College Place instructors Michael Anderson and Darin Durand devised units of teaching around three themes for the GEAR UP summer school in College Place.  Dubbed the ‘Sager Summer Academy’, instruction focused on topics which apply math, science or technology in the workplace.  The two teachers worked in a little ‘dirty job’ exploration as well.

The CAD unit began with an introduction to Pro Engineer, and instruction on use of this software for engineering design.  Students learn the software basics, then design and build their own car.  After a paint job, the car is fitted with a CO2 cylinder and raced in competition with other students.  Fortunately for these students, Walla Walla University utilizes the same software in their engineering department.  The class was able to walk to the campus and hear from Prof. Don Riley about his applications of engineering software.  Students also had time to manipulate the school’s robotic arm.  Two days later, the class visited Nelson Irrigation in Walla Walla for a different look at how CAD is applied in local industry.  They were most impressed with the ‘big guns’, which can send a stream of water the length of a football field.

After researching a potential career, and perfecting a presentation, twelve Sager Middle School students stepped up to compete against each other in the second Sager Career Presentation and Competition, held on April 29.  All Sager 8th graders had participated in the research process during the month of March, using the Washington Occupation Information Service.  After gathering appropriate information, they organized a PowerPoint presentation, which was later presented to their social studies class. 

In April, motivated and career-minded, the twelve volunteer participants spent several hours out of their language arts class to improve their speaking skills and computer presentations.  The competition took place on the afternoon of April 29, beginning with a special pizza lunch.  Then, with a few parents and all 6th grade students present, each student described their career choice, adding factual and attractive information to make their presentations interesting and enjoyable.  All students were rewarded with enthusiastic applause and certificates, and the judges were able to quickly total points and determine the top three speakers. 

Emma Johnston, Courtney Griggs, and Andrew Zahl were Sager’s best presenters.  Since Andrew had the highest number of points, he moved on to the GEAR UP 8th Grade Career Showcase at WSU Tri-Cities on May 21.  There, after a great meal with his parents and other competitors, he gave a terrific speech, earning a third place.

Marissa Neff stands amongst a classroom of seventh graders and asks, “What is your definition of success?”  Later she asks students to name some people that they consider to be successful.  Ms. Neff is a school counselor, and this is part of a lead-in discussion in a career education unit for seventh graders at College Place’s Sager Middle School.

What teachers and tutors at College Place’s Sager Middle School like to see in students is change; an improvement in grades and behavior that demonstrates a student’s desire to succeed. 

One such student who has improved in both grades and behavior is Elijah Castillo.  In appearances Elijah isn’t much different: he still has shaggy brown hair that falls into his eyes and the same mischievous smile that spreads slowly across his face when he’s joking.  Yet there is a big difference with the Elijah of last year and the Elijah of this year.  When Elijah was in seventh grade his teachers commented on his “lack of motivation.”  Elijah was easily distracted, they said, and wouldn’t focus or turn in his assignments.  As a result he received D’s and F’s in most of his classes and attended lunch tutorial at least five times.