Starkville’s Intersession: A Journey of Career Exploration for Young Minds
In a lively classroom, a third-grader eagerly tapped away on her iPad, programming a little blue robot that awaited its next move on the floor. With a mixture of excitement and frustration, she remarked, “It’s my first time doing this. It’s very difficult to try to program it. If you don’t program it to do something, it’s not going to do it.” After a few trial and error moments, she beamed as the robot finally obeyed her commands, backing up, spinning around, and letting out an enthusiastic sound. “I like when I figure out something that I can’t do,” she added proudly, showcasing a resilience that many adults would admire.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
This coding and robotics adventure is part of Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District’s fall intersession, a unique initiative providing two learning periods each year for students to engage in activities beyond their regular school curriculum. These intersession programs allow young learners to dive deep into enrichment camps, exploring exciting new areas, or participate in accelerated learning aimed at sharpening their reading and math skills.
During this intersession, parents could choose from a fascinating array of enrichment camps covering everything from dirt and dinosaurs to ocean exploration and advanced composite engineering. Each day, students delved into a new lesson and followed it up with hands-on activities or field trips, designed to solidify their learning experience.
Career Exploration at a Young Age
The goal of these programs is to create a clear path for students, helping them make informed decisions about their high school careers and potential future jobs. Increased exposure prepares kids for what lies ahead.
Teachers Having Fun Too!
The intersession program also offers a refreshing opportunity for teachers to explore subjects they’re passionate about, enhancing their creativity. Teachers develop their ideas into fun learning experiences, deepening student engagement.
For example, a fourth-grade teacher found her inspiration to lead a beginner coding and robotics camp after attending a computer science workshop. An overwhelming response to sign-ups underscored the excitement surrounding these innovative learning opportunities.
Focused Learning for Those in Need
Aside from the enrichment camps, the intersession also accommodates students needing extra help in core subjects like math and reading. Graduate psychology students from Mississippi State University provide individualized instruction. Teachers identify students who would benefit from this additional support, inviting them to participate in the program.
Smaller class sizes—limited to just 10 to 15 students—allow for much more personalized instruction. This setup provides focused attention that kids might not always receive during the regular school year.
A Bright Future Awaits
As Starkville continues to pave the way for innovative learning through its fall intersession, the experiences offered are setting students up for success. Whether through building robots, diving into archaeology, or receiving specialized support in core subjects, students are not just learning; they are exploring a world of possibilities. It’s an inspiring journey that blends fun with educational depth, preparing young minds for the bright futures that lie ahead.
