Nathan Kanis: Experiential Learning

This year, Nathan Kanis decided to explore his passion for cars in connection with his experiential learning project. Every week, he has had the chance to leave the school building and join a local mechanic to learn more about this field of work. Below you will find the conversation the Cougar's Tale had with Nathan about his time there:


What are you doing for your project?I just completed my project on how the automobile has changed over the past 50 years.


Who do you work with?
I did an internship at Rensfeldt's Automotive and I worked with a guy named Dave.


What is the most enjoyable thing about this project?I got to fix my car, but I really just loved being able to work with my hands


What things have you been learning?
I learned how to balance tires, replace wiring. Being a mechanic forces you to learn how things work together so really everyday is a learning experience because every car is different


What are some of your goals in the future?I just want to keep learning so that I don't have to pay a mechanic to do it. However if I would decide that I should become a mechanic it would be a great starting point


What is the most difficult thing about this project?
Probably just setting everything up. It took me 3 weeks to get the internship going


Why are you doing this project/what made you do this?
I have an intense passion for cars.I have just been brought up with cars. My dad is a mechanic and my grandpa owned a ford dealership for a time and then started selling heavy duty trucks. So it's in my blood.


- Angela Balboa

Pig Dissection: Human Anatomy and Physiology

On Thursday, the Human Anatomy and Physiology class went with Mr. VandeGlind to Bethel University to dissect baby pigs. Pigs are the animal of choice because they have a similar organ structure to humans, so the class went digging through their little piglet bodies to find all of the vital organs of the body from the intestines to the heart to the pancreas. Some were not so sure about the experience after seeing the then-intact pigs, but once the process was underway, the dissection went smoothly. This experience gave the Human Anatomy class another glimpse of just how intricately God has constructed the body.

- Nathan Bonnema