Live and Learn

Here is how we are Educating ourselves by questioning, exploring, discovering, and learning everywhere except in the classroom! It's all about learning through life and respecting individuality. Please think freely and enjoy the experience with us.



-The DeBacker Family



2011 Science Fair Set for April 8! Save the date for Science!

Southwest Missouri Homeschool Science Fair

Friday, April 8
10:00-4:00
Library Center: Auditorium and Community Rooms A & B

This event will give students an opportunity to share their science projects with a community of fellow homeschoolers with the purpose of encouraging families to pursue quality, scientifically valid projects and receive mentoring and feedback from a guest panel of professional scientists.

Categories include experimental projects for older students and demonstrative displays for lower-elementary. Awards for all ages.

The schedule of events will take place as follows:

10:00-10:30 Students set up projects for display and judging

10:30-4:00 Fair open for public viewing.

10:30-3:30 Judging of projects.

4:00-5:00 Awards presentation and cleanup.

This year, students showing demonstrative displays (ages 9 and under) will be located in a separate exhibit space while older students with experiental projects are being judged in the auditorium. All exhibitors will be assigned a specific time at which your project will be judged. Entrants must be available to speak with judges individually during this time. Science-related activity tables will be setup for all ages to participate in some hands-on fun. Refreshments will be provided.

Cost for participation: $5 per exhibitor due with entry form

Age Categories and Rules:
Ages 9 and under: may display 1 project either demonstrative or a collection
Ages 10 and over: project MUST be experimental. One entry per student.

A panel of professional scientists and science educators will be judging the projects and providing feedback to the kids based on the following criteria: scientific accuracy and use of the Scientific Method; planning, effort, completeness; creativity; logic in process and presentation; technical skill; and knowledge of the subject. The current March 1 edition of The Independent Scholar area homeschool newspaper contains in-depth information and resources for science fair projects including judge's advice, project scoring rubrics, and entry forms.
WRITTEN ENTRY DEADLINE is MARCH 30.
email DeBackerland@att.net for forms and further information.





 Top prize for first place experimental division: $50 Gift Certificate to Home Science Tools

Art For Students By Students

Two Art Workshops exclusively for homeschoolers will be conducted in May, 2011by Drury University Methods of Art Education Students under the supervision of local art teacher Kevin Kloppenburg. These classes will be held on Wednesday May 4 (for elementary grades) and May 11 for middle and high school students from 3:30-5:00 at Central High School.     Information and Registration:  These classes will be offered FREE of charge including all materials, but enrollment is limited to the first 25 students who RSVP.    Classes are restricted to specified ages. Parents may drop off children, but must strictly abide by the 3:30 starting and 5:00 ending times. Parents are also welcome to observe the class, but siblings who are not enrolled in the class may not attend.Students will be presented with instruction including artistic theory and a hands-on project.


To RSVP or for more information, please email Kara DeBacker: DeBackerland@att.net

The Independent Scholar Homeschool Newspaper

(click the title above to visit The Independent Scholar website)



We are proud to announce the distribution of a quarterly printed newspaper published by and about homeschoolers in the Southwest Missouri region. Started in the fall of 2010, this 20-page tabloid-format 11x17 paper contains news, current event listings, artwork, features and columns pertinent to our home education lifestyle.

Homeschooling kids and parents:  send us your writing, updates, opinions, event listings, and articles for publication!  Also, support us by subscribing and advertising.  This is your school paper!

Yearly subscriptions (4 issues) are available now at the regular subscription price of $15 per year (4 quarterly issues) beginning with the current (Winter 2010) issue. We also have a bulk order option for groups or individuals who order 20 or more copies of a single issue prepaid for $1 per copy.
To subscribe, please fill out the form below and mail with your check to:


Ozarks Area Unschoolers Homeschool Press
Kara DeBacker, Publisher
5646 E Division
Springfield, MO 65802


Name:
Mailing address:
e-mail:

I have enclosed

______ $15 for a one-year regular subscription
______   $2 for each additional back issue (Fall, 2010 and/or Winter, 2010)

website: http://www.theindependentscholarnewspaper.com/
Congratulations to the winners of the 7th annual Kids UnSchool Art Exhibit!

Held Jan 25-28, 2011
Sponsored by Waverly House Gallery and KSMU Public Radio
http://www.waverlyhouse.com/

Rebekah Meinsen- Best of Show


Awards of Merit: Stephanie Philpot, Christian Prater, Abby Parten, Adam DeBacker, and Morgan Piercy



NOW SEATING!!!


Join us for two upcoming school-day matinee performances at Hammons Hall:


Mad Science presents
STAR TREK LIVE
Monday, April 11, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.


Mad Science Productions is proud to present STAR TREK LIVE – an action-packed, interactive adventure based on the legendary Star Trek franchise and the thrilling new movie. With a shocking invasion of Romulan forces from the future, the newly formed Starfleet Academy of audience cadets must work together to save planet Earth! With the help of a time-travelling Vulcan, the Starfleet Commander and his team of rookie cadets must bravely draw on 21st century science and technology to try to defeat the alien forces. With cutting-edge special effects, unmatched audience interaction, and on-screen appearances from Captain Kirk and Spock themselves, STAR TREK LIVE is an exhilarating and unforgettable experience for students. Recommended for grades 2 & up



LAKOTA SIOUX DANCE THEATRE
April 21, 2011
Thursday, 10:00 a.m.


Dance is at the heart of Plains Indian culture – used in social and “show” situations (pow-wows), to honor individuals and mark rites of passage, and as an expression of spirituality. The Lakota Sioux Dance Theatre, founded at the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, draws upon the traditions of Lakota Indian educators, healers, community leaders, championship pow-wow dancers, singers and storytellers to present a celebration of Plains Indian culture. Set against a backdrop of spectacular video imagery – and accompanied by live traditional, sacred and courting songs – narrative and creation stories are woven into the fabric of the performance. Recommended for grades 2 & up



Prepayments of $6 per seat are due before March 15.  For mailing address or more information: DeBackerland@att.net