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Sherman Students Assist NASA Through GLOBE Program

SHERMAN — Sherman School Board of Education members learned at their meeting on Nov. 21 that school students are collecting and recording data for the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment Program (GLOBE).

Sherman Science teacher Mrs. Traci Thompson told the board that the GLOBE program is linked to NASA and scientists will use data gathered by students to help them with their studies. “The students’ findings are going to be published,” she said.

Thompson said that students in her Earth Science class, Science 8, and Forensic class are collecting and recording data. Measurements taken by the students using the GLOBE Calitoo sun photometer can be used to accurately measure aerosol concentration in the column of air above them, she said.

“We need a new weather station at our school, so I’m applying for a grant to get one,” she added. Scientists will use the Calypso satellite to measure aerosol optical thickness, as well as the data gathered by students to determine what is really happening to the aerosols in the atmosphere, she added.

In other business, District Superintendent Michael Ginestre noted the steady use of the new outdoor classroom, particularly during the warm weather. He said Jared Oehlbeck designed it and worked with his crew to build it. “It’s a phenomenal job they did on it,” he added.

Sherman principal Bryna Booth told the board that the district is giving special attention to college and career readiness. She said Guidance Counselor Robert Minton will take eighth-grade students to Vo-tech, ninth-grade students to Jamestown Community College, 10th-grade students to a four-year college, and 11th-grade students to the Buffalo National College Fair.

“Bob has set up several webinars through distance learning. One was with a biochemist who is manipulating RNA,” Booth said. “Another was with George Curos, a leader in innovation and author of The Innovator’s Mindset.”

Board member Gary Delellis told the board, “Kids got to work with their hands. They’re not all going to be doctors and lawyers and school teachers. Why aren’t they going to places like Alfred and Detroit Diesel?”

“I agree. We need to show them all the possibilities that are out there,” said Booth. She told the board about two new courses that they are planning to offer at Sherman. We hope to offer an SAT prep course for a half semester, including working on such skills as completing scholarship applications, writing college entrance essays, honing interview skills, Booth said.

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