LAUNCH Program takes educational expedition with NASA educator

Students enrolled in Kennett Public Schools who qualify for the district's gifted program recently participated in an educational workshop focusing on the subject of science and mathematics.

The event was led by NASA Educator Resource Center Coordinator, Jackie Wortmann, for the Linda Godwin Center for Science and Mathematics Education Center at Southeast Missouri State University. Funding for the program was made possible through NASA.

The first of two workshops hosted on Tuesday, which were held at the First United Methodist Church's Christian Life Center, was geared toward students in grades three through five, and the second portion was designated for sixth through eighth-graders.

Wortmann, who received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Science degree in Natural Science with an emphasis in Science Education from Southeast Missouri State University, conducted a series of exercises with students during each workshop, allowing them an opportunity to explore the areas of science and math through hands-on activities.

"Hands-on activities are something they will remember," Wortmann said. "Doing is learning. The science and math involved here is what will drive them to their future."

Wortmann said that she was impressed with the students' demeanor and willingness to learn. The educator added that each student participating in the workshop on Wednesday appeared to be interested in the lessons being shared and showed a great deal of responsibility, which was part of the main precept being taught through the experiments they worked on, specifically pertaining to the younger students.

Some of the experiments conducted included a focus on evidence of chemical reactions, which involved both science and math, where students gauged things such as temperature changes, making note of their findings and sharing them at the end of the session.

Following their experiments, the students participated in a question and answer period led by Wortmann, and each student indicated that they enjoyed the opportunity provided.

According to Southeast Missouri State University, much of the program's success can be attributed to Wortmann and her reputation as an outstanding educator. On the University Web site it says that Wortmann "has worked hard over the years to create a NASA presence in the heartland in terms of K-12 science, mathematics, and technology education. She also played an important role in the development of the Southeast Explorer Mobile Museum and its NASA: Spirit of Discovery exhibit and in the showing of the International Space Station exhibit, the NASA 2040 exhibit, and the Space: Dare to Dream exhibit in Cape Girardeau."

Kennett's Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Rayanna Dalton, provided information on the school's gifted program, known as LAUNCH. Students who participated in the recent workshop qualified for this program based on a systematic process used to identify them as applicable students. Generally speaking, students are selected for the LAUNCH program based on a continuous screening process that includes information contained in the student's permanent school records such as grades, national normed test scores, and recommendations made by students and parents. A breakdown of the program in its entirety is available per request through the school district. The criteria for the program is outlined in the student handbook designed for LAUNCH, and was Board of Education approved on June 15, 2010.