Wednesday, April 19th, Johnson County School District students participated in the State Student Technology Leadership Program event (STLP) at Rupp Arena. Over 13,000 enthusiastic students and 7,000 adults/parents fully immersed themselves in the STLP experience. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to David Coach, Johnson Central High School alumnus, Associate Commissioner, KY K-12 EdTech Leader & Chief Information Officer (CIO) Office of Education Technology (OET), Marty Parks, Chief Digital Officer; Jeff Sebulsky, STLP State Coordinator; Laura Raganas, Digital Learning Coach State Lead; Office of Education Technology; STLP Ambassadors, and the numerous volunteers who contributed to making STLP 23 a success.
We would also like to express our appreciation to the students, parents, coaches, teachers, Superintendent Cochran, Mike Whitaker, District Technology Coordinator, Digital Learning Coaches, bus drivers, JC Transportation Department, Transportation Director Darren Gamble, Johnson Central High School Food Service, Food Service Director Marsha Coleman, chaperones, PTOs, and community partners who played a vital role in making this incredible opportunity a reality.
Congratulations to all the STLP teams, digital product/challenge participants, and coaches on their outstanding efforts. We want to extend a special congratulations to Central Elementary's Jaiden Maynard for achieving 2nd place overall in the Infographics Digital Online Project, Porter Elementary for securing 2nd place in the 6th-8th division of the Cinemania Challenge, the "Paws"itive Panther News team, and W.R. Castle's Project WELL (Wellness Education Lasting Lifetimes) for advancing to the 3rd round and placing within the top 90. Great job, everyone!
Central Elementary Projects
C.H.A.N.C.E.
Building on last year's project to combat drug addiction, this year's group has focused on addressing mental health issues among their peers. C.H.A.N.C.E., which stands for Creating New and Healthy Coping Environments, has created a YouTube playlist featuring videos by team members showcasing different activities they engage in to cope with stress. To help their peers handle bullying, the group wrote, illustrated, and published a children's book titled "SUPER Supplies." Additionally, they assembled relaxing breaths bracelet kits for church mission boxes destined for Haiti and crafted bracelets with positive messages for a local church's mission encounter trip.
Team members include Abby Gullett, Sebastian Adams, Aubrey Adams, Maycee Curnell, Aubrey Salyers, Abby Penix, and Carter Cooley.
Coach: Kelli Ratliff and Jayme O'brian
We Are JC
Determined to counter the perception that Johnson County has little to offer, this group of students visited various local historical sites, taking photos and conducting research to create informative videos for a YouTube playlist. They then placed QR Codes throughout the county to raise awareness of these sites.
Team members include Carissa McCarty, Collin McKenzie, Arizona Edwards, Maddie White, Ashton Hill, Brycen Curnell, and Greyson Salyers.
Coach: Kelli Ratliff and Jayme O'brian
Data-Driven Divas (DCDs)
With a data-driven mindset, this group examined their school's attendance rate and determined it needed improvement. They addressed this issue by creating weekly attendance-focused announcements, shared during morning announcements at school, and posted on YouTube and Spotify. Homeroom winners are rewarded with an attendance banner displayed outside their classroom doors. Additionally, the group celebrates perfect monthly attendance with slushies for those students and acknowledges the week's i-Ready winners. A Looker Studio scoreboard, created by the girls, displays each grade's attendance and overall school attendance and can be seen on screens throughout the school.
Team members include Lily Franklin, Cambrie Lafferty, Lauryn Fitch, Reagan Hudson, Kenslee Jude, and Chasidy Cooley.
Coach: Kelli Ratliff and Jayme O'brian
Digital Project Online Judging (DPOJ)
GS Spiders - By Greyson Salyers
Bridge to Adventure - By Ashton Hill
Patterns of the Sun- By Jaiden Maynard
2nd Place Overall- Infographics Digital Online Project
Flat Gap Elementary
Reader Leaders
Reader Leaders is an ongoing project that started last year. The team has developed reading strategies, a website, and a YouTube channel. They plan to update the website throughout the year. They are creating a link for a Google Form that will reward primary students with a certificate from the Autocrat extension, helping them track their reading goals. Reader Leaders continue to read with 1st graders throughout the year, building confidence in reading and sharing RISE reading strategies with younger students.
Team members: Mason Gibson, Branson Sagraves, Kendyl Scott, Carson O'Bryan, and Rhett Lutz. Coach: Sabrina O'Bryan
Highland Elementary
Welcome Wagon
This initiative helps new students feel a sense of belonging and eases their transition into Highland Elementary's routines. The Welcome Wagon team is always available to greet and assist guests, guide them to their destinations, and keep parents informed about community opportunities. The project is led by students Jaxton Marshall and Dixie Branham under the guidance of Coach Latonya Rowe.
