Congratulations to Annie Hornsby, a science teacher at Macon Middle School, who was recently selected for a 5-month fellowship with The Climate Initiative (www.theclimateinitiative.org). TCI is a nationwide organization that empowers educators and young climate leaders to build more climate-resilient communities. Through its non-partisan education and empowerment initiatives, TCI seeks to ignite a spark of hope and action, enabling youth to tackle local climate challenges and champion solutions in their communities and beyond.
As an Education Fellow, Ms. Hornsby’s responsibilities will include acting as a direct line of support for educators in the TCI network, assisting with the development and dissemination of resources, working to enhance TCI programming, and contributing to the creation and improvement of educational materials.
Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth - a family-friendly festival of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement. Part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new, Maker Faire is an all-ages gathering of tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, authors, artists, and students. All of these “makers” come to Maker Faire to show what they have made and to share what they have learned. Maker Faires happen all over the world but the Asheville Maker Faire is the only one in the Carolinas.
When: Saturday April 5, 2025
Where: AB Tech in downtown Asheville
Time: 10am - 3pm
Cost: FREE
Website: https://asheville.makerfaire.com/
This award can be used for our Macon Summer Edventure Camps as well as other camps your child may be interested in attending. You must be a FAT Cat or Zard member with the
State Employees' Credit Union.
Summer Camp Awards Are Back!
Entry Deadline: Feb 28
FAT CAT® and Zard® members1 can enter for a chance to win $500 toward summer camp registration fees.
Here’s how:
Complete this application form. Submissions are limited to one per child.
Have your child share their dream summer camp experience by submitting an original drawing or an essay, 250 words or less.
Applications with a drawing or essay must be submitted by February 28, 2025. Entrants must be enrolled2 in a summer camp or enrichment program for Summer 2025.
Click here to view the Official Contest Rules.
Apply now
1Child must have an active SECU FAT CAT or Zard account. Children of officers, directors, employees, representatives, volunteers, and agents of SECU are not eligible.
2Proof of camp enrollment required.
Summer Edventure Camp 2025 Applications NOW OPEN! Please pick up applications from the front office at the following schools: Iotla Valley Elementary, Cartoogechaye Elementary, South Macon Elementary, East Franklin Elementary, or Mountain View Intermediate. Camp is open to Macon County students from Kindergarten through age 13. There is a $60.00 deposit due to secure your spot. Space is limited, so register early. If you have questions, please call Jennifer Love at 828-524-3314.
Last week, our MMS STEM students experienced the joy of seeing their hard work come to life as we harvested one of our hydroponic grow towers to create fresh, delicious salads for lunch!
It’s was rewarding to watch our students learn about sustainable agriculture, teamwork, and healthy eating while contributing to our school community. The pride on their faces as they served the “fruits of their labor" was priceless.
These grow towers were purchased with a grant through the NC Go Outdoors Program through the NC Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission.
A huge THANK YOU to the Rotary Club of Franklin Daybreak for their incredibly generous gift of $4,000 to the MMS STEM program!
Project-based learning and fostering teamwork through hands-on activities can be costly, but their support helps make it all possible. We are so grateful for their partnership in building brighter futures for our students.
We need your help tomorrow at MVI!
We have added a new Edventure Club to two of our schools. Mountain View Intermediate and Cartoogechaye Elementary will now have STEM lessons using the National Inventor Hall of Fame curriculum. Mr. Navarro is leading the students in SOS Endangered where students will engineer bear-proof trashcans, find solutions for bats looking for a place to roost, and how we can clean up our water!
Our Edventure Clubs will be rotating throughout the schools this year so all students will have an opportunity to participate in a variety of activities. For more information about these programs, please go to https://www.macon.k12.nc.us/page/mep-mission-statement
The Macon Edventure Program has been busy these past couple of weeks creating works of art! We are enjoying our art classes, which are taught by local artists and supported through the Arts Council of Macon County's ARTReach Program. We thank them for their support!
Thank you to the North Carolina GO Grant for supporting outdoor education at Macon Middle! Part of the $15,000 grant we received was used to purchase grow towers, which are helping students learn about hydroponic agriculture and its benefits. The Pathways, Self-Contained, and Food and Nutrition departments are growing vegetables and herbs, while STEM students are monitoring and researching the towers. It's been a fantastic collaborative experience!
The best part? These towers can be moved outdoors when the weather is good and brought indoors as needed.
