A CFHS showcase of education

CLARK FORK — Noxious weeds have the ability to knock out entire species of plants.

This is one of the facts Clark Fork Junior High seventh-grader Jackie Lounsbury and eighth-grader Payton Rains learned this year in the school's junior high experiential learning track.

"They can even knock out an entire species of animal by eliminating their food source," Lounsbury said during Friday's experiential learning showcase day. "They can cause up to $3 million in damage each year, and if left untreated, they can spread up to 4,600 acres per day."

For the junior high students, many of their showcase projects were focused on the outdoors.

Eighth-graders Cole Reuter and Carter Sanroman, for instance, studied Round Lake, located off Dufort Road in Sagle. The best part of the project, they said, was the approximately two-mile hike around the lake. Seventh-grader Devon Brown studied Antelope Lake, a 17.7-acre gem east of Clark Fork.

Not all of the seventh- and eighth-graders stuck to the junior high track, which is a one of several new tracks in Clark Fork Junior/Senior High School's experiential learning track program this year. Another new track enjoyed by junior high and high school students alike is family consumer science.

Nicole Paciuti, seventh grade, had samples of hard candy she learned how to make in family consumer science. Paciuti said she was surprised at how "really, really easy and fun" the concoction was to make.

"It seems like it would be really complicated, but it's not," she said.

Corrine Boudousquie, eighth grade, learned how to sew in family consumer science, creating her own "comfy lounge pants," and freshman Reba Decker and eighth-grader Rachel Dick learned how to make decorative pillows.

Cameron Garcia, a freshman who is new to the area, chose to take part in the health and wellness track — another track that was integrated into the program this year.

"I like health and wellness because you get to help people," Garcia said, using a trip to the animal shelter as an example. "I tried to encourage people to go adopt some of the animals — It's not their fault they are in there."

For his showcase project, Garcia focused on hiking, which he said can lower the risk of heart disease, helps people stay fit and can often help people live longer. It is a great idea for family vacations as well, he said.

Also participating in Friday's showcase were CFHS sophomores like Sara Hathaway, who enjoys fly tying in the outdoors track. Hathaway said she doesn't like the sport of fishing much, but she likes the art of creating the flies.

The experiential learning track showcase is an opportunity for the students to show off what they learned this year.

"It gives an opportunity for the community to come see what the experiential learning track program looks like — What are the kids doing?" said Mike Turnlund, CFHS instructor and experiential learning track coordinator.

It also teaches the students basic skills of communication and presentation. The seventh- through tenth-graders participated in the showcase event, which was integrated with their English classes. Rebecca Palmer, CFHS English teacher, judged each of the presentations.

Earlier in the day, the seniors, who are all required to participate in the independent track, presented their senior projects. The independent track, developed by Palmer, allows students to find a mentor in the community and job shadow them.

The senior project presentations, which are combined with their independent track experiences, are judged by members of the community. In addition, the CFHS juniors are required to be the audience for the presentations. They analyzed the senior projects and will write a paper on their observations.

"This also prepares them for what they have to do next year," Turnlund said. "Some juniors have already found a mentor for next fall when they become seniors."

Along those same lines of preparing students for future education, sixth-graders from Hope Elementary attended the showcase event to interview the presenters.

"This was doing two things," Turnlund said. "They were doing a research project ... and they were getting exposed to what they are going be doing next year. We try to integrate a lot of things with Hope."

Photos and updates for each of the experiential learning tracks, as well as information on other happenings at CFHS, are available on the school blog at wampustalks.blogspot.com.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.