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Area students explore new worlds through Project SEEKBy Danielle Strenke This summer, area students have been learning Italian, constructing Lego robots and taking acting lessons from professional actors. But they havenít had to travel to a program somewhere in the metro area or take a class through a college. Through the work of Katsy Hanson, Project SEEK is offered each year in Chisago County. Project SEEK is a tuition-based, 13-day program featuring specialized classes in a variety of subject areas. This year, the program ran from June 12 through June 28. Around 25 classes were offered, ranging from topics in science, technology, languages, acting, media and even a survival skills course. It is available for students in grades 1-7. Although it is held in Chisago County, students from Pine City, Hinckley-Finlayson and Sandstone are also invited to attend the classes, along with students from North Branch, Rush City and Chisago Lakes school districts. Hanson began the Project SEEK program ten years ago. She saw a similar program being run in the metro area, but realized it was too far for residents of Chisago County to drive. ìI developed the concept, and then worked with the St. Croix Education District,î Hanson said. Project SEEK was held for a handful of students for the first time in 1993. This year, 350 young people are taking part, with many from the North Branch and Rush City school districts. The classes are specifically designed for high ability students, who are recognized as gifted or talented in some area. ìThe students are recommended for the course by their teachers,î Hanson said. For first graders, there is an invitation-only policy, where teachers submit the names of students recognized as exceptionally good readers and problem-solvers. There is one class offered at the first grade level, Recipe for Literature Fun. While the title implies reading only, the class is more interdisciplinary, incorporating art and math as well. When a student has been recommended by a teacher, information about the specific course is sent home to parents. Tuition fees are $185 for the program, which includes transportation and a field trip during the course. Fees are reasonable because of supplemental funding from each of the participating school districts. Hanson said the teachers of each course can either be licensed teachers or simply professionals in an area who wish to share their expertise. ìWeíve had professional sculptors and professional dancers teaching courses. Even for teachers, itís not necessarily something they teach but rather something they have a passion for or strong interest in,î she said. If someone is interested in teaching a course, they are invited to submit a proposal for the class. Teachers are reminded that curriculum for the courses should not replicate what is taught during the regular school year, giving students the opportunity to learn something completely different. Class sizes are kept small, with no more than 15 students per teacher. Some of the classes have only 10 students, and others are limited to 12 students. Course offerings vary, with topics including Project Survivor, languages like Italian, French and Spanish, several science and culturally-based courses, Lego Logo, Outdoor Adventures and Shakespeareís Kids. The classes are designed to not only provide new educational experiences, but make it fun. In the Lego Logo class, students have the opportunity to design carnival rides out of Legos and then equip them with robotics to be operated through a computer. And what would make any class more exciting than the chance for a field trip? As the courses wound down last week, students in each class went on field trips related to their subject matter. Students in the Italian course went to eat at an Italian deli, where they delighted other customers with Italian songs they had learned in class. Project Survivor students went to Vertical Endeavors, where they were able to test their skills at scaling walls and rocks and swinging from ropes. The Shakespeareís Kids class went to Park Square Theatre, where they picked up acting and stage fighting techniques from professional actors. At the end of the course, an open house is held for parents and families to view the projects their students have been working on. Hanson said the response from students and parents has been overwhelmingly positive. ìLast year, 98 percent of the students said they liked it and wanted to participate next year,î she said. In fact, Project SEEK 2002 has 89 students who have participated three years or more in the program. Hanson said she believes this is the only program offered like this outside of the metro area. ©ECM Post Review |