Neighborhood Homework Club Kids to Run 5K in the SLC Marathon

To Run or Not to Run!
I used to ask that question each day. Now that I have promised to run the half marathon if the NHC kids run a 5K, the issue has been resolved. I will run along with three other parents.
Great news for our fundraising efforts. The entry fees to participate in the SL Marathon will be waived (thank you Devine Family). This will allow us to focus on raising money and run "gratis" for our support of one-revolution foundation. The children are currently looking for sponsors to support them in their effort. They are asking for a contribution of 1$/km.
The big event will take place April 19th. We will be prepared to make a donation to one-revolution at our benefit dinner April 27th. The children are excited about the idea that they can contribute to the climb "on their own"! And they are right. It will be their effort, not ours, who will cross that finish line. They all have their own ideas about why it is important to help out. If you see the children, please ask them about their mission. You will be delighted with their responses.
These children see the world through purity and innocence, optimism and hope. We should try to be more like them!

Neighborhood Homework Club sponsors the robotics team "Super Battle Droids"

The children from Super Battle Droids, a robotics team of 9 and 10 year old students from Salt Lake and Davis counties, visited the Neighborhood Homework Club to showcase the robot they designed and built as part of their participation in the FIRST LEGO League program. These children have been invited to attend an international competition in Atlanta in April, 2008.
Robotics programs have become very popular around the country and these children demonstrated their enthusiasm for the personal rewards of teamwork and problem solving. For more information please log onto www.firstlegoleague.org

Dr. Tami Goetz meets with future scientists

Dr. Tami Goetz, the State Science Advisor, was a recent visitor to the Neighborhood Homework Club. The children showed off their science fair projects to Dr. Goetz after a successful science fair showing for the NHC children. Dr. Goetz was a guest speaker at the NHC in February as part of an effort to inspire the children to "think big" with their projects. She followed up with the club members as they were able to show off their posters and awards they received for their hard work.

The Neighborhood Homework Club Participates in the JRES Science Fair

Congratulations to all of the children who worked so hard on their projects. We are proud of you!
Projects Include:
"Slime Time - a model of an earthworm farm by Amelia J
"Dinoriffic" - an experiment on fossils by Annabel J
"Gum Endurance"- which type of gum lasts the by Kasey J
"Bridge for Pennies" - How many pennies can a single sheet of paper hold by Lane L
"Hand Warmers" - Which name brand hand warmers work the best by Katie T
"Rust" - How different solution react to create rust on metal by Megan T
"Evaporation" - How different solutions evaporate at different rates by Jackie T
"What Common Household Items are Toxic to the Aquatic Environment" - A measurement of toxicity to the freshwater organism D. magna by Andrew R
"Where are the Hidden Germs in our Homes" - Finding germs in our homes by Payton G
"The Solar System" - a model by Christian S
"Morning Glory" - a hot spring model by Emma S
"Who has the dirtiest mouth" - a study of a human's mouth versus a dog's mouth by James S

Current Events - March 5, 2008

We use this blog to share information about our current events and activities. So check back often to see what's going on with the Neighborhood Homework Club. Tonight's post is a quick one as we're off in different directions for the next few days.

Here's a rundown of current projects:

• The NHC is planning a dinner and auction to be held in the spring to kick off fund raising to local athlete Chris Waddell and his effort to attempt to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro under his own power using a "one-off" hand cycle. Please refer to his one-revolution.com website for more information and how you can help.

• The children participated in the Jeremy Ranch Science Fair on February 28th. Check back for titles of their projects and how they fared overall.

• The children are training to run in the Salt Lake City Marathon 5k. Many will be using this as an opportunity to help raise funds in support of the project referenced above - Chris Waddell's Kilimanjaro climb.

• We are focusing on math this month to supplement the "Hats of to Math" program at Jeremy Ranch Elementary School.

The NHC will take a tour of the Snyderville Wastewater Treatment Facility on March 12

Catalyst

Catalyst:
a person or thing that precipitates an event or change

We are currently planning an incredible event to support a local athlete. In March of 2009, Chris Waddell will attempt to summit Kilimanjaro. Chris, a star athlete and paralympian will conquer the 19,340 foot high mountain without the use of his legs. To understand the challenge he will face, check out the video on his web page at www.one-revolution.com.

The children are pleased to kick off the effort to raise funds to support Chris by running the 5K portion of the Salt Lake City Marathon on April 19th. We will then host an auction and rabble rousing dinner at the Jeremy Ranch Country Club on April 27, 2008.

Many people have asked me “what does a Homework Club have to do with supporting a world class athlete in his quest to climb Kilimanjaro?” My answer to that is simple:“this is what we are about. We are the spirit of community and supporting others, sometimes complete strangers. And we have the most powerful force in the universe and that is kid power”.

When I first read about Chris and his endeavor I immediately connected with his idealism, hopeless optimism and vision of what he would like to accomplish. It is so much more than climbing a mountain. I wanted to bring this “spirit” to my group of kids. I wanted to show them the world of possibilities through the eyes of Chris. I hope to be able to show our children a world they have never seen before.

I am so thankful for everyone who has jumped on board with me to do this. I could not manage an event this size on my own. I want to reach out to others in the community and show them how powerful we can be when we all work together. We can become catalysts!

If you would like to make a contribution please contact me. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to Chris and his One-revolution Foundation.