![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/southern_columbia_area_school_district_ar/profile/avatar/145642/circled_ce220af4-0e52-4952-81da-b69bbc0f563f.png)
Students in Mr. Kelchner's 8th grade Science classes recently built and launched model rockets as part of their study of the history and technology of human space flight. After assembling their rockets, they spray painted them, and then had a day of rocket launches where their goal was a successful flight, parachute deployment, and recovery. It was a great way to wrap up the year by having a blast!
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/southern_columbia_area_school_district_ar/profile/avatar/140265/circled_5a95e6c4-60dc-429b-afe9-d13ef024371e.png)
Mr. Kelchner launching rockets in his 8th Grade Earth and Space science class.
![Mr. Kelchner instructing](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2593337/large_1653413909000.jpeg)
![launch time](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2593340/large_1653413909000.jpeg)
![Class](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2593336/large_1653413909000.jpeg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/southern_columbia_area_school_district_ar/profile/avatar/145642/circled_ce220af4-0e52-4952-81da-b69bbc0f563f.png)
The following students were chosen by sixth grade staff at Southern Columbia Middle School as May SoCo Stars of the Month. These students were chosen because they have displayed self-control, tolerance, academic integrity, and resilience within the school setting. Congratulations to each student and their families!
Alexis Richardson-Powlus,Samantha Cronin Lila Shirk, Levi Bartilomo
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2579823/large_IMG_0145.jpg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/southern_columbia_area_school_district_ar/profile/avatar/145642/circled_ce220af4-0e52-4952-81da-b69bbc0f563f.png)
This week, students in all three schools received their yearbooks. These yearbooks will help them remember all the fun and exciting memories they've made this year.
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2572253/large_thumbnail_Image__28_.jpg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/southern_columbia_area_school_district_ar/profile/avatar/145642/circled_ce220af4-0e52-4952-81da-b69bbc0f563f.png)
6th graders recently took a Hunter Safety course and test to become officially hunting and trapping certified.
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2561801/large_thumbnail_image0__1_.jpg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/southern_columbia_area_school_district_ar/profile/avatar/145642/circled_ce220af4-0e52-4952-81da-b69bbc0f563f.png)
We were provided with some summer offerings that you may be interested in for your children from the Columbia County Traveling Library. There is additional information attached to provide you with an overview.
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2551989/large_Summer_Learning_Flyer__18___24_in___1_-0.jpg)
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2551991/large_Summer_Learning_Flyer__18___24_in___1_-1.jpg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/southern_columbia_area_school_district_ar/profile/avatar/145642/circled_ce220af4-0e52-4952-81da-b69bbc0f563f.png)
We were provided with some summer offerings that you may be interested in for your children from the Columbia County Traveling Library. There is additional information attached to provide you with an overview.
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2551970/large_Summer_Kick_Off_Flyer__11___8.5_in_-0.jpg)
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2551971/large_Summer_Kick_Off_Flyer__11___8.5_in_-1.jpg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/southern_columbia_area_school_district_ar/profile/avatar/145642/circled_ce220af4-0e52-4952-81da-b69bbc0f563f.png)
On Saturday, the Girls Soccer Program hosted the 7th annual Frank Fullmer Memorial Tournament. This tournament honors former coach Frank Fullmer and his contributions to the soccer program. This year our Junior High Girls Soccer Team placed 2nd.
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2548222/large_thumbnail_Image__26_.jpg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/southern_columbia_area_school_district_ar/profile/avatar/145642/circled_ce220af4-0e52-4952-81da-b69bbc0f563f.png)
Congratulations to the SCA Middle School Envirothon team of Elijah Bourgault, Vivien Miller, Johnny Barnette, Will Victory, and Memphis Ashton for their 1st place finish in the wildlife portion of the 2022 Susquehanna Valley Middle School Envirothon competition! The team also finished 4th in overall scoring. The competition included 31 teams from across 5 counties in the Susquehanna Valley.
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2539265/large_IMG-6087.jpg)
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2539269/large_IMG-6103.jpg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/southern_columbia_area_school_district_ar/profile/avatar/140265/circled_5a95e6c4-60dc-429b-afe9-d13ef024371e.png)
Mr. Roth and Mr. Williams helping with 1st grade nature day.
![8th grade student Michaela Williams helping with 1st grade nature day.](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2528044/large_1652289592000.jpeg)
![Mr. Williams and his son Michael enjoying nature day.](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2528046/large_1652289592000.jpeg)
![Mr. Roth talking Turkey...](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2528043/large_1652289592000.jpeg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/southern_columbia_area_school_district_ar/profile/avatar/145642/circled_ce220af4-0e52-4952-81da-b69bbc0f563f.png)
On Tuesday, Middle School Envirothon students took part in the Susquehanna Valley Envirothon Competition at the Montour Preserve. Students were tested on their knowledge in 5 environmental science categories: wildlife, aquatics, forestry, soils, and a discovery station where they learned about the history of the bald eagle and got to view a nesting pair above Lake Chillisquaque. Each station included demonstrations from professionals in each field, who also served as judges.
