Youth Educational Support School

Mission STEM/CAP

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Thanks to Kath, YESS Science Teacher, for this submission

A weeks long partnership with the STEM/CAP ambassadors from the University of Utah, Granite Schools District, and the Juvenile Justice Community culminated with the presentation of podcasts researched, written, compiled, and recorded by students in a JJS youth center.  The University branded the new project “Mission StemCap.”

The notion is that students from underserved populations could come to have an understanding and deep impact on a big picture problem, such as the sixth mass extinction, currently taking place on our planet.  The students were deeply empowered by the role they played in addressing this grand challenge. 

The challenge included a research project that delved into the phenomenon of Mass Extinction and the parties driving those processes forward.  The students viewed relevant video presentations, interviewed extinction scientists, and created podcasts in conjunction with public radio professionals, working in concert with the University Stem/Cap program. 

Posters produced by students on an extinct animal

Fundamental to the outcomes were the persons involved in each step of this complicated and enriching process. Dr. Nalini Nadkarni, Department Chair of the Biology Department at the University of Utah, along with Stem/Cap ambassadors, AmeriCorps, VISTA supervisors, and Youth Conservation Corps principals, all cooperated in bringing the latest and most relevant research to the problems and solutions for the grand challenges associated with extinction.

One of the JJS youth centers was chosen to pilot this process because of a longstanding relationship with the biology department in YESS and the STEM/CAP scientists at the University of Utah.  Without the benefit of this relationship and the gracious efforts of Dr. Nadkarni, none of this would have been possible.

We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the University and are hopeful that future programs will continue to enrich the lives of students in our schools.

Kathy Nelson, Science teacher extraordinaire, has been facilitating this partnership with her students since STEMCAP began working with the state and YESS.

A New TILT on PD

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For a recent professional development training, YESS teachers selected from three options that were offered based on their responses to survey. Sandy, teacher at YESS’s Transition Classroom at Connection High and TILT member, facilitated a session on creating one’s own Nearpod (an online resource with a vast database of lessons correlated to core standards). Brenda, teacher and Site Facilitator at Decker Lake Youth Center and TILT member, facilitated a session on editing a current Nearpod lesson. The third session, using google Slides to create a Nearpod, was taught by Michael Hakkarinen, a Professional Development Instructor from UEN (Utah Education Network). The three groups were small allowing for time to delve deeper into Nearpod and explore more of the possibilities for implementation in their classrooms to enhance learning for our YESS students.

Student Self-Care Fair for Parents and Guardians

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Granite School District recognizes the importance of equipping parents and guardians with skills to meet the unique challenges of their children. Each year Granite provides an opportunity for parents to attend a district sponsored event to provide them with a variety of available resources. This year, it will be held at Taylorsville High School from 5:00-7:00 P.M. on Monday, November 18, 2019. Whether you are a parent or someone who works closely with Youth in Care students, please consider attending and taking advantage of this valuable opportunity.

Exploring Extinction through STEMCAP

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Students at Gemstone and Day Skills Intervention at the Salt Lake Valley Youth Center are participating in a 10 day science program hosted through the University of Utah, STEMCAP (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Community Alliance Program). They will be exploring the topic of extinction and will create a podcast as the vehicle for sharing the information they gathered and learned regarding extinction.

The first few days consisted of identifying key elements of a quality podcast through listening to various types of public information podcasts.
More to come!

Halloween Week at the Detention Center

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Halloween was celebrated through curriculum in numerous different ways throughout YESS. Here are some samples of what went on at DT this week.

Cindy, Health Teacher, focused on healthy eating during this week of candy
In Cindy’s class they toasted whole wheat bread
Social Studies Teacher Dave M got into the Halloween spirit!
“May the force be with you” in learning!
Math and Science Teacher Dave N incorporates technology in his math and science lessons.
Sean, Reading Teacher and Reading Tutoring Coordinator, and Finn, Reading Tutor
Students in Tom’s Digital Media classes learn to use Adobe Illustrator with a Day of the Dead image and tutorial
Students also learn to use Adobe Photoshop
Emily, English Teacher, incorporates multiple media in her lessons

Cyanography at UNI GTC

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Scientists from the University of Utah STEMCAP program came and talked about cyanography. We mixed chemicals and painted the paper in the dark and let them dry then placed different items on the paper and exposed to sunlight to turn the paper blue. Wherever the leaves, stencils, or items were placed stayed white when exposed to the sunlight. The girls experienced the wonders of science firsthand.

Halloween at “The Box”

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The students in Mrs. Hall’s class at the Christmas Box House (The Box) celebrated Halloween in true form with awesome costumes! Even Mrs. Hall donned a beautiful butterfly costume for the occasion. They visited Mrs. Horgan’s class in costume and did a Nearpod lesson learning about the Day of the Dead.

Halloween Folktale Tradition

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Each year at Halloween we read the classic Ozark folktale, “The Bloody Gruel,” which has its roots in Scotland and Ireland.  Over the years it made its way to the states and it’s pretty creepy.  It’s full of cultural and ethical morals that the main character, a teen girl, deftly navigates.

This is a tradition Sean, Reading Teacher, Salt Lake Valley Youth Center, does with his students each year.

Group Art Project

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Students did a group contribution art project for a study of Dia des los Muertos in Social Studies.  Looking at the original we divided it into 6 equal parts – students needed to add at least two colors in addition to black.  
Daria, Teacher, YESS Transition at Connection High

Group Contribution Art Project