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In Kingsley High School science teacher Nancy Olenchek's research class, she asks her students to ask, and answer, questions of their choosing.
Her students explore everything from physics, to chemistry, to sociology; and learn research best practices to find information. In the class's first year, their projects earned statewide recognition and awards at the Flint Regional Science & Engineering Fair.
Now, Ms. Olenchek is pioneering a new program with Northwestern Michigan College to help students earn college credit for their efforts.
“They’re doing college level research, no doubt. It’s only fair for these students, if they’re doing this work, to have it transcribed (as credit),” -Nick Roster, NMC instructor
This new partnership will provide new dual-enrollment opportunities at Kingsley High School as well as several other districts throughout Northern Michigan. Ms. Olenchek and other educators will teach their students about research methodology and NMC will provide oversight and support, according to their news release.
“It's a huge benefit to them,” Olencheck said. “It validates their research, number one. Two, it gives them some elective credit that they don’t have to pay for.”
"The eight-course sequence will allow students to pursue an idea or question through the entire research cycle, from initial framing to gathering data to peer review to potentially publishing and presenting.
The top students at the April NMC Science Symposium will go on to the Flint Science and Engineering Fair, the stepping stone to the International Science and Engineering Fair. Prizes and scholarships are available to the winners at these higher levels." - NMC
She told NMC she hopes this new program will help encourage students to continue pursuing opportunities at NMC post high school graduation.
“We’re trying to make a whole bunch more Hawk Owls.”
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To learn more about research class, email Nancy Olenchek at nolenchek@kingsleyschools.org
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