Thank you, Franklin Walmart, for your generous donation of a 50-inch TV to the STEM program at Macon Middle School for a raffle. Project-based learning can indeed be expensive, but the rewards far outweigh the cost. Your support plays a crucial role in helping us provide engaging, hands-on learning experiences for our students. The drone image of Franklin Walmart was taken by a MMS STEM student.
We greatly appreciate your contribution in making our program a success!
Win a 50" ROKU TV and support the Macon Middle School STEM Program. Contact gareth.wilkinson@macon.k12.nc.us to purchase tickets!
Macon Outdoor Club Careers in Natural Resources field trip to Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Nov. 11-13.
A new documentary looks at the childcare crisis in North Carolina, how it affects everyone, and what's at stake if we don't fix it. Learn more at takecarenc.com to view this documentary for free on Oct. 9th.
Our STEM program took 50 students to Western Carolina University’s STEM Day last Friday. The students thoroughly enjoyed the learning experience, and many of them expressed how impactful the day was for them.
Several students shared that, after this trip, they now know they want to go to university! The opportunity to be on campus, explore WCU, and see the sights inspired them and opened their eyes to the possibilities ahead.
Thank you to the STEM-E grant through WRESA for making this memorable and educational experience possible for our students. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Macon County Schools will have an early release day on Oct. 30th, 2024, and Feb. 26th, 2025 to provide district-wide professional development to their faculty and staff. If you need after-school childcare, please get in touch with one of these community partners who will be providing services on these days.
On behalf of the Macon Middle STEM program, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for the generous gift of $472 from the Macon County Academic Foundation. Your support will significantly impact our efforts to provide hands-on, inquiry-based learning opportunities for our students.
At Macon Middle, our STEM program emphasizes project-based learning and collaboration, preparing students to develop the skills they need to succeed in today's world. Your donation will allow us to purchase the necessary supplies to enhance this hands-on approach and further engage our students in meaningful, real-world experiences. We truly appreciate your partnership and investment in the success of our students and program.
The NEW Macon County Schools After School Edventure Program is off to a great start! This past week we started our new "Club" programs. What kinds of clubs? Intro to Spanish, Art supported by the Macon County Arts Council ARTReach Program, NC Cooperative Extension Camp, Cook, Play program, Robotics, STEM with the National Inventor Hall of Fame curriculum, Highlands Biological Station natural history programs, and Western Carolina University Mountain Heritage Programs. All clubs take place Tuesday - Thursday.
Spaces for this program are filling up fast at our 5 sites (Cartoogechaye Elementary, Iotla Valley Elementary, South Macon Elementary, East Franklin Elementary, and Mountain View Intermediate School). This program is open to students in Kindergarten through age 13. The program begins after school at 3:00 with pick up no later than 6:00 pm. The clubs meet from 4:00 - 5:00 so don't miss them!
For more information, please go to the website - www.macon.k12.nc.us and scroll to the bottom of the Menu to find the EDVENTURE program information and application materials. Students are not allowed to stay until all paperwork is completed and submitted. A subsidy is available to help offset the cost for those who qualify. Contact Amy Breedlove at 828-349-2124 to find out if you are eligible.
Come join the fun!
Thanks to a grant through the North Carolina Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission the NEW Macon Early College Outdoor Trailblazers Club purchased 10 new bikes with helmets, repair kit, and bike pump! Look for them cruising on the Greenway and eventually, hitting local mountain bike trails! @ncoutdoortrailblazers @gooutsidenc
Thank you also to Motion Makers Bicycle Shop in Sylva for being a dream to work with and supporting our program!
Check out the MEC Facebook Page for updates on the club!
We are pleased to inform you that MMS, MEC, and FHS were all awarded a $5,000 - $10,000 grant last year to establish an outdoor club aimed at getting our students outdoors and away from their screens. With the increasing demands of technology on our students, it is more important than ever to encourage them to spend time outside and engage with the natural world.
As part of this initiative, the outdoor club will be taking a trip to Tremont in the Great Smoky Mountains on November 11-13. This trip is designed to provide our students with hands-on learning experiences in natural resources and recreation, while also promoting potential careers in environmental fields. Please note that students participating in this trip will miss two days of school (Nov 11 and 12). The trip has been approved by the school board, and all necessary arrangements are being made to ensure a smooth experience for everyone involved.
If you are interested in participating in the Outdoor Club and participating in this trip to Tremont, please complete the Google Form. The $75.00 fee and paperwork (which will be emailed to you) are due on Oct. 4, 2024. This trip is open to 7th - 10th grade students.
https://forms.gle/h8FXR4H36tcHvFkj7
