CLARKSVILLE — More than 10,000 school board members, administrators, district staff, students and guests were in attendance at the 2016 Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) Capital Conference and Trade Show Nov. 13-16 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
Considered one of the most successful and rewarding exhibitions at the Capital Conference was the 18th Annual Student Achievement Fair, where Clinton-Massie Elementary School’s Computer Coding Club was among the 100 booths showcasing innovative school programs.
According to OSBA, the Student Achievement Fair features the many innovative projects and programs school districts have created to boost student achievement and engage youngsters in learning and growth. The fair also offered excellent opportunities to learn about new programs, share ideas, and celebrate what public education in Ohio is all about — helping students achieve.
Showcasing their computer coding skills, “students shared the games and projects they created in the CMES Coding Club. They even showed some people how to code and shared with many districts how to start their own coding clubs,” said technology teacher and club adviser Mary Ritter.
Massie’s Computer Coding Club is open to students in third through fifth grade and offers after-school enrichment that engages students in computer programming. Club members participating in the fair included Sammy Dameron, Macy Kreider, Ian Schumm, Aidan Sharrett, and Hayden Turner. Also attending were club founder and CM parent Bryce Schumm and club advisers Laura Darcy and Mary Ritter.
Another popular exhibition of the Student Achievement Fair featured the works of some of Ohio’s most talented and creative student artists, including Clinton-Massie fifth-grader Olivia Ward.
Based off the works of English painter Bridget Riley, one of the foremost proponents of Op Art, short for optical illusion, Olivia’s piece was created using colored pencils and markers.
According to Olivia’s art teacher Samantha Webb, “Olivia is a patient and creative thinker whose craftsmanship is on point. She is always eager to start a new project and isn’t afraid to add in her own innovative twists.”
By participating in the Student Achievement Fair, students experience the opportunity to be the teachers by presenting their accomplishments and displaying their work to an audience educational leaders from throughout the state.
Information for this article was provided by Diana Miller, who coordinates communications for several area schools.
