News

Energy From Plants: Living Lima Beans!

Everyone assumes that lima beans are just for eating, but Ms. Wulff’s 4th grade class knows better. Ziploc bags filled with a damp paper towels, and three lima beans curtain Ms. Wulff’s windows, as they wait for the sun to facilitate the growing process.

“We are doing the experiment to conclude Chapter 2 on Energy from Plants,” explained Wulff. “It focuses on one big idea from our chapter, seed germination. We are going to use the lima beans to see if we can get some seed sprouts to grow and then hopefully this week they can plant them and take them home and have their own Lima Bean plants!”

Who knew playing with vegetables could be so much fun?

Computer Science Class Dives Into App Creation

Today’s world is one that is filled with the latest and greatest of apps, so it would only make sense that PCA’s Computer Science class, led by teacher Robbie Kelly, learn a skill that is so popular in the workforce. 

“The students get to see how easy it can be to come up with an idea and turn it into an app as well as see how much planning has to be done to consider how someone will use an app and what will make them enjoy using it,” said Kelly. “It helps them develop deeper critical thinking skills by doing something completely new, but also by developing an intricate set of plans to create a noteworthy app that someone would want to use, then programming it to work as intended.”

Students gathered in small groups, and then picked a theme for their app. The topics ranged from a “quiz” style app that at the end will determine where you should go on vacation, to one that focused on general trivia. 

“This project is so much fun!” said Greta Anderson and Cokie Suddeth. “We get to use our imaginations and design a fun app!”

 Sophomore Titus Pettersen agreed. “It’s fun because along with creating the app we’re learning new things like debugging and avoiding problems on the computer while creating an app!”

Once they finish, their classmates will test out each of the apps. What a fun way to end the semester!