Bloomington High School South, The Gothic, 2000, Page 41

Description:	AdvancedPlacementClassesby Tiffany SchopmeyerWhen a student signed up to takean Advanced Placement (AP) class, thatstudent knew that they were in for achallenge. These classes gave studentsthe opportunity to learn at a college Lizz Hersheylevel and a chance to test out of college classes. Many students were taking AP classes such asEuropean history, biology, literature and composition and calculus.The wide variety of classes available for the AP program made it a success and bettersituated for students. Its an absolutely wonderful program, and South has done well atmaking a variety of classes available, senior Jennifer Axsom said.Taking an AP class also meant the possibilities of gaining a more personal relationshipwith a teacher. The teachers that teach AP classes do a really good job.They make a point toknow you and make class a lot more personal, senior Craig Jacobs said.When it came to AP classes, a large amount of effort on the students behalf was needed.They are harder, but you get out of it what you put into it, junior Zach Patton said.Students werent the only ones who like to push themselves academically. Teachers alsoliked the extra challenge of teaching AP classes. I was a math major, and calculus is closest towhat I took in college.When the previous calculus teacher retired, I was very interested and5* ....... thought teaching calculus was a goodidea. Its the most exciting math, Mr.Greg Mongold said.The success of the AP programwas shown through studentscontinuing interest. The possibility ofgetting a head start for collegeappealed to many students. Studentsalso found the dynamics of an APclassroom to be inviting. I like beingin classes where Im not the only onewhos worried about getting thework done. In AP classes everyone isdedicated, you have to be, seniorMeaghan Clark saidMOftLizz HersheySeniors Britney Combs and Vanessa Higgins go overhomework from their AP calculus 1-2 class. Theproblems they were assigned were often difficult andlengthy.Im not in Kansas anymoreStudents discuss differences between the learning environmentof IU and high school classes...* One difference is that theprofessor isnt as approachableas a high school teacher is. Itsalso less challenging thanmost of the classes at highschool because the professorssee that many students justwant a grade and in highschool they seem to coverthings more in-depth.—senior Leanne Dodge* You have less time in classto mess around. And a lot morework outside of class.—senior Andy Hart9 Its faster. Same materialonly a lot faster. If I didnthave high school classes, itwould be easier.—sophomore Ian Enochs* I think the expectationsare different. You are not toldexactly what to do. You can gethelp if you need it, but theassignments arent as specific.For example, weve beenwriting a paper on Plato, andwe all would have liked to havemore direction.—junior Emily MoranQuotes collected by Heather EmersonbackpackWhile senior Nathan Wrigley concentrates on a problemfrom his textbook, Mr. Greg Mongold, math, tries tohelp out. Wrigleys AP Calculus 1-2 class was studyingderivatives.Teachers, , ,a closer look...Photo Courtesy of Mrs. Cindy KvaleAfter winning the World Solar Bike Rayce, teacherMrs. Cindy Kvale stands atop Mount Fuji in JapanMrs. Kvale was the sponsor of the Solar Bike Teams::Block & Traditional::PhysicsMrs. Cindy Kvale, physics, spent a lot of timepreparing and organizing the world championsolar bike team. Being a physics teacher, she ismainly responsible for the science behind thebikes.\g I How did you get involved with solar biketeams?A: I heard about the contest through a fellowteacher. We were just kind of tradinginformation about projects that we do and hehad done this. So I got the rules for it and readthrough them, and it sounded pretty cool. Iremembered having one student the year beforewho I knew was a bike rider. So I asked him ifhe would be interested, and when he said yesI started looking for more people to ride andmore people to build and [I] found enoughpeople interested, so we did it.y. What part do you play in making the team whothey are?A: I organize the group. I keep the mechanicson track; help them find what they need andhelp them make their decisions. For the riders, Ido very little for them except help them get intouch with the coaches. Mostly, I do theorganization/administration type work. I workmore with the mechanics and the sciencebehind the bikes.by Heather Emerson I41
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomsouth/id/6553
Collection:	Bloomington High School South

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