luckie
06-19-2006, 01:19 PM
Good to go; L'Anse Creuse fourth-graders learn about careers in transportation
BY MELANIE D. SCOTT
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Detroit Free Press
June 18, 2006
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060618/CFP06/606180439
Whizzing back and forth on a Segway Human Transporter, Karl Klimek captivated a group of fourth-graders as he described how the motorized scooter accelerates when the rider leans forward. As several students from Cindi Abdelnour's class at Tenniswood Elementary School in Clinton Township took turns riding the Segway, Klimek described what the children should be feeling. "First he realizes a different feeling in his back and his leg muscles should be flexing," Klimek said as Tyron Yeldon, 9, stood on the scooter. Tyron, who had a serious look on his face as he got onto the Segway, broke into a huge grin as he began to wheel forward. "It felt wonderful," he said.
About 300 fourth-graders from four L'Anse Creuse elementary schools participated in the school district's Transportation Career Fair held on June 8 at the Frederick V. Pankow Center in Clinton Township. The event, which is in its fourth year, focuses on all types of careers that involve transportation. This year, students from Higgins, Lobbestael, South River and Tenniswood elementary schools attended the fair. Two new vehicles debuted this year: the Macomb County Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) vehicle and a Zamboni from the Mt. Clemens Ice Arena. Vehicles were parked behind the center and students walked around to see how each of them worked and to hear how the speakers do their jobs.
Other vehicles featured at the fair included a SMART bus, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter, a Harrison Township fire engine, a boat used by the Macomb County Sheriff's Office Marine Division, a truck from the United Parcel Service of America (UPS), a MedStar Ambulance and a Macomb County road maintenance vehicle. "This is a different way for students to learn about different vehicles and the careers of those who operate the vehicles," said Laura Arnold, a Career Pathway development specialist for the district. "Fourth grade is also the first year elementary school students have a career exploration benchmark, which is part of our curriculum."
Klimek, a vice chairman and projects orchestrator for the Detroit-based Convergence Education Foundation, has shown more than 11,000 students across the metro area how the Segway works. "It's a small portion of what we do," Klimek said. "The foundation encourages kids to pursue careers in math and science."
Students from Lobbestael Elementary School in Harrison Township listened attentively as they learned about the Macomb County SWAT vehicle, which resembles a small-scale tank. "They immediately see all the armor and think it's cool," said Jeff Milke, an officer with the Sterling Heights Police Department. "The biggest thing we try to teach the kids is that we as police are approachable. We also stress safety with guns." After a brief presentation, students took turns getting inside the SWAT vehicle.
"It was cool, but my favorite thing here is the Segway because it's different from all the other things," said Lobbestael student Bailey Chavez, 9. While the students learned about the various careers in transportation, many of their teachers said they were having a good time too. "This is a great program because it opens up their eyes to opportunities in different careers," said Bob Westerhof, a fourth-grade teacher at Lobbestael. "It also teaches them a respect for people with these careers."
BY MELANIE D. SCOTT
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Detroit Free Press
June 18, 2006
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060618/CFP06/606180439
Whizzing back and forth on a Segway Human Transporter, Karl Klimek captivated a group of fourth-graders as he described how the motorized scooter accelerates when the rider leans forward. As several students from Cindi Abdelnour's class at Tenniswood Elementary School in Clinton Township took turns riding the Segway, Klimek described what the children should be feeling. "First he realizes a different feeling in his back and his leg muscles should be flexing," Klimek said as Tyron Yeldon, 9, stood on the scooter. Tyron, who had a serious look on his face as he got onto the Segway, broke into a huge grin as he began to wheel forward. "It felt wonderful," he said.
About 300 fourth-graders from four L'Anse Creuse elementary schools participated in the school district's Transportation Career Fair held on June 8 at the Frederick V. Pankow Center in Clinton Township. The event, which is in its fourth year, focuses on all types of careers that involve transportation. This year, students from Higgins, Lobbestael, South River and Tenniswood elementary schools attended the fair. Two new vehicles debuted this year: the Macomb County Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) vehicle and a Zamboni from the Mt. Clemens Ice Arena. Vehicles were parked behind the center and students walked around to see how each of them worked and to hear how the speakers do their jobs.
Other vehicles featured at the fair included a SMART bus, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter, a Harrison Township fire engine, a boat used by the Macomb County Sheriff's Office Marine Division, a truck from the United Parcel Service of America (UPS), a MedStar Ambulance and a Macomb County road maintenance vehicle. "This is a different way for students to learn about different vehicles and the careers of those who operate the vehicles," said Laura Arnold, a Career Pathway development specialist for the district. "Fourth grade is also the first year elementary school students have a career exploration benchmark, which is part of our curriculum."
Klimek, a vice chairman and projects orchestrator for the Detroit-based Convergence Education Foundation, has shown more than 11,000 students across the metro area how the Segway works. "It's a small portion of what we do," Klimek said. "The foundation encourages kids to pursue careers in math and science."
Students from Lobbestael Elementary School in Harrison Township listened attentively as they learned about the Macomb County SWAT vehicle, which resembles a small-scale tank. "They immediately see all the armor and think it's cool," said Jeff Milke, an officer with the Sterling Heights Police Department. "The biggest thing we try to teach the kids is that we as police are approachable. We also stress safety with guns." After a brief presentation, students took turns getting inside the SWAT vehicle.
"It was cool, but my favorite thing here is the Segway because it's different from all the other things," said Lobbestael student Bailey Chavez, 9. While the students learned about the various careers in transportation, many of their teachers said they were having a good time too. "This is a great program because it opens up their eyes to opportunities in different careers," said Bob Westerhof, a fourth-grade teacher at Lobbestael. "It also teaches them a respect for people with these careers."