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Three, two, one... Blast Off! by Tonia Goertz Each fall, the students in Mary Haugen’s class spend time working on a science project that teaches a variety of skills. They create individual rockets, and launch them. Haugen explained, “Oh, the project teaches a variety of scientific principals, as well as encouraging their creativity and problem solving skills.” Through this project, students learn about propulsion, rocket design, the importance of fins for stabilization, and how to follow instructions. While each rocket was unique, there are a few things they all have in common, including the purchased rocket motors, launchers, and igniters that Haugen purchasied many years ago. She explained, “I have had most of the stuff for many years, and I add to it as I can.” This year, the class, after several weather delays and delays due to student absences, finally had the chance to launch their rockets on Oct. 20, a beautiful day with clear skies, and just a light breeze. While the event was not without a few glitches, in the end, all of the students did eventually have successful launches. Haugen is teaching fourth grade this year, and has been teaching for “31 years, 30 of those have been in Lake Benton,” she explained. She went on, “I grew up on a farm near St. James, and taught one year in Barrett. I came to Lake Benton because I wanted to teach in a small, friendly town and the beautiful land and nature areas also attracted me.” Haugen was inspired to go into teaching by her parents. She explained, “My mom and dad inspired me the most. Growing up, my siblings and I had many, many books and all kinds of science ‘stuff’ to play with. We had a shed on the farm that we used to try out all of our inventions and experiments in. Science became my favorite subject.” Haugen has three older brothers and a sister who have all been in the education field at some time, and her brother Rich still teaches agriculture in St. James. Her brother Jim retired from his position as a science teacher just last year. Like most teachers, Haugen has a few things that she would like to do with her classes each year, but for one reason or the other, they simply are not possible. She explained, “I would like to take my science classes to the Prairie Ecology Center, or have the Ecology Bus come to Lake Benton each year. Better yet would be to have Lake Benton develop their own nature center at Hole in the Mountain Park or down by the lake. Our students could go to the center and study birds, plants, insects, native animals, and water topics. They could do a variety of science experiments and projects with the resources Lake Benton has to offer.” Mary and Larry Haugen have been married 25 years. They have two children, Michael, 19 and Derek, 13. Haugen received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota. The bottom line for Mary was, “Teaching is what I wanted to do growing up, and after 31 years of teaching, it is still what I want to do.”
Top: Josh Reese is gluing fins to his rocket during the classroom stage of the project. Bottom: Fourth grade students in Mary Haugen’s class show off their rockets prior to launch. — Lake Benton News photo by Tonia Goertz National Honor Society induction held
On Thursday, Oct. 30 the Elkton Chapter of the National Honor Society inducted new members in a ceremony conducted at the Country House in Lake Benton. Pictured here in the front row are new members Lindsey Thielen, Rachel Langland, Nicole Asmus, and Jenny Rochel. In the back row are current members Danielle Busselman, Jennifer Gunnink, and Raquel Becker. Not pictured is current member Dustin Lund. The Elkton chapter was chartered in 1991. Candidates must have 3.65 GPA, and next year that will increase to 3.70. The Faculty Council consists of five secondary faculty members including Jean Kirschenman, Jo Ann Mathis, Dan Robbins, Tom Mattingly, and Pam Blake. The chapter adviser is Leslie Leech. The chapter service project is blood drive in March. Special guests this year included Summer Pankonin, Lake Benton administrator; and Brian Jandahl, Elkton principal. There were 30 in attendance at ceremony. — Lake Benton News photo by Tonia Goertz
School hosts Thailand visitors Three students working on their doctorates in Educational Administration came to Lake Benton School on Wednesday, October 29. The students were from Udonthani Rajabhat University in Thailand. The visit was in conjunction with a cooperative programming agreement between SMSU and Udonthani Rajabhat University. The focus of the visit was to shadow Superintendent Summer Pankonen and acquire information to help them with their education studies. The agenda prepared by the school included having the Thai students work briefly with the Lake Benton students. They taught our students how to say “thank you” and “good morning” in Thai. The group also met with school board and community members at the Buffalo Ridge Coffee Company. The day was topped off with a tour of the wind tower on Jim Nichols Farm.
Above: As part of their visit, the Thai students visited with Miss Benson’s third grade class. Thai student and preschooler, Logan Kuehl shake hands on it all.-submitted photos
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