Four BMS Students Attend Governor's School for Math and Science
By Julie Perine on September 14, 2014 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
A handful of BMS eighth graders are likely setting the standard for this year’s math and science curriculum. Laiken Cook, Raeanne Beckner, Erica Cottrill and Brooke Driscoll were among students across the state who attended the 2014 Governor’s School for Math and Science.
The GSMS was held during two summer sessions. Cook, Beckner and Cottrill attended the first session, June 22-July 1. Driscoll attended July 2-11. Both were held at West Virginia University. Overall, more than 600 students applied, with 156 ultimately chosen; 96 upcoming seventh graders and 60 upcoming eighth graders.
“Only four (eighth grade) students were selected from Harrison County and all four students were from Bridgeport Middle School,” said Patti Cook, mother of Laiken Cook.
BMS Principal Carole Crawford said that speaks volumes.
“What it says is that the students are committed to exploring their future educational opportunities that they, along with their parents, are willing to spend extra time making application, traveling to the governor’s school and investing their time in the summer,” she said. “It also lets us know that we are doing a great job in preparing them and providing opportunities.”
Eighth graders attended the Governor’s School of Math and Science at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank during late-July and early-August. Seventh graders attended one of two sessions at WVU, working in research groups on projects coinciding with the theme, “Mythbusters” – the relationship between science and tales – which seem almost true – and are passed on as scientific facts. Using the “jigsaw” model of cooperative learning, students were given necessary background for those projects, then utilized biology, ecology, physics, chemistry, calculus and various other advanced forms of mathematics to draw conclusions. While on the WVU campus, students also listened to science lectures and visited the WVU Rec Center.
Beckie Alvaro, BMS eighth grade science teacher, says she sees the school's effects in the three girls she has as students this year.
“All of the girls are great students with very logical, scientific minds and I have no doubt that they gained a great deal by attending," she said. "Two of the girls told me that the biggest benefit they saw was being in a camp with kids just like them and being able to be comfortable with who they are."
Alvaro has another direct tie-in with GSMS.
“My son (Mark), who teaches at University High, taught at the governor’s school this summer and had some of our eighth grade students in class,” she said. "The students learn while having fun. I can't say enough good things about the Governor's School for Math and Science.”
Laiken Cook agrees that the camp was designed to make learning fun. She's very glad she was given the opportunity to attend.
“I met a lot of really nice, new people with the same interests as me. We all hope to meet up again in high school at the Governor’s Honors School,” she said.
Pictured top/cover is Laiken Cook. Pictured just above are Erica Cottrill, Laiken Cook and Raeanne Beckner during Governor’s School for Math and Science, first summer 2014 session.
