On Jan. 31, the “Ozone Robo Snowcones” robotics team from Big Shanty Intermediate competed in the State First Lego League Robotics Competition at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia. Students from elementary and middle schools around Georgia competed in the areas of: robot design, programming, team collaboration, and a research project presentation. This year’s topic focused on climate issues.

The team, coached by Monica Burke, won first place at the state competition for their creative research project presentation. Students researched how to reduce the impacts of smog and focused on the problem of eliminating greenhouse gases released by automobiles. As part of the solution, team members performed a skit and shared their hybrid car design. This car uses ethanol and has a sky mine attachment that takes in the CO2 and turns it in to baking soda.

The “Ozone Robo Snowcones” team is Jake Gould, Hannah Meyers, Delaney Rickles, Grayson Bellamy, Kieran Clark, Molly Lauth, Sophia Smith and Will Stallings.

The “Ozone Robo Snowcones” have received massive support from Big Shanty principal Lynne Hutnik, teachers Mr. Bill McAllister, Mrs. Melissa Gerhardt, and Mrs. Marlene Crane, and parents.

The Wheeler High School CircuitRunners robotics team recently took third place honors at the South’s BEST Regional Tournament at Auburn University.  South’s BEST is one of three championships of BEST Robotics, Inc. and hosts 50 winning teams from competition sites in Illinois, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama each December.

More than 3500 students, teachers, team mentors, parents, and other supporters attended the two-day event.  Out of over 50 championship teams from the northeast and south, Wheeler took Third Place in Table Display and Interviews and Third Place in the tournament’s Overall Top Award, the BEST Award.  In addition, the CircuitRunners were named winners of the Southern Style Award, for Honesty, Integrity, Team Work and Dedication, the top honor awarded to Wheeler as voted on by all the 50 participating teams.

Cobb County Schools and the Marietta Housing Authority are working to bridge the digital divide.  MHA and the School System have collaborated to bring free desktop computers and internet connections to families at MHA properties in Acworth who have students at Cobb County High Schools.

Sixteen-year-old Hillgrove High student Corinthia Beavers was so excited to receive a computer that she told her Mom that “I don’t need anything else for Christmas!”   Now when she needs a computer to help with homework, she won’t have to wait in line at the local public library. A shiny desktop computer, complete with a printer and Internet access, sits in the living room of the home she shares with her mom and three siblings.

Approximately 11 computer packages are being installed at MHA Acworth households, according to Ella Murphy, MHA Acworth Senior Property Manager.  Over the past two years, MHA has provided this equipment to other MHA families, much to the excitement of Marietta High School students who no longer have to rely on limited school computer time or go to the library for access.  Last summer, the Acworth Housing Authority agreed to contract with MHA to manage their public housing program and ultimately absorb the program.  MHA has therefore expanded the computer program to include Acworth families.

“The Marietta Housing Authority is pleased to be able to offer these computers to our residents in high school,” said MHA Vice Chair Fran Sutton.  “It is crucial in these times that our students have ready access to technology that gives them the same learning advantages as held by other students.  These students can then succeed in improving their lives and the lives of those around them.”  Angela Williams, an assistant principal at North Cobb High School, noted that having access to technology, including the Internet, is crucial for students and parents. “Students can use the computers for their assignments and parents can monitor students’ grades online,” Williams said.

Congratulations to James Vesper, fourth grader at Varner Elementary, who was one of 175 students
from Cobb County, Paulding County and Marietta City schools to participate in the North Metro Regional Technology Fair last month. James placed second in the 3rd/4th grade division of the
Digital Video Editing category.

Parents of Mt. Bethel Elementary students got a first look at the District’s 21st Century Classroom technology during an open demonstration Nov. 29, 2007. First grade teachers Kim Osburn and Maribeth Smith exhibited the capabilities of the new interactive whiteboards for parents, explaining how the software helps teachers deliver curriculum standards to students.

Kim Osburn guided students as they played learning games that reinforce their classroom activities.

Desktop computers also are part of the 21st Century Classroom, providing students with interactive tools to learn vocabulary, test math comprehension and create digital artwork.

State-of-the-art digital projectors connect to teachers’ laptops and the interactive whiteboards, so teachers and students share an interactive workspace. Wireless broadband Internet access allows teachers to enhance lessons through online resources.

The student response systems provide each 21st Century Classroom with a complete set of response remote controls. Students use the remotes to answer questions and verify their understanding of subject matter, giving teachers instant feedback.

Teacher Maribeth Smith explains the response remote controls to her students.

Mt. Bethel is one of seven demonstration schools for the 21st Century Classroom initiative, along with Bells Ferry, Belmont Hills, Clay, and Green Acres elementary schools, Durham Middle School, and Sprayberry High School. The technology is currently being installed in 400-500 classrooms throughout the District and will be active by the beginning of second semester in January 2008. For more information, see the 21st Century Classroom section of the District Web site.