MS Blazer Buzz 18 March
This week's highlight: National History Day!
Southwest Regional National History Day Competition at UNC Charlotte
Woodlawn middle schoolers participated in the Southwest Regional National History Day Competition at UNC Charlotte on Saturday, March 16. Students wrote papers, created websites and produced documentaries, exhibits and performances focusing on this year's National History Day theme, Turning Points in History - People, Events and Ideas. Several Woodlawn students' projects and papers were selected for the state level of the National History Day Competition in Raleigh on April 27. Students received first, second and third place ribbons, certificates and gift card prizes.
For the complete list of 2013 Woodlawn School winners, see our National History Day page.
Contributed by Beth Robinson
MS Blazer Buzz 11 March
This week's highlight: Raptors!
As part of their study of birds, Woodlawn sixth graders visited the Carolina Raptor Center on Friday, March 8. During the visit, the class participated in a program focusing on the needs of birds, their role in the ecosystem and how we can help raptors. While on campus, students participated in field mapping exercises, observation of bird behaviors and a study of bird habitats and migration patterns.
Contributed by Jen Conrad
MS Blazer Buzz 4 March
This week's highlight: Brains!
Dr. Ramirez, a professor of neuroscience at Davidson College, along with some of his best and brightest students, paid a visit to Woodlawn School earlier this week and introduced the seventh grade to just a few of the brain's many marvels.
Students participated in activities based on concepts as complex as visual perception and how the brain constructs reality to exercises involving simple memory patterns and basic recall. They were given candy to create models of neurons, the cells that comprise the nervous system, and learned about how these wonders of nature communicate with each other through the use of neurotransmitters. They discussed the role of cerebrospinal fluid, which helps to cushion and protect the brain, and even took a short quiz on comparative neuroanatomy. And most memorably, the kids got to see what an actual human brain looks like! Needless to say, when the unveiling took place, opinions varied.
Zoe Milburn commented that the brain looked “really cool,” whereas Finn Bridgeford asserted that “it was absolutely disgusting.” But on this one point all of the students agreed: the human brain is an awesome and fascinating organ!
Contributed by Kendall Evans
Ms Blazer Buzz 25 Feb
This week's highlight: Yoga
During the month of February in middle school fitness classes, students learned about the practice and philosophy of yoga. Mrs. Elizabeth O'Connell, parent of William '12 and current junior John, led each of the middle school sections in a complete yoga experience, sharing with them a variety of poses and emphasizing the role yoga can play in managing stress and improving overall health.
Contributed by Kristen Wiesenmayer
MS Blazer Buzz 18 Feb
This week's highlight: Eighth grade collections
Why are we compelled to collect things? Some psychologists believe it may be traced back to our history as hunters and gatherers. Our collections offer details about who we are as individuals and as a culture. We may chose to collect items because of sentimental value or because of our relationships to various material items. The eighth graders have been examining collections throughout the disciplines in an effort to discover why we collect and what collections may reveal about us as a society. One part of this investigation was to interview collectors to find out why they collect, how their collections began and how much they are willing to spend on their collection. The students applied their knowledge of composition and the power of multiples versus a single item through a series of photographs of each collection to go along with their interview. Throughout this process the students met interesting people and learned more about their own family members while also discovering what collections may tell us about our society, our history and ourselves.
Contributed by Kim Lysne
