Articles of Interest

Pat and I have been hopping this week.  We have a camp (Shewey Science Academy) that has over 120 students in Mingo County this week.  Students can attend the academy at any of four sites (Gilbert, Lenore, Matewan or Williamson) to do inquiry based science and math. 

While we love seeing all of these students enjoying learning, it sure does wear a couple of old guys out!  We look forward to the beginning of the Shewey Science Academy each year but we also look forward to having it completed.  This is the fifth year that we have done it and we think it gets better each year.

Working with us are Wes Neal of Huntington High, Derek Fry, a recent chemistry education graduate and Keri Gregory a science education major at Marshall University.  This is a fantastic team that gets has done a great job for the students here.

In the evenings, I have been doing some reading to prepare for our trip in July.  I found a couple of things in the Elkins InterMountain Newspaper that may interest you:

West Virginia’s Largest Butternut Tree – also known as a white walnut

Historic Beverly Plans a Busy Summer – we will spend a day in Beverly, just south of Elkins

Don’t forget to register and attend the blog sessions that Brian McNeel is doing.  I am confident that Brian can help you improve the content and appearance of your blog.

Summer itinerary updated

Plans for the summer trip around the state to locations of importance to the timber industry continue to take shape.  You can access the updated draft itinerary HERE.

Please note that on July 16-17 (Monday-Tuesday) you must wear long pants and closed toe (not sandals) shoes for safety reasons.  You will be provided with safety glasses and hearing protection for your tours.

Also, please note that some time has been built into the schedule for walking tours of areas with local trees and with structures of historical importance.  You may especially want to check the walking tour of historic Beverly, WV.

Don’t forget that there are specific blogging requirements prior to the summer trip.  If you need assistance with blogging, two sessions have been scheduled before the trip.  If you are available on June 14 and/or 21, please contact Karen at the central office to register.

Keep watching the blog for updates to the trip itinerary.

Extra helping of blogs

As you are aware, there are some requirements for your blogs prior to summer culminating trip to places of importance to the timber industry in the state.  Although we have addressed some of the basics of blogging with you, we realize that you may have forgotten some things about blogging or feel that you need some extra help.  After all, blogging is not something that many of us do every day.

To help you get on top of the blogging requirement for this project as well as to enhance your blogging skills, we have asked Brian McNeel to conduct a couple of sessions where you can catch up on your blog, sharpen your blogging skills and learn some new tricks and tips.  Brian has a lot of technology savvy and can help you make blogs that are attractive, informative, educational and professional.

Brian will be in a computer lab at the Cabell County Board of Education Central Office from 12:30 – 2:30 on June 14 and 21 (Thursdays) to assist you.  You may attend either or both sessions.

If you are interested in attending one or both days of Brian’s blog session, please call Karen McClanahan at 304-528-5011 to register.  If you register and attend, I can provide you with a $50 stipend for attendance at each session that you attend.

Please take advantage of this opportunity to improve your blogs through Brian’s workshop.  The skills that you learn will not only improve your timber and rail blogs for your students but will give you the knowledge to make better blogs for other educational projects.