Students stacking up
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 months, 3 weeks AGO
Columbia Ridge’s Lego Robotics team, Ridge Robotics presents their song and presentation to the school board Monday night. The board complimented the song.
NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
The Ephrata School District board room was completely full Monday night as students presented their Lego robotics presentations.
The Columbia Ridge Lego Robotics team walks into the board room for their presentation Monday night. The team sang a song and created their outfits which will help archaeologists stay cool and hydrated as they work.
Grant Elementary's Lego Robotics Team, Grant Goliaths presents their Innovation project to the school board.
The sixth grade Parkway Intermediate Lego Robotics team presented first at the meeting Monday night. Their team is named Parkway Pizzaz.
The fifth grade Parkway Pizzaz Lego team presented an innovation project on how to more efficiently date ceramics without carbon dating.
EPHRATA — The Ephrata School District board room was packed Wednesday night with people standing off to the side after all the seats filled, just to get a glimpse of the presentations. Children sang, shared their science projects and captured the attention of the school board.
“Lego robotics is a really positive way for kids to get involved with learning outside of the classroom. We are very proud of all of our Lego robotics teams, and we hope they have a good time at the competition,” Ephrata Communications Director Sarah Morford said.
The four Lego robotics teams at Ephrata School District made formal presentations to the board prior to the competition Dec. 6 in Wapato. After each presentation, school board members asked the students follow-up questions.
The teams come from Parkway Intermediate, Grant Elementary, and Columbia Ridge Elementary. There are two teams at Parkway, one for fifth graders and one for sixth graders and one team at each of the elementary schools.
There are three aspects the teams will be judged on at the competition. The first is sportsmanship. Then, an innovation project which consists of a problem students worked to solve with the theme of archaeology this year. Finally, students will take their Lego robots to the “board” and try to complete challenges in a timed period.
The students begin their projects at the beginning of the year, coming up with a problem to solve and building their robots. They will then practice several times a week on presentations for their innovation project and begin programming the robot to complete tasks. Some of the teams even had visual aspects they had built to go with their innovation project.
Last year, one of the teams had the opportunity to travel across the United States to compete in the national competition and visit the Statue of Liberty.
The Ephrata School District board room was completely full Monday night as students presented their Lego robotics presentations.
The Columbia Ridge Lego Robotics team walks into the board room for their presentation Monday night. The team sang a song and created their outfits which will help archaeologists stay cool and hydrated as they work.
Grant Elementary's Lego Robotics Team, Grant Goliaths presents their Innovation project to the school board.
The sixth grade Parkway Intermediate Lego Robotics team presented first at the meeting Monday night. Their team is named Parkway Pizzaz.
The fifth grade Parkway Pizzaz Lego team presented an innovation project on how to more efficiently date ceramics without carbon dating.ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
Grant County Sheriff candidates discuss transparency, trust
EPHRATA — As Grant County voters prepare to submit their primary ballots, three candidates are vying for the position as Grant County Sheriff including incumbent Joey Kriete and challengers Josh Sainsbury and Darrick Gregg are competing in the upcoming primary election. To help readers compare the candidates' priorities, qualifications and plans for the office, each was asked the same question and given an equal opportunity to respond.
Grant County Commissioner candidates deliberate fiscal responsibility, budgeting
EPHRATA — Four Republicans are seeking election to Grant County Commissioner Position 3 in the upcoming primary: Shannon Durfee, Kelly Raap, Seth Weeks and Janice Flynn. To give voters a clear comparison of the candidates' positions and priorities, each was asked the same set of questions and provided the same deadline to respond. Durfee, Raap and Flynn submitted responses by the deadline; Weeks did not respond.
Sheriff candidates discuss staffing, retention
EPHRATA — As Grant County voters prepare to select their next sheriff, incumbent Joey Kriete and challengers Josh Sainsbury and Darrick Gregg are competing in the upcoming primary election. To help readers compare the candidates' priorities, qualifications and plans for the office, each was asked the same question and given an equal opportunity to respond. This installment focuses on one of the most pressing challenges facing law enforcement agencies: recruiting, retaining and supporting qualified staff within the Grant County Sheriff's Office.