The WPES Book Club is Valuable and Memorable!

The 5th Annual WPES Book Club has successfully concluded, marking another enriching chapter in our school's commitment to fostering a love for reading and learning. Over the past two and a half weeks, students delved into the fascinating world of Mars exploration, gaining insights into the details of rover design and testing. They explored the processes involved in creating these remarkable machines that venture into the unknown, learning about the challenges and triumphs faced by engineers and scientists.

In addition to the technical aspects, the Book Club emphasized the importance of attributes valued in STEM careers. Students discovered the importance of teamwork, creativity, problem-solving, and perseverance—qualities that are essential for success in all fields. 

Thank you to all that collaborated in this planning and participation.  The generous support of our WPS PTO continues to work hard to purchase the books for each student and teacher each year. THANK YOU, PTO! 

Here are some highlights in galleries of photos below:

Star Lab  - As K-5 students stepped inside the inflatable Star Lab dome, their eyes widened with excitement. They engaged with constellations, planets, and galaxies, guided by USMA Physics instructors. This hands-on experience sparked their interest in space, encouraged questions, and inspired critical thinking about the universe. It was a day of discovery and inspiration, leaving a lasting impression on these young minds. 

Robot Dog– Like the Mars rovers, the robot dog, Zeus (SPOT), from the Robot Research Center at USMA’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, are increasingly being used in military applications.  We learned from our visit in which Colonel Joe Davis taught the students (Grades K-5) that these robots offer advantages over wheeled or tracked vehicles in rough terrain, allowing them to navigate stairs and uneven surfaces. Zeus can also carry thirty pounds of cameras and sensors, enabling him to function as early warning systems to keep soldiers safe. 

Recorded Guest Speaker - Aerospace Engineer Kyle Waters sent a motivating message from NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab in California to his former West Point Elementary and Middle School. He highlighted the importance of developing attributes that enhance the qualities and skills of design teams. Mr. Waters also read A Rover's Story and shared his experiences in designing and testing the Mars rover Perseverance and its helicopter, Ingenuity. In mid-May, Engineer Waters will hold a live session with the students in grades 4 and 5 to answer questions sent to him in advance regarding his experiences in his career. 

2^nd Annual Movie Night- The WPES Student Council recently hosted their annual movie night, a much-anticipated event that brought the entire school community together to celebrate our Book Club initiative. This year, the chosen movie was Pixar's WALL-E, a heartwarming tale that beautifully mirrored the exploration journey of a rover, much like the one depicted in A Rover's Story.

The event not only provided entertainment but also reinforced the themes of curiosity, perseverance, and innovation that are central to both the movie and the book. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to connect their reading experiences with visual storytelling, deepening their understanding and appreciation of the topics. The movie night started with a Student Council-made movie clip to remind all to "silence your cell phones". Very tech savvy, Bulldogs!

WPES in Book Club Action- Check out the Book Club happenings throughout the WPES to collaborate with A Rover's Story.  Some highlights include the Bee Bot rovers that needed to be coded just right to get to the correct planet on the puzzle mats. Coding with loops were taught by dancing it out! Line dancing at lunch is what we are doing to code loops. Space Music Jams rocked out in the WPES gym during PE warmups. How about the "universe of possibilities" bulletin board where you can add a star! Continuing down the WPES hallways, you may have engaged with a story walk, greeted the balloon rover (made by Gwendy Matthews), interacted with a wall of textures, and explored facts about the solar system.  Don't forget that we had a rover naming contest for a model rover in the library.

Guest Reading Buddies - Guest readers from West Point Middle School recently joined kindergarten and first grade students for a special WPES Book Club event. The middle school students brought a sense of excitement and camaraderie as they shared their favorite stories with the younger students. This event fostered a love for reading and created a unique opportunity for mentorship and bonding between different age groups. The kindergarten and first grade students were captivated by the engaging storytelling and enjoyed the special visits.  In turn, the middle school readers felt a sense of pride and responsibility in inspiring their younger peers. Overall, the WPES Book Club event was a heartwarming experience that highlighted the importance of community and the joy of reading.

All in all, the WPES Book Club event was a celebration of curiosity and innovation, inspiring students to dream big and consider the possibilities that lie ahead in their academic and professional journeys. As they wrapped up their activities, the excitement and enthusiasm for learning were evident, leaving a lasting impression on everyone involved. The 5th Annual WPES Book Club has once again proven to be a valuable and memorable experience for our students, igniting their passion for exploration and discovery.