Fifth-graders to join MSU researcher to give snow science program

Montana State University doctoral student Andrew Slaughter is giving a presentation at this fall's International Snow Science Workshop, along with two unlikely co-presenters: fifth-graders Micah Robin and Isabella Sarmiento.

The trio will give a presentation on avalanche safety and snow science that was written by fifth-graders at Ophir School, an elementary school 15 miles north of Yellowstone National Park.

Slaughter, a doctoral student in MSU's civil engineering department, spent the past school year helping teach science at the school, an experience made possible by the MSU chapter of the national GK-12 program.

Funded by the National Science Foundation, GK-12 partners graduate students with teachers at rural schools like Ophir. This year marked the fourth for the program, which is coordinated by MSU's Big Sky Institute.

GK-12 fellows normally produce an informational poster about their teaching experiences that they can present at academic meetings and conference, but this year, Slaughter decided to do things a bit differently. He let his fifth-graders do the work and take credit for it.

Slaughter hopes to become an engineering professor and researcher after he finishes his doctorate next year so he can continue studying cold environments.

Back-to-school health fair, fun run slated

A one-mile fun run, immunizations, sports physicals, well child screenings, activities and health education will be part of a back-to-school health fair 3:30-6:30 p.m. Aug. 5 at St. Peter's Hospital.

"Ready! Set! Go! Be Healthy for the School Year," is sponsored by St. Peter's and New West Health Services.

Capitol Classic, the free fun run, is open to students ages 6 to 14.

At the hospital, St. Peter's Medical Group physicians will provide free sports physicals to student athletes and Lewis & Clark County Health Department will offer immunizations through the Vaccines for Children program.

Free well child screenings will be offered including height and weight measurements, hearing and vision screenings, blood pressure monitoring, body mass index measurements, flexibility testing, and car seat checks.

Those planning to participate in the Capitol Classic fun run are asked to register by today at www.stpetes.org or by calling 444-2130.

Those attending the health fair should enter through the hospital's East Entrance behind the Maria Dean Medical Office Building. Activities will be held in the parking lot, public concourse, Rehabilitation Department, Education Center, 123 Conference Rooms, and former Maria Dean Imaging Center.

Pilates certification classes to be held

Nationally recognized Pilates instructor Kandace Lopez of Northwest Pilates in Oregon will conduct two instructor certification classes in Helena next month.

From Aug. 14-16, Lopez will teach a Power Pilates certification class. Certification will allow participants to teach beginner mat classes. Cost for the class is $500.

From Aug. 14-19, she will pre-train class participants in the Gyrotonic exercise method, using specialty equipment. Cost for this class is $850.

The classes will be held at Inside Out Fitness, 3210 Euclid Ave., behind Broadwater Market.

To register, call 449-6173.

Community-building program will be Aug. 11

On Aug. 11, Dr. John Kretzmann, codirector of the Asset-based Community Development Institute at Northwestern University will lead a workshop, Building Stronger Communities: More Asset-based Strategies and Tools.

The workshop will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Bozeman.

Kretzmann and local citizen leaders will also share strength-based approaches to foster community building. The workshop is cosponsored by the nonprofit organization Hopa Mountain and Montana State University's Horizons program. The cost of the workshop is $25, which includes lunch at the Holiday Inn.

Kretzmann is the author of "Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community's Assets." He has international recognition as an inspiring, straightforward, and wise advocate of strength-based approaches to building healthy local communities.

Hopa Mountain is a Bozeman-based nonprofit that supports rural and tribal community leaders, adults and youth, in their efforts to improve education, ecological health and economic development. The Horizons program at Montana State University in Bozeman is a rural community leadership project that is designed to reduce poverty through community-led initiatives.

For more information or to register, visit www.hopamountain.org or call (406) 586-2455.