Located in Van, WV,
Van Junior/Senior High School is home of the Van Bulldogs and, of course, one of our Explore and Soar 21st Century Community Learning Center sites. Under the leadership of Site Coordinator Anthony Jones, students at Van have participated in a variety of fun activities with their mentors.
During our late fall mentor session, students worked with West Virginia artist Staci Leech-Cornell exploring the world of visual art and book making. Under Staci’s direction, students created popup books and cut paper silhouettes. The group also wrote children’s stories and illustrated their creations. The first mentor session ended with an ice cream social for parents, students and staff.
Our first mentor session of 2012 found students exploring rocketry with NASA trained Clay Center staffer William Rouse. Students began reading the Homer Hickam biography “Rocket Boys” and worked with the design and fabrication of a variety of rockets. Through a series of experiments, trial and error and lots of teamwork, all teams achieved successful launches!
Van students took on the challenge given to them by artist mentors Katy Hawkins and Michael Parsley to create a school mural. The mural was conceived, designed and painted by the students as they worked together on a project that not only provided a great team-building experience, but was also a terrific way to beautify their school cafeteria.
Click here to learn more about Van Junior/Senior High School.