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

There’s something fishy going on here!

Calvin Christian students have done some interesting Independent Projects, ranging from technology, to hands on arts and crafts, to a business plan for airsoft, to a popular sport here in Minnesota. What sport you ask? Good old outdoor fishing. Three sophomores at CCHS put their heads together and came up with a project centered on fishing. Not the sport itself, but rather the impact it has on the Minnesotan culture, the economy, and the sport of fishing. Recently the fishing opener began, and people are grabbing their tackle boxes and poles to get out and enjoy the spring. Sophomores Matt Johnson, Ian Krueger, and Karl Ludwig are prepping their gear to venture forth and answer the questions they have for this project. But how did this project come about? Matt Johnson, presented the idea to Ian and Karl, and the idea stuck, or in fishing terms, they got hooked, pun intended. These three friends are getting outdoors and enjoying the weather, the sport, and finding out how it all ties into the Minnesotan culture and economy.  

Below is a video that is going to be part the group's presentation. It demonstrates how to fillet and skin a fish, so watch accordingly.

Things To Do This Summer!

Hey students, is your summer looking a little dull? Well here is a list of things in the Twin Cities that are affordable and look fun. For you art lovers there are plenty of festivals and fair to go to. Here's a couple: Art and All that Jazz in Burnsville, and Eagan Art Festival.  Would you like to eat for free? Back to the 50’s will include free food, and a car show in Falcon Heights. And there is also always the YMCA. Join for the family membership, and you can be swimming all summer long! There's tons of classes, gyms, even some camps. Just be sure to you get outside and do something. Have a great summer!

- Angela Balboa

Modern Injustice Projects

For the past month, students in 20th Century Literature and Art have been applying what they have learned in their Holocaust studies to modern injustice.  Students chose a modern injustice, researched about it, heard stories and watched documentaries, explored art and music, and learned about what can be done to prevent these injustices. Over and over again, awareness and education came up in what can be done today.  How can we make a difference?  Educate and be informed!  So, the students of this class chose to share their projects with CCHS Cougar's Tale in hopes of raising awareness to our readers.  May we never be silent and may we never be bystanders.

Sex Trafficking
South Sudan Genocide
Bosnian Genocide
Somalia
Blood Diamonds

Sophomores Attempt Wind Turbines!

This year in physical science, the sophomores are advancing their understanding of electronics and physics by building a wind turbine. The goal of the wind turbine project is to understand how we can use mechanics and electronics to produce energy. Each student is using a unique design that may have been based off of a previously existing turbine design, or it may be completely new and unique. Sophomore Matt Johnson commented: “(My turbine) is not based off of any other design, it is entirely unique. It is a horizontal box collection unit with rotating disks of fury.” After deciding on a design, students must design a detailed blueprint to use as a reference point while building the turbine. After this, students must find all the materials they need, before finally starting to actually build the turbine. Matt Johnson mentioned that this had been the hardest part, “Getting all the materials together and getting them to work properly without breaking.” Hopefully, the sophomores will soon have their wind turbines all up and running.

- Ian Krueger

CCHS Paper! Final Issue of the Year!

Please take the time to read through our final issue of the year.  Congratulations to the journalism team for a great year on print and on the blog!

Vol 6 Issue 11