BATCHELDER THIRD GRADERS who placed second nationwide in the annual ExploraVision National Science Teaching Association competition were recognized by the School Committee for their achievement. The inventors of Project FOREST, which envisions using drones to fight forest fires safely from the air and re-seed forests are, from left: Ethan and Finn Huber, Logan Vath and Joseph Morrison. Congratulating them are (back row, from left): Principal Michael Maloney, third-grade teacher Bill Cassell and their moms/coaches Katherine Huber, Vanessa Vath, and Lara Morrison. (Neil Zolot Photo)

By NEIL ZOLOT

 

NORTH READING – Four L.D. Batchelder Elementary School third graders recently placed second in the national science competition, ExploraVision, sponsored by National Science Teaching Association and Toshiba.

“They don’t give you a problem to solve, but ask you to find a problem to solve to create and manage a better world,” their teacher and project supervisor, Bill Cassell, said the Batchelder School’s annual presentation to the School Committee on May 8 during which these students were recognized for their achievements.

The foursome of students, Ethan and Finn Huber, Joseph Morrison, and Logan Vath, chose the issue of how to extinguish forest fires in hard to access places as their task. They called it Project FOREST, spelling it partially in all capital letters to emphasize the importance of forests.

They settled on the use of drones carrying environmentally friendly chemicals as the best method. “Their solution addressed the problem of fighting fires where water is scarce and it would be dangerous for firefighters, using safe chemicals,” Cassell explained. They also envision using the same drones to be used to re-seed the forest floor with seed pods to help regrow forests following wildfires.

Also helping with supervision of their project were parents Katherine Huber, Lara Morrison and Vanessa Vath. “The boys are very excited to celebrate this,” Lara Morrison said. “This feels pretty good,” Ethan Huber said. “It’s great,” Finn Huber added.

Their presentation for the School Committee was the final part of an evening highlighting activities at the Batchelder School during the School Committee’s annual meeting there. The program started with some classical music and jazz played by young musicians led by music teacher Daniel Muse, who also played trumpet with the students.

That was followed by an explanation of the Mary Blair Mural and other art projects in the school by art teacher Ashley Doke. Works by every one of 460 or so students on exhibit for the schools Arts Night on May 4 were left in place for School Committee members and others to see.

Doke highlighted a fish printmaking project by third-graders, a positive words pop art project by fourth graders, and a series of self-portraits inspired by Tim Burton movies by fifth-graders in addition to saying Blair was chosen, in part, because she was one of the first women hired by Walt Disney, and she designed the iconic “It’s Small World” ride, which premiered at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair.

Principal Michael Maloney called Doke’s art room “a calm and easy place for students to learn” and pointed out a lot of her projects involve research and learning beyond the scope of art.

“I’ve seen a lot of amazing art in the district in the last few weeks,” School Committee member Rich McGowen told Doke. “There’s amazing work going on here and the more you can get it out there the better.”

Next came a briefing on the second-grade All Around North Reading mapping project, in which students mapped out trips between popular locations around town, including the Batchelder, Flint Memorial Library, golf course, stores and restaurants. “They generally chose places they have a connection to,” teacher Colleen Giuffrida explained.

They also had to create scripts in which the directions were explained and made videos animating the routes and showing the locations. The scripts included some satirical commercials for the stores and restaurants. Teacher Katherine Fay said the project taught students the ability to read a map, and to think and speak sequentially to give directions.

The project also involved the use of digital technology and green screens to create the videos, under the direction of digital learning teacher Christine Lindsay. One of the lessons learned through this experience was described by one student who said: “You can’t wear green in front of a green screen; you disappear!”

“We are fortunate to have such a knowledgeable digital learning specialist,” Fay said.

When asked how all this ability to do everything was handled in the time frame of the project, Giuffrida told committee members, “We taught all the skills they needed before it.”

“A synergy of skills in all this was important,” Maloney added. “For them to have these skills is remarkable.”

Member Noelle Rudloff called the project “fantastic” and said the students showed a flair for marketing as well as geography.

Superintendent Dr. Patrick Daly said all the students did a “great job” on their various projects.

“It’s nice to see all these projects,” Committee Chair Scott Buckley. “It’s nice to see all these things in action.”

Maloney thanked all the teachers, parents and other school staff involved in these projects. “A very big thank you for all they do,” he said.

Similar presentations were given at the Hood School during the School Committee’s March 13 meeting. On Monday, May 22, they will convene at the Little School, 7 Barberry Road for its presentation by students and teachers.