Student Academic Outreach:

Articles:
2004–2005 Activities Handbook
Rigor, Relevance and Relationships!
A Special "Thank You" to Bethany Lutheran College
Upcoming Events

2004–2005 Activities Handbook

Welcome to all previous participants of the student academic outreach activities and to all potential new schools! The 2004-05 Handbook is posted to our website: www.mnscsc.org where you may download it or bookmark it for easy reference. A printed copy will also be mailed to your district shortly. This is the last year we will utilize both a print and online format for our Handbook. In subsequent years, the Handbook will be posted to the SCSC website for your quick and convenience access.

Please take a moment to read the activity descriptions in the Handbook carefully. These programs offer students at various grade levels opportunities to experience academics in ways designed to encourage, motivate and inspire them to become life-long learners. Critical thinking, creativity, self-challenge and team-work is some of the components found in these academic programs. Integration of these activities into the classroom can be beneficial to both students and teachers as they work toward compliance with the state report card requirements for "No Child Left Behind."

Please contact the academic program coordinators listed in the catalogue for further information on the activities. Best wishes for the 2004-05 academic year.

Rigor, Relevance and Relationships! By Wanda Sommers Nielsen

Rigor, Relevance and Relationships is the new "catch phrase" you will be hearing a lot about. I first heard those words this summer at various education leadership conferences and they resurfaced as I began to think about the 2004/05 academic competition year. South Central Service Cooperative strives to provide students with a variety of learning activities not only to enrich students in need of stimulating educational opportunities (rigor), but also to provide students with the opportunity to promote a love of "life-long learning", further develop communication and teamwork skills (relevance), and enhance relationships between peers, teachers, and community members.

Interestingly, the Minnesota Department of Education has positioned academic enrichment opportunities for students of all ages as part of the requirement for the new "state report card's five star rating." The bottom line –schools are being encouraged to offer a variety of educational activities in order to receive the highest "star rating" in the Advanced Academic Opportunities area of the report card. This recognizes the value of academic enrichment as a complement to a schools basic curriculum.

Please take a few minutes to review the many exciting educational opportunities that SCSC hosts each year in our "Student Academic Outreach Programs Handbook," or in the Center for Academic Excellence's "Reach for the Stars" booklet and let us help you meet the new requirements and give your students life-changing experiences!

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A Special "Thank You" to Bethany Lutheran College

for opening their campus to South Central Service Cooperative as the host for the Fine Arts Conference in January 2005 and the Young Writers Conference in March 2005. For more information on these events, www.mnscsc.org click on the SCSC Academic Outreach Programs Handbook and/or the Program Pages.

Upcoming Events

Attention All Junior & Senior High Social Studies Teachers "Close-Up Washington Teacher Workshop"

September 27, 2004
4:00 pm–6:00 pm
Snell Motors Community Room, Mankato, MN

Presenter: Rachel Gilman, Close-Up Foundation

Workshop Registration & Information: www.mnscsc.org

Bull or Bear? Play the "Stock Market Game" Teacher Workshop

November 17, 2004
9:00 am–3:00 pm (lunch included)
Technology Plus – Classroom B, Mankato, MN

Elementary – Middle School – High School Students Can Play
Learn about the world of finance and the stock market while investing
hypothetical dollars in common stocks.

Workshop Registration & Information: www.mnscsc.org

Calling all Student Artists! SCSC Fine Arts Conference

January 5 & 6, 2005
Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN

Explore a variety of subjects related to art. Join us for a day of hands-on learning and fun with the arts!

For more information on this event: visit www.mnscsc.org, click on the SCSC Student Academic Outreach Programs Handbookand/or the Fine Arts Conference Page

Middle School Faculty - Future Cities Competition is for You! Teacher Orientation

October 7, 2004
3:30–5:30 pm
Northport Building,
North Mankato, MN

A national program to introduce students to engineering using the popular simulation software-Sim City. Students design future cities, build scale models, write essays and give oral reports. Practical applications of math, science, social studies, and computer learning are utilized while creating a "future city" for the competition. Engineering mentors are available.

Orientation Registration & Information: www.mnscsc.org

Midwest Wireless Sr. High Knowledge Bowl Coaches Meeting

October 20, 2004
12:30–3:00 pm (lunch included)
Northport Building, North Mankato, MN

Discuss competition format, team structure & strategies, preparation for the 2004-05 season, scoring training, and more.

Meeting Registration & Information: www.mnscsc.org. Click on Events and/or the Knowledge Bowl Page

Minnesota Academic Decathlon Information Meeting

October 4, 2004
4:00–5:30 pm
South Central Service Cooperative
North Mankato, MN

Discuss competition format, team structure & strategies,
curriculum materials for the 2004-05 season, practice questions, and more.

Meeting Registration & Information: www.mnscsc.org. Click on Events and/or the MN Academic Decathlon Page

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