CMS students present NSF/Tufts smart‑motor project and sold‑out Matilda Junior production

Columbia Middle School students and staff presented highlights from second semester, including participation in a Tufts University/National Science Foundation field research project and a large student theater production.

Assistant Principal Courtney Miller said the middle school raised $2,189 for a local student battling cancer and previewed upcoming field trips for each grade band. Students involved in the Smart Motor program demonstrated how they coded motors and used sensors; staff explained Columbia is the only Illinois school in the Tufts field research cohort and that the district’s work is intended to produce reusable lesson 'learning maps' for wider use.

Student presenters described how they programmed a motor by clearing data points, adding new points and using play commands to encode motion; teachers said one class period was sufficient for students to learn motor controls and that larger content connections followed over three weeks.

Drama sponsor reported Matilda Junior included roughly 105 student participants (actors and backstage crew), used locally crafted foam props costing about $1,000, and relied on concession and ticket proceeds to fund prop construction.

The board praised students and staff for the hands‑on learning and arts engagement; administrators encouraged community attendance at a PTA‑funded stargazing night on April 11, sponsored in part by a local municipality (Valmeyer) and PTA funds.

Next steps: district will continue to support STEM field research participation and theater productions as part of the curriculum and extracurricular offerings.