TEACHER AMANDA McBride was awarded a $5,000 grant from the TVA to support STEM (Science, Technology, Electronics, and Math) initiatives at Bedford Learning Academy (BCLA). She spoke to her students about their interests and stretched those dollars to provide a dazzling array of electronics, equipment, and materials.
A drone with an attached camera enables the students to conduct experiments in physics while learning the importance of capturing accurate data.
A greenhouse gives space for an Entomology (study of insects) Club as well as the possibility of gardening or other botany applications. The Entomology Club is partnering with the University of Tennessee to participate in a study of mosquitoes. Once the data is collected and the paper is written, the students will be published in an official scientific journal.
Broadcasting equipment, including a green screen, umbrella lights, and a video camera has enabled the students to begin creating short films. Next year, they plan to produce a news show with an accompanying newsletter covering current events and pop culture. Students learn about journalistic integrity and effective communication. This opportunity will promote diversity and inclusion within the school.
New robots give students an opportunity to expand the Robotics Club to over 30 robots. They learn how to follow directions, work in teams, and program robots. Coding robots provides a safe environment for students to work through frustrations and overcome challenges. Students participated in a design challenge with Legends of Learning where they designed and developed a video game with support from Dell and Roblox.
An Oculus Quest VR (virtual reality) unit brings history to life allowing students to walk inside a Dahli painting or visit the home of Anne Frank.
Inspiring students to consider their post-K-12 education while arming them with the life skills necessary to be successful is a specialty of Ms. McBride’s. She looks for the connection to curriculum and life skills in every interaction and every activity; offering tremendous opportunity for BCLA students to learn and grow.
Year-End Celebrations
The school year has ended with many reasons to celebrate Bedford County schools. The 590 graduating seniors were awarded over $2.9 million in scholarship monies. They are now moving on to the next chapter of their lives and we wish them much success and many happy days ahead.
Students just beginning their school careers in the fall, kindergarteners, and pre-K have begun getting registered and oriented to starting school. Imagine in the not-too-distant future we’ll be celebrating their high school graduations and scholarship monies awarded. What kind of new programs will be available to inspire them like the STEM initiatives Amanda McBride supports? How many of them will have dual enrollment and earn college credit while still in high school at the new TCAT-Shelbyville facility? Isn’t their future exciting, knowing the wonderful developments happening today in the educational system in Bedford County?
The Shelbyville Central High School
football team realized the Comprehensive Development Class classroom has been unable to participate in the local Special Olympics for the past two years due to COVID. The team organized a field day for the students that included relays, races, competitions, kickball, and pizza.
There is a new opportunity coming this year for the Career Technical Education (CTE) program. The information technology program will introduce students to fundamental computer science concepts, web design processes, project management, and interpersonal skill development in the workplace.
Let’s hope all of the hard-working educators, administrators, and support staff have the opportunity this summer for a well- deserved break. There’s a lot to celebrate from a challenging year. Let’s help bring some optimism to the 2021-22 school year. -GN
