Trigonometry Conducts Innovative Thinking Activity

(Submitted by Sydney Blome and Veronica Parish)

On Thursday, August 29, Mr. Bradley's trigonometry classes completed their first lab regarding innovative thinking using methods of mathematics and design . Each pair was given a ruler, a roll of scotch tape, scissors, and a  single piece of paper. The challenge of this lab was to find the most ideal design, using only the sheet of paper, to support as many bricks as possible. Students were given twenty minutes to develop a structure that would support at least one brick for a passing grade.  

The structure had to stand at least five inches off the ground with a piece of cardboard balanced on top. Designs ranged from triangular prisms to cubes.The most successful designs were those that involved a cylindrical support.  The cylinders allowed the pressure of the brick to be evenly dispersed. Designs with sharp angles allowed the weight to collapse, weakening the paper and resulting in failure. Multiple structures had to be placed in such a way that weight could be evenly distributed among them and each side provided equal support. After each group’s design was tested, Mr. Bradley revealed that the most successful groups over the years all had the same idea; two wide based cylinders, one on each side.

Not only did this challenge pertain to trigonometry, but it also involved a lesson in architecture, engineering, and geometry. Mr. Bradley noted that the most structurally sound buildings are domes, because their weight is evenly supported without the need of much extra support. When it comes to these labs and the most effective solution, the answer really is to Keep It Simple!

Culinary Arts Class Studies Kitchen Sanitation

Culinary arts students are starting the year off with safety and sanitation in the kitchen. These students are engaged in a powder identification activity where they try to identify cooking powders vs. toxic cleaning powders by only look and feel through the bag. The results surprise students and they realize how important it is to identify and label everything in the kitchen.

Are You Interested In Supporting Chadron's FFA?

To support the new chartering of the Chadron High School FFA chapter, please attend our FFA Alumni organizational meeting.

Wednesday, September 11

7:00pm @ Chadron High School

Room #209

You do not have to be a former FFA member

to join an Alumni affiliate!

Anyone and everyone who supports agricultural education and the FFA is welcome to become a member. This will be the first year for Chadron High School to have a chartered FFA chapter since the early 1960's. To support this program, we will be chartering an FFA Alumni affiliate.    

The National FFA Alumni goal is for every FFA chapter to have an active Alumni Affiliate by 2020. The annual cost of membership is just $16.00 for State and National membership. There is also an option to pay a lifetime State and National membership for $210. Local dues will be discussed at the September 11th meeting, these dues will provide support directly to the Chadron High School FFA Chapter.

Please visit Nebraska's FFA website for more information.

More Outstanding Test Scores for CHS!

A quick summary of the 2013 NeSA Results for Chadron High School

• Chadron High School maintained the high level of excellence in all four subjects similar to last year to be one of the leading schools in the state for test scores.

• Nebraska increased the percentage of students meeting or exceeding the standards in all four subject areas as compared to last year.

• Chadron High School exceeded the state averages of percentage of students meeting or exceeding the standards ...in all four subject areas:
• 13% above state average in Writing
• 19% above state average in Reading
• 15% above state average in Math
• 13% above state average in Science

Highlights:

Writing:

• CHS had three perfect scores!
• CHS was 4% higher in 'meets standards' compared to last year!
• CHS decreased the 'below standards' by 5% compared to last year!

Reading:

• 46% of CHS students were in the 'exceeds standards' category!
• CHS decreased the 'below standards' by 2% compared to last year!

Math:

• CHS was 4% higher in the 'exceeds standards' category compared to last year!

Science:

• CHS maintained last years test results.
• CHS Science scores have the lowest percentage of students 'below standards'!

Picture Day - Sep 4th

Chadron High School

Picture Day

Wednesday, September 4th

Students will soon be able to pick up a packet with ordering and price information at the office.

CHS Matches Highest ACT Average In Years!

I've had the chance to look at the ACT scores of our 2013 graduates which was recently released. I probably should not say that I was surprised ... but I was surprised when I saw our highest ACT Composite average in many years!

When looking at this data, an important piece to interpret is the number (or percent) of graduates who have taken an ACT. Nebraska ranks very high with typically around 75% (last year an amazing 84%) of graduates that have taken an ACT compared to Eastern states that might have as few as 10-30%.  As you can imagine, if a school (or state) has, say 50% of graduates take the ACT, chances are that they are high performing students. Whereas a state like Colorado, that is one of several states where 100% of graduates take the ACT, will typically have a lower overall average.

With that said, Chadron High School consistently has 90-95% of graduating seniors that have voluntarily taken the ACT.  This past year was no different. Here's a summary of our data with comparisons to trends from past years that I've managed to find.

2013 National Average:    20.9
2013 Nebraska Average:   21.5
2013 Chadron Average:  22.7

Chadron High School Historical Trend of ACT Composite Averages

• 2013   22.7
• 2012   21.4
• 2011   21.9
• 2010   22.8
• 2009   20.6
• 2008   21.3
• 2007   20.6
• 2006   21.9
• 2005   20.2
• 2004   21.5
• 2003   21.0
• 2002   22.3

This year, ACT has updated the 'college readiness benchmark scores', making minor changes to the English and Science benchmarks. Benchmark scores are set through collaborative research with postsecondary institutions nationwide to show student readiness for college-level coursework.

Percent Of Students Meeting All Four Benchmarks (English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science):

• CHS   36%
• State   28%

As you can imagine, we are very proud of the academic achievements we have been maintaining. We strive each year to improve our system approach to student learning beginning in elementary grades all the way through our high school classrooms.

A special thanks to all of our teachers and students for their efforts!!!

For parents or students specifically interested in ACT preparation, I'd encourage you to visit with our guidance office for materials and to utilize some of the many online test prep materials including the ACT Online Prep.