Sixth-graders Kamille Learn-Spain, left, and Maya Herrera of John F. Kennedy Catholic School in Davenport, measure liquid in a science exercise during a visit last month at Assumption High School in Davenport.
By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
DAVENPORT — For at least 25 years, sixth-graders from Catholic schools have visited Assumption High School to learn about food and science in a fun way. Students from Lourdes in Bettendorf and All Saints, John F. Kennedy and St. Paul the Apostle schools in Davenport visited during April.
“Two of our long-tenured science teachers — Wendy Martin and Rona Wallace — have helped with the science portion of this event that entire time,” said Stephanie Schroeder, Assump-tion’s admissions director. This year, students learned about science classes they can take in high school and participated in an activity using graduated cylinders and test tubes to measure red, blue and yellow-colored water to come up with other desired colors on their worksheets.
The visiting students also expanded their STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) experience by learning about robots. Members of Assumption’s robotics team showed the students Chopsticks, the robot the Assumption team built, programmed and used in competitions with other area schools this year.
David Simpson, who coaches Assumption’s robotics club, has taught at the school for nearly 30 years. The robotics demonstrations have been a part of the visiting schools’ activities for about eight years. He told the students about the robotic club’s preparations for competition, the roles of each team member and their teamwork.
Foods teacher Sue Huber led the sixth-graders in an activity making cinnamon roll waffles, “which were a big hit,” Schroeder said. Huber provided the students with details about food class and responsibility and safety in the kitchen.