Science Explosion
Recognizing the need for more science opportunities and experiences, the Science Explosion team sent a questionnaire to assess students' feelings about science. The team organized various activities based on the responses, such as a Family Fun Night, inviting guest speakers, providing "science in a box" classroom activities, hosting school-wide STEM challenges, and sharing try-at-home science demonstration videos. They also share science facts during daily announcements. Furthermore, the Science Explosion team held a "Stock the STREAM Lab" campaign and is working on a Kids Talk Science podcast. The STLP team also invited high school education students to set up STEM activities for Kindergarten through 2nd-grade students during the school day.
Team Members: Cara Stephens and Copper O'Bryan. Coached by Amanda O'Bryan
Porter Elementary
"Paws" itive Panther News
The Newscast Club at Porter Elementary works to improve social and emotional health in their school, community, and world. This school-wide project uses technology in various ways to promote STLP and spread positive news. Newscast club members prototyped their "Paws" itive News logo and their website that houses newscast videos, blogs, podcasts, and a link to the Porter YouTube channel showing how faculty and students promote a positive mindset. Panthers have participated in an STLP logo contest and visited news studios to connect with reporters gaining knowledge in broadcasting. In addition, they have written, directed, and filmed their newscasts and spread positive messages over the intercom system. In addition, students have worked diligently to create a positive chain reaction that will make an impact for years to come.
Newscast Club Members
Jaxon Sturgill, Paelynn Taylor, Jules Cochran, Emma Mulkey, Zoey Webber, Zoe Roaden, Eli Loney, Karson Walker, Brody Hall, Colton Dalton, Teagan Baldridge, Addison Shortridge, Braxton Scott, & Emma Daniels.
STLP Presenters - Jules Cochran, Emma Mulkey, Paelynn Taylor, & Jaxon Sturgill
Coaches - Rebecca Caudill & Selena Cochran
Cinemania Challenge
Students were challenged to create a 3-minute video in 48 hours using specific elements.
Team members: Paelynn Taylor, Jules Cochran, Emma Mulkey, Zoey Webber, Zoe Roaden, Addison Shortridge, & Emma Daniels.
W.R. Castle
Project WELL (Wellness Education Lasting Lifetimes):
The Wellness Warriors of W.R. Castle Elementary are dedicated to improving their community's physical and mental health. The team has developed and shared a website, distributed brochures and healthy snacks, and created a Wellness Pledge for their community. Additionally, they have created a YouTube channel where they post "Fresh Friday" videos, which share healthy, kid-friendly recipes that peers can recreate at home, and "Fit Friday" videos that offer different workouts and stress-relief activities to enhance physical and mental health. The team also provides weekly "Well Wednesday" tip announcements promoting healthy living. They have collected data throughout the project using surveys and monthly wellness checks. The Wellness Warriors are committed to raising awareness about the positive impact a healthier lifestyle can have on an individual's life and improving the overall health of their community. This project is expected to have a lasting effect for years to come.
Project WELL Members include Bentlee Spence, Kyriee McCabe, and Alexis Froschauer.
STLP Presenters are Nathaniel Anderson, Natalee Ratliff, Emilee Gwinn, and Jonathon Blevins, the coaches are Heather Gauze and Ronald Adkins.
Johnson Central High School
STLP Student Ambassador and Engineer
Grace Blackburn
Live Challenge - Help Desk
The Johnson Central High School Help Desk live challenge presentation focuses on the services the Help Desk provides to their school.
Team members: Faith Maynard and Brannan Campbell
Live Challenge - Tech Bowl
The Tech Bowl tests students' knowledge of computer terminology, skills, applications, etc. Students have 20-25 seconds to answer each question, typically 25 questions per level.
Team members: Ben Moore and Ryan Rice
Live Challenge - UofL Podcast
The UofL Podcast showcases a school's episodic podcast. JCHS Eagle Podcasting created and shared their original news podcasting with judges.
Team members: Emily Pack, Joel May, and Emily Triplett
Live Challenge
UK Minds on Engineering
JCHS PLTW Engineering is building a solar car as a proof-of-concept, high-efficiency, non-fossil fuel vehicle. Students shared their work in front of a panel of judges.
Team members: Brandon Grass, Ryan Kitchen, Hudson Kewandowski, and Shadrack Reinthaler
Live Challenge - Newscast
Eagle News students shared details about the JCHS News program. They discussed the creation and broadcasting of Eagle News with a panel of experts.
Team members: Constance Martin, Hannah Piedad, Ivy Young, and Simon Thach
Project - Help Desk
The Johnson Central Help Desk provides IT services to JCHS staff and students, including Chromebook repairs, workstation installations, and troubleshooting and repairing network issues. Help Desk students are available every period for technology support.
Team members: Devon Pinder, Adyn Fairchild, and Seth Blackburn
Project - Eagle News
Eagle News is a weekly JCTV production that covers sports, weather, local events, and news important to JCHS staff and students. Eagle News is published weekly on the JCTV YouTube channel.
Team members: Kylie Castle and Jacob Slone
Project - Verbal Vision
