with the construction of rock- ets we were making." Ross has been incorporat- ing art in the summer camp with projects consisting of making clay cups and paint- ing. "We have kept with a cylinder theme this week be- tween the cups and rockets," Nalley said. "I teach them with the engineering process that it is okay to make mis- takes, because they generally learn from those. Part of this process is improving their de- signs. The cups were glazed yesterday and then we fi red them in a kiln." One of the fi rst projects the students worked on was talking about solutions and crystals. To make things fun for the kids, Nalley taught them how to make rock candy that they could eat. Students also learned about solar energy and the sun. With that in mind, stu- dents were taught how to make solar ovens that they made hot dogs and smores in throughout the week. "Some of the students have taught me stuff," Nalley said. I took the idea of solar cookers from my classroom. We worked together and everyone made their own ovens. If they have them set up correctly, with this heat, they were super hot after 10 minutes." Pendulum painting was an- other activity students did on Thursday. With Ross as their guide, they were taught how to make an abstract painting by using a string hanging from the ceiling, with a bottle of paint attached, that they spun around to make unique designs. "They've been able to experiment with a lot of different things, between painting, coding, computer programming and cooking," Nalley said. "I hope what they take away from this camp is learning is a process. It's okay to make mistakes and go back and do things differ- ently. This is the fi rst year we had middle school students. I just love being with the kids and watching them learn. They teach me something new all the time." Canton Capehart works on his pendulum painting at Elmer Buchta Technology Center during the middle school STEAM Summer Camp, which focuses on science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Kierra Blaize, Kaelyn Long, Grayson Schultheis, and Kaydee Sims make smores in their solar ovens during STEAM Summer Camp. Each student made individual solar ovens to cook in throughout the week. While he was thinking about it, he thought about his work in the sheriff's depart- ment, how he had arrested parents and then 10 years lat- er he would arrest the kids. "I thought the middle school age is where we need to con- nect with these kids." While working there, he worked closely with Aaron Meyer, who is now principal at Winslow Elementary. Gaffney was working on a Title One-funded project, but when the funding ran out he then had to work at several schools. Gaffney said Meyer en- couraged him to consider the Pike Central position. "Pike Central is very much like Posey County where I was detective and deputy, and worked at all the school events and activities. Good, hardworking people. They have a passion for it and they want to see it succeed," said Gaffney. He also added, "It isn't the largeness of the EVSC." Gaffney said his contract offi cially starts on July 1, but he has already been making trips to Pike Central in prepa- ration to get started. COACHES HIRED Several coaching hires were made at last Tuesday's meeting. Former Pike Central stand- out basketball player Trey Wornica was hired as the girls basketball coach. Daniel Hay was hired as the boys soccer coach. Other recent athletic staff hires include: Renewing the contracts of several varsity coaches in- cluding: Kelly Brashear as head football coach; Stephanie Shedd as head volleyball coach; Chad Western as head girls soccer coach; Randy Graham as head cross country coach; Brent Beck as head boys tennis coach; Jarrod Gideon as head girls golf coach; and Jamie McKinney as varsity cheer coach. CHEESY CHICKEN BROCCOLI OR CHILI WEDNESDAY Cold Summer Sandwich Special $ 8.99 Cold ham, turkey or corned beef piled high with Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato slice on wheat or white bread with chips, cookie and a drink! * Boneless Pork Chop $ 8.99 Tender Pork Loin Baked with Special Spices and Parmesan Cheese served with Baked Potato, Green Beans or Buttered Peas and Carrots and a Drink * lunch & evening DAILY *Your Choice of Regular Coffee, Tea or Coke Product. Specials and menu items are subject to food availability from suppliers. /RandysAmericanaCafe Like us on Facebook! 