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2527246/large_IMG-6074.jpg)
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2527247/large_IMG-6071.jpg)
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2527249/large_IMG-6095.jpg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/southern_columbia_area_school_district_ar/profile/avatar/145642/circled_ce220af4-0e52-4952-81da-b69bbc0f563f.png)
7th graders recently cleaned up the nature trail in preparation for 1st grade's Nature Day, which was held on Wednesday May 11.
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2527109/large_thumbnail_Image__17_.jpg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/southern_columbia_area_school_district_ar/profile/avatar/145642/circled_ce220af4-0e52-4952-81da-b69bbc0f563f.png)
Congratulations to Middle School Band for their fantastic performance!
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2504220/large_thumbnail_IMG_0087.jpg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/southern_columbia_area_school_district_ar/profile/avatar/145642/circled_ce220af4-0e52-4952-81da-b69bbc0f563f.png)
The following students were chosen by the sixth-grade staff at Southern Columbia Middle School as March's SoCo Stars of the Month. These students were chosen because they have displayed self-control, tolerance, academic integrity, and resilience within the school setting. Congratulations to each student and their families!
April 2022: Lily Thomas, Isabella Hoffman, Dallas Swartzlander, Nyah Johnson
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2503665/large_sotm.jpeg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/southern_columbia_area_school_district_ar/profile/avatar/145642/circled_ce220af4-0e52-4952-81da-b69bbc0f563f.png)
Fifth grade science students in Mrs. Lupold's classes calculated their Carbon Footprints during Earth Week. Students then identified actions they could take now and, in the future, to help reduce their carbon footprints. Each student also received a Silky Dogwood tree to plant at home.
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2488801/large_IMG-8787.jpg)
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2488803/large_IMG-8786.jpg)
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2488805/large_IMG-8792.jpg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/southern_columbia_area_school_district_ar/profile/avatar/145642/circled_ce220af4-0e52-4952-81da-b69bbc0f563f.png)
Lola Cecco (L) and Sadie Boucher (R) are constructing robots made out of Legos in Mr. Williams' 8th Grade STEM class. After students complete the building phase, they will then write code to control their robot in a number of different environments and situations. Students are using problem-solving skills learned during class to refine how their robots interact with their local environment.
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2483351/large_thumbnail_IMG_9553.jpg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/southern_columbia_area_school_district_ar/profile/avatar/145642/circled_ce220af4-0e52-4952-81da-b69bbc0f563f.png)
On Earth Day, 7th grade science and geography students took part in a campus cleanup. Students learned about the devastating effects of pollution and their civic duty to take action!
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2457403/large_IMG-6005.jpg)
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2457404/large_IMG-6011.jpg)
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2457407/large_IMG-6007.jpg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/southern_columbia_area_school_district_ar/profile/avatar/145642/circled_ce220af4-0e52-4952-81da-b69bbc0f563f.png)
On April 21 and 22, after a nearly eight-week learning process, 8th graders in Mr. Kelchner’s science classes presented their sustainable building design projects to a panel of engineers. The winning group was selected by a guest engineer who played the role of the building owner, and it included Joanna Chen, Braylon Feese, Jackson Shaeffer, and Michaela Williams. These students presented their design with knowledge and professionalism. Their building had a unique cantilevered design that required careful calculations of overall square footage. They included a vast array of thoughtfully chosen energy-saving features and state-of-the-art amenities, while still managing to come in just under their allotted budget of $20 million. Their “design firm” was able to win the contract by efficiently and enthusiastically demonstrating how their systems reduced the operating cost through lowered electricity and water bills, using their calculated reductions to justify their design choices. In addition to planning a striking and environmentally friendly building, the group even specified the use of sustainable materials for the interior finishes, helping them to clinch the victory. Among other prizes, they will have their names engraved on the classroom trophy that features all past winners of the competition.
A big thank you to the guest judges who generously gave of their time to be with us for two days. These included Eric Fedder, 2005 SCA valedictorian, architectural engineer, and senior project manager for Project Management Advisors Inc. of San Diego, California; John Kelchner, electrical engineer and President & CEO of Citizen’s Electric Power Company in Lewisburg, PA; and Noah Blusius, SCA alumnus, architectural engineer, and current engineering graduate student at Penn State University.
Congratulations to all 8th grade students for your outstanding effort and successful collaboration on a very challenging real-world project!
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2446555/large_WINNERS.jpg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/southern_columbia_area_school_district_ar/profile/avatar/145642/circled_ce220af4-0e52-4952-81da-b69bbc0f563f.png)
Last Friday, April 22, 7th grade ELA celebrated Earth Day through outdoor poetry activities. Students started with a POE-to op using wings created while reading Edgar Allen Poe's poem, "The Raven." Students then participated in a poetry walk where they wrote some of their own poems with sidewalk chalk on the sidewalks by the middle school and read work from their peers. Finally, they observed nature down at the nature trail and turned their observations into a poem to finish their book of poems
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/southern_columbia_area_school_district_ar/profile/avatar/145642/circled_ce220af4-0e52-4952-81da-b69bbc0f563f.png)
On Monday, 6th grade held an assembly in the old gym. The theme was "Go for the Gold." The purpose was to motivate students for PSSA's that start on Tuesday.
![a](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2441021/large_MicrosoftTeams-image__59_.png)