An eighth grade student presents his independent study on Einstein’s Theory of Relativity.
Eight grade students at Walnut Springs Middle School have been exploring STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) through independent studies, which allow them to choose a topic they want to learn more about. Their research has included conducting interviews from experts in the field; determining the best way to represent the topics with a product of their choosing (skit, website, demonstration, etc.); and presenting their findings to fellow classmates.
Chosen topics have included robotics and animatronics, sea slugs, the geology of Yellowstone National Park, accuracy in medical treatments, radiology, schizophrenia, nebulas, dark matter, and Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. Eighth grade science teacher John McCoy, along with OSU student teacher Taylor Menczyaor, have orchestrated the experience with support from the Westerville City Schools Gifted Education Department.