7TH & MAIN STREETS • PETERSBURG Specials for June 22 – 28 specials fresh Dine-in & Carry-Out THURSDAY Ham Steak $ 8.99 Thick-Sliced Ham Served with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Green Beans or Buttered Peas and Carrots, Roll and a Drink * Meatloaf $ 8.99 Green Beans or Buttered Peas and Carrots, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Roll and Drink * Made-From-Scratch Friday Morning CHEESY POTATO OR CHILI FRIDAY SPECIALS CHILI Roast Beef Manhattan $ 8.99 Roast Beef Smothered in Gravy on Mashed Potatoes and Bread with Green Beans or Corn and Drink * Polish Sausage $ 8.99 with Sauerkraut, served with Cornbread, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy and a Drink * MON HAM & BEANS WITH CORNBREAD OR CHILI TUESDAY Taco Salad $ 8.99 Served with Sour Cream, Salsa and a Drink * CHILI Biscuits and Gravy $ 8.99 Served With Your Choice of Two Sides and a Drink * SATURDAY CHILI Spaghetti $ 7.99 Cheesy Mozzarella Toast, Side Salad and Drink * Turkey Manhattan $ 8.99 Turkey Breast Smothered in Gravy on Mashed Potatoes and Bread with Green Beans and Drink * Joe Mama's Evening Special Large Specialty Pizza receive a FREE order of Cheesy Mozzarella Bread Just $ 20.99 Monday–Saturday 7am-8pm 812-354-2004 Joe Mama's Pizza SERV I N G AFT E R 3 P M It's back! fresh CINNAMON ROLLS ARE BACK! WE ACCEPT N O W O PE N ! Old Hwy 41 South, Princeton CALL 812-385-6500 Your Professional Fireworks People Fully Stocked! PRINCIPAL Continued from page 1 By Sherri Sebella News Editor sherri@pressdispatch.net County commissioners discussed their concern over use of county roads without weight limits during Mon- day's meeting. Commission- er Ryan Coleman voiced his concern over County Road 775 East, off of Highway 64. "We paved this road 10 years ago," Coleman said. "We have to get a weight limit on this road. The surface is getting torn up every time." Josh Byrd, Highway Su- perintendent, talked to the Commissioners about how farmers are bringing multiple loads of turkey manure down County Road 775 East, that is tearing up the road. Byrd also said there are trucks hauling rock down the road, which adds to the bad condition of County Road 775 East. County Attorney Val Fleig told Commissioners that they need to set an ordinance for the weight limit and publish it before adopting the limit. Commissioners also vot- ed unanimously to release bonds pertaining to the road use of CR 775 East by Quality Woodland Products and Unit- ed Minerals. Under the bond, both companies are released from all further duties and lia- bilities under and pursuant to the Bond given to assure the restoration of the road. Commissioners voted unanimously to accept bids from Cave Quarries and As- phalt Materials for the Com- munity Crossings Grant for the road improvements. Maximus US Services, Inc. requested a three-year con- tract for cost allocation plans (2022, 2023, and 2024) for the county. The term covers four years, from January 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026. Judith Gumbel, Pike Coun- ty Auditor, said Maximus has brought in $ 34-37,000 per year for the County. The Commissioners approved the contract unanimously. Additional appropriations were requested from the Highway Department in the amount of $5,500 for Ma- chinery and Equipment and $ 8,000 for Tires were ap- proved unanimously. Byrd said Friday was a mess due to the storms. "We worked until 8 -9 p.m. Friday and got called out through the night and then again on Saturday and through Satur- day night," Byrd said. "We had calls Sunday, too. I want to thank Sheriff Kent John- son and EMS Director Chris Young for their help. Chris came in on his day off to help us. There were approximate- ly 150 trees down." Commis- sioner Coleman informed Byrd he knew of more trees that needed cleaning up. Commissioners said they held an Executive Meeting before the regular meeting on Monday to interview for the Courthouse Superinten- dent position due to the em- ployee retiring. Commission- ers voted unanimously to hire Jerry Blackwell to fi ll the po- sition of Courthouse Superin- tendent and set his start date as June 27. Commissioner Jeff Nelson asked the Commissioners to consider changing Com- missioner's Assistant Kristi Dischinger title to County Administrator due to her be- ing excluded on things she should be included in be- cause of confusion with her ti- tle. Commissioners approved the request unanimously. The next Pike County Commissioner's meeting will be 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 5, due to the holiday, at the Pike County Courthouse. Commissioners ponder weight limits on county roads