Here - West Lutheran High School

9
West Alumni and Mrs. Gieseke Part of
Harvard University Research Project
Harvard University started a research
project in 2005 to determine the factors
that best prepared students for success
in college. They determined success in
single variable college calculus to be a
significant indicator for success in many
areas beside math. In 2009 surveys were
sent to colleges across the United States
to find out what students in a freshman
college Calculus I classes thought were
the most helpful ways their high school
teachers used to help them be prepared for such a class. Their professors also
shared their grade earned at the end of Calculus I.
From those students that were highly successful in Calculus I, the most frequent
response was that their high school teacher required high conceptual understanding.
From the Harvard surveys completed by Alumni of West Lutheran,
that met all the above criteria, Mrs. Gieseke’s name was listed as someone who
teaches in a way for them to develop this high level of understanding. She was
recently contacted by Dr. Wade, project coordinator, and interviewed by phone
on ways she uses her classroom throughout the high school years to help students
visualize the concepts in mathematics and attain high levels of success in
college Calculus I.
Freshman Hands-on Electronics Project
The ninth grade science class recently worked on
an electronic engineering unit. The lab work included
device building circuits using solderless testing
boards; exploring advanced circuitry including using
diodes, capacitors, resistors and circuit chips; soldering
components onto integrated circuit boards;
and for the ambitious: some simple robot building.
Western Accents Tour Florida
During the week of March 25 to April 1, the Western Accents experienced Holy Week and Easter in a unique way
by touring three Florida churches. The Western Accents spent Maundy Thursday at New Hope Lutheran Church
in Melbourne and King of Glory Lutheran Church in Orlando on Good Friday. The select choir celebrated three
services on Easter at Risen Savior Lutheran Church in East Orlando - one of these services was even in Spanish.
Besides singing for worship, each church also had mission
work for the students - mainly door hangers and grounds
cleanup. The Western Accents enjoyed this wonderful opportunity
to meet, serve, and worship with other Christians.
THANK YOU to the numerous individuals who gave monetary
donations to help this trip happen.
West Lutheran High School • 3350 Harbor LN N • Plymouth, MN 55447 • (763) 509-9378 • info@wlhs.net • www.wlhs.net