Dressed in their Sunday best, students from Bonita Springs Charter School held a mock trail recently to determine the ethics of creating or cloning people as it relates to Mary Shelley’s novel “Frankenstein.”
The students spent months reading the classic 1817 novel and preparing for the trial in which they took on the roles of jury, lawyer, and even judge to figure out if Dr. Victor Frankenstein, the main character of the book, is guilty of medical negligence and ethics violations.
“This is the conclusion of this project that we have been doing since November. I asked them to research the topic, write papers and prepare what they would say during the trail,” said Evan Olson, the seventh- grade teacher who created the project two years ago as a “twist on learning.”
Olson says the twist comes in when he asks his reading and language arts class to connect the dots between what Shelley was trying to say and how that relates to modern day issues.
“Discussing cloning now is similar to what Shelley was dealing with then and through this book we see where science is going today with stem cell research and other practices,” Olson said.
Apart from researching modern day cloning, students appointed class members to take on roles in the trial including Dr. Frankenstein and his monster.
They also created a virtual mouse online to better understand what cloning is and its meaning in modern day society.
“I learned a lot about the court system and how it works and some of the questions that were asked were surprising,” said Stephanie Spear, 13, who presided as the judge during the trail.
The courtroom dialogue was scripted and practiced once but students still felt they got a firsthand account of what it takes to have a fair trail.
Another literature class sat in as an unbiased jury and it was their job to deliver a verdict.
“It was fun because I got to see what I will do when I get older. The things I learned were great and I was proud of my team,” said Bill Busby, 13, who played the lead prosecutor during the trail.
Busby may want to become a lawyer but that wasn’t Olson’s ultimate goal. He wanted students to understand the court system and the ethical aspects of the book.
“They saw the connection of what they read and how it relates to today,” said Olson, who teared up at the end of the trial while thanking his students for a job well done.
The prosecution was able to find Dr. Frankenstein guilty on both counts although previous trials in other classes have lead the jury to find him guilty on one count and not the other or lead to a mistrial.
“This class has blown my socks off with their research and their questions,” Olson said. “They really worked hard and understood what I was trying to teach them.”
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Realtors donate $34,000 to build Habitat home
Habitat for Humanity is closer to being able to build a home thanks to a donation by the Bonita Springs Estero Association of Realtors Inc.
The Realtors got together during a December auction and collected $34,000 — just $15,000 shy of the $50,000 needed to build a Habitat home.
“This money will help us raise a home with the folks from BEAR and we are grateful that they made us a cause they want to support,” said Michael Mansfield, the vice president of development and communication for Habitat for Humanity.
Mansfield was presented with the $34,000 check recently during BEAR’s first meeting of the year. The meeting gave everyone a chance to see how the money was going to be spent.
“It’s phenomenal what they were able to do in one night,” Mansfield said after the presentation.
During one night in December the Realtors were able to raise the money by hosting a series of live and silent auctions. Attendees bid on trips, dinners and other offerings that were donated by local businesses.
“I thought they did an outstanding job all in one night. I couldn’t believe it,” said Betty Jean Christensen, BEAR spokesperson.
The event also gave BEAR members a chance to invite guests and some members of the public.
“It’s a wonderful feeling that we can help in this way. It’s truly what this group is about,” said Jim Scartz, the president of BEAR.
Scartz said that partnering with Habitat for Humanity and BEAR is an ideal match because Realtors sell homes to help people and Habitat builds them.
“It’s a perfect fit because we are in a similar business and we try to do whatever we can for local residents,” Scartz said.
BEAR has more events in the works like a golf outing that will help BEAR reach the goal Habitat needs to build a home. The home will most likely be built in Lehigh Acres although BEAR preferred to help build a house in Bonita Springs.
“It will probably be up there because we currently have three homes going in Bonita Springs and we don’t own any more land down here,” said Mansfield, who will let BEAR members know when the homes will be built so members can help with the construction phase as well. "We serve the lowest of the low incomes wise and this money will get us to help even more and that’s what this is about.”
The Realtors got together during a December auction and collected $34,000 — just $15,000 shy of the $50,000 needed to build a Habitat home.
“This money will help us raise a home with the folks from BEAR and we are grateful that they made us a cause they want to support,” said Michael Mansfield, the vice president of development and communication for Habitat for Humanity.
Mansfield was presented with the $34,000 check recently during BEAR’s first meeting of the year. The meeting gave everyone a chance to see how the money was going to be spent.
“It’s phenomenal what they were able to do in one night,” Mansfield said after the presentation.
During one night in December the Realtors were able to raise the money by hosting a series of live and silent auctions. Attendees bid on trips, dinners and other offerings that were donated by local businesses.
“I thought they did an outstanding job all in one night. I couldn’t believe it,” said Betty Jean Christensen, BEAR spokesperson.
The event also gave BEAR members a chance to invite guests and some members of the public.
“It’s a wonderful feeling that we can help in this way. It’s truly what this group is about,” said Jim Scartz, the president of BEAR.
Scartz said that partnering with Habitat for Humanity and BEAR is an ideal match because Realtors sell homes to help people and Habitat builds them.
“It’s a perfect fit because we are in a similar business and we try to do whatever we can for local residents,” Scartz said.
BEAR has more events in the works like a golf outing that will help BEAR reach the goal Habitat needs to build a home. The home will most likely be built in Lehigh Acres although BEAR preferred to help build a house in Bonita Springs.
“It will probably be up there because we currently have three homes going in Bonita Springs and we don’t own any more land down here,” said Mansfield, who will let BEAR members know when the homes will be built so members can help with the construction phase as well. "We serve the lowest of the low incomes wise and this money will get us to help even more and that’s what this is about.”
Monday, January 29, 2007
Music drives chorus
The Bonita Springs Chorus doesn't have a commanding presence.
During rehearsals, members take off their shoes, sit comfortably and chitchat in between sets.
But don't let their relaxed practice fool you.
Its members are older citizens looking to share their love of singing with the community — no matter what.
"I love to sing. I love the chorus," said Alleane Shivel, 94, of Bonita Springs. She is the oldest person in the 30-member chorus.
The group performs in costumes to give them an "official look."
"We dress up and look very presidential in our cream gowns," said Joby Stracka, the president of the business side of the chorus. "The music is what drives us. We are a community chorus and we like to share with everyone," she said.
The fact that the chorus is for the community means that they can be invited to perform just about anywhere.
During last year's Christmas season, they performed at several locations, including Riverside Park, the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, and for the Bonita Springs Lions Club. They are currently looking to fill their spring concert series.
"We need to plan concerts because we were booked up for the holidays but now we have spots open," said Stracka, who joined the chorus five years ago and was elected president after attending three rehearsals.
Having a full schedule of performances during the spring helps the chorus put their rehearsal skills to use and helps them recruit members.
"It's all done by word of mouth sometimes," said Beverly Robertson, the director. "We have members from all over and the more we get the better."
Robertson makes it a point to tell every new member that the chorus is not affiliated with any church or religion.
"We are open to everyone. People just think of a chorus as part of a church ... that's what a choir is," Robertson said, adding that the chorus practices at the First United Methodist Church of Bonita Springs because its founder was a member. "We don't sing at church on Sundays. We are for the community."
The group performs four or five part harmonies, including show tunes, some gospel and patriotic songs.
Hiring the chorus is free but any donations are welcome to help pay for the updated items the chorus needs, such as songbooks, outfits and a keyboard.
"We have some items from when the chorus started 30 years ago. It's time for a change and we are working on it," Stracka said.
The chorus also spends time away from rehearsals going out to lunch and gathering at different locations once a month.
"We try to have fun socializing too and we go to lunch for fun," said Stracka, adding that transportation isn't provided to shows or lunches. "We are friends too and that's the best of being in the chorus."
Club raises $11,000 for Guadalupe Center
The Bonita Bay Club raised more than $11,000 — and counting — at a 1950s-themed party to benefit the Guadalupe Center of Immokalee.
The nonprofit and nonsectarian center is an initiative by citizens interested in helping children near the poverty level in Collier County.
But the county lines didn't deter the Bonita Bay Club from giving back and providing educational, social and other support.
"We've been doing this for 15 years," said Lorette Clevenger of the Bonita Bay Club.
The club also held the fundraiser as a way to remind the community about the importance of helping others.
"This fundraiser was aimed at the center again because it's also an opportunity to raise awareness within the Bonita Bay community," said Clevenger about the party held recently for an entry fee of $100.
Guests wore poodle skirts and leather jackets and penny loafers — reminiscent of rock 'n' roll music — and danced to music provided by "Sweet Charity," a band comprised of members of Bonita Bay.
"We have had a variety of themes but this was the first time to do a '50s theme and it was hugely successful," she said.
The money raised will be used to fund child care and after-school tutoring programs at the center.
"The money we raised was on a donation basis and everyone's involvement is a testament to how important the Guadalupe Center is to us," Clevenger said.
The nonprofit and nonsectarian center is an initiative by citizens interested in helping children near the poverty level in Collier County.
But the county lines didn't deter the Bonita Bay Club from giving back and providing educational, social and other support.
"We've been doing this for 15 years," said Lorette Clevenger of the Bonita Bay Club.
The club also held the fundraiser as a way to remind the community about the importance of helping others.
"This fundraiser was aimed at the center again because it's also an opportunity to raise awareness within the Bonita Bay community," said Clevenger about the party held recently for an entry fee of $100.
Guests wore poodle skirts and leather jackets and penny loafers — reminiscent of rock 'n' roll music — and danced to music provided by "Sweet Charity," a band comprised of members of Bonita Bay.
"We have had a variety of themes but this was the first time to do a '50s theme and it was hugely successful," she said.
The money raised will be used to fund child care and after-school tutoring programs at the center.
"The money we raised was on a donation basis and everyone's involvement is a testament to how important the Guadalupe Center is to us," Clevenger said.
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