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Barkell hosts Showcase of Excellence

Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette Barkell Elementary School’s third annual Showcase of Excellence was celebrated Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 and highlighted student science, art, and other projects completed by students throughout the school year.

HANCOCK — Barkell Elementary School conducted its third annual Showcase of Excellence Thursday, a celebration of science and art created by students grades one through five. The event was hosted by several organizations, and the Barkell PTO supplied pizza and refreshments for everyone who attended.

Principal Dan Vaara said he was extremely happy with the turnout.

“It seems like any time we have an event here for families, the support we get is incredible, and the turnout is outstanding.”

Vaara said the annual event is also very busy.

“All of the fifth grade kids do science fair projects,” he said, “then all of the K-4 classrooms do their own science fair project.”

Karen Scholie, the art teacher, leads students through various projects throughout the year, saving them to display during the event.

“It’s a science fair, it’s an art fair,” Vaara said, “but we also have all kinds of hands on social studies projects, and activities throughout the school — and writing, so it’s really a celebration of all the great things that our kids do.”

The event grows every year as Vaara and his staff continue to try to improve it.

“We try to expand upon what we do every year,” Vaara said. “Any time you run anything, you learn a couple things that you could do differently. We’re always looking to get better at not only this but everything that we do.”

Vaara said he also wanted to be sure that Joan Chadde of the Western UP Center for Science, Math and Environmental Education and the MTU Center for Science and Environmental Outreach received recognition and thanks for overseeing the several science projects available for students to enjoy.

Chadde was invited to attend the event, and she brought 10 volunteers to help her set up and conduct the experiments, Vaara said.

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