Since April, Leader readers have enthusiastically taken part in the paper’s “Leader Art Challenge.”
The project has been so successful it will be extended through the summer, with a few changes – the biggest of which is the addition of science projects.
For the Art Challenge, which ended May 22, local art teachers, students and community artists created and posted daily videos with projects for aspiring artists of all ages, using materials commonly found at home. Many readers tried the project themselves, and sent in photos or videos of their results. Each week, a name was drawn from among all entries to receive a $20 gift certificate to a local business.
“It was something new, so we didn’t know what to expect,” Leader assistant publisher Peggy Scott said. “But the response has been pretty amazing.
“In addition, we’ve gotten so many responses, thanking us for the ideas to help (parents) engage their kids, with projects that kind of break up their day.
“We also had people in the community who are involved in science say, ‘Why don’t you add science to this, too?’ and we thought that was a terrific idea,” Scott said.
Kickoff is this week
The Leader Art and Science Challenge kicks off this week, with the first project video scheduled to be posted Friday.
The Twin City Optimist Club sponsored the Art Challenge and will continue its sponsorship for the new Art and Science Challenge.
Videos will be posted every week, with either an art or science challenge, and those who view the videos are encouraged to try them out for themselves and let us know how they turn out.
Send a photo or video of your finished project, your experiment’s results or email a description of what you did and what you learned.
“The summer schedule will be a little more relaxed,” Scott said. “It won’t be as frequent as it was during school, but we hope it will keep people engaged with art and science while they’re still largely at home.”
Tracy LaRose, 44, who teaches science at Antonia Middle School, will share some of the 43 project videos she has compiled since March, when school buildings were closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic and she began teaching students remotely.
“When we were first out of school, and everybody thought it was only going to be for three weeks, I kept seeing some of my parent friends on social media who were worried about how they would do it (homeschooling kids). I posted and asked, ‘Would you like me to do a science experiment of the day?’ and they all said ‘Oh, yes! Of course!’
“I did it every day – and then we ended up not going back. I did simple experiments, using things you either might already have or could easily pick up at someplace like Walmart.”
Some of her experiments involve food, like the candy challenge (how quickly it melts in water) to the Mentos-in-a-soda trick to what she calls “fireworks in a jar” – made with food coloring, water and vegetable oil.
“All were either things I’ve done in my 20 years of teaching, or things I have come across and wanted to do,” she said. “Some are a little more advanced and worked for older students.”
Helen Maschmeyer, 26, a science teacher at Festus Middle School, also will contribute to the project. She said projects like this are just another way teachers are adapting to the pandemic-affected world.
“We just don’t have the face-to-face interaction with our students we’re used to,” she said. “It is important that we reach them through the computer, because that may be our only form of communication with them for a while.
“They have to be more self-directed. So, if we can spark a little of their own curiosity, it’s great.”
Maschmeyer said projects like this one challenge teachers and students alike to take things up a notch.
“Now that we have these videos, we have the time to put effort into these, take them to the next level,” she said.
LaRose said nurturing the spark of creativity and curiosity among students is ample reward for her efforts.
“It’s all about getting their natural curiosity going, whether it’s in school or out,” she said. “Concepts are good to learn, but I love getting them to explore and be curious and think like a scientist. ‘What if I do this or that? What will happen if I change something or add something else?’
“That look in their eye when they find something out and want to learn more, want to try it different ways – there’s nothing like that.”
The contest is open to everyone in Jefferson County and Eureka. Each week, one name will be drawn from among that week’s entries to receive a $20 gift card for a local business, such as restaurants, shops, services, etc.
■ Where to find the Leader Art and Science Challenge video: On the paper’s website at myleaderpaper.com.
■ Where to send your entry: Email to news@leaderpublications.biz , with the subject line, “Leader Art and Science Challenge.”
■ How to make sure you’re eligible for the prize drawing: Be sure to include your name and your town of residence with each email entry.
■ How to get more information: Call the Leader at 636-931-7560.