June 18, 2010

Students tackling tough problems: "Kids Make a Difference" theme of this year's Quest Elementary Student Exhibition

"I picked this project because I like mechanics," Grant Vonderahe said as he took a socket wrench and tightened up one of the wheels in his "Go-Kart powered by Electricity."  "Learning about the controller and the link to the throttle and pedal were some of the new things I learned," Grant said. The project was a way to examine energy that was an alternative to gasoline according to mentor Greg Booth, Quest REACH teacher. The go-kart has two batteries and was spirited through the school as part of the demonstration.

Quest Elementary School Student Exhibition Day, June 18, a community-wide event, featured more than 50 different student projects including: modifications in sports for people with disabilities; disaster kits for the school; collections for the homeless; anti-smoking campaigns; and care packages for the military.  

"The Exhibition is the culmination of our graduates’ independent inquiry into a real-life issue and the action they are taking," said Principal Karen Spillman.  "This is a significant event in the life of an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme student, showcasing who he/she has become as a learner and sharing this with the entire community. " 

The event is a way students present their inquiry findings to larger audiences.  As an authorized Primary Years Programme of the International Baccalaureate, Quest Elementary annually holds the Exhibition for students who will be moving out of elementary school to middle school.  The Exhibition projects and presentations feature students' inquiry projects which have employed their knowledge, skills, attitudes and also an activity which would extend their learning into community service.  Among the topics and issues on tap will be subjects as diverse as child abuse, oil spills, bottle laws, childhood obesity, hunger, bullying and cyber-bullying, gangs, etc.

At left, Eric Piato presents Hilton Director of Athletics Michael Giruzzi with posters warning students of the dangers of steroid use in sports, part of his "The Potential Dangers and Effects of Steroids" presentation.  At right, Quest student Phillip Koenig presents "Cyber-Safety" to his class taught by Patrick Kruchten.  Rochester's WROC-TV 8 videotaped his presentation after he had done an earlier presentation to the Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Rochester. 

Among the array of topics students have researched are: alternative energy, overcoming physical disabilities, coral reefs, electronic waste, deforestation, auto salvage, bullies and gang violence, childhood obesity, abused and homeless animals, cancer; social issues such as animal abuse; homelessness, and natural disasters.

For further Information, call IB/PYP Coordinator Andrea Geglia at 585-392-1000 ext. 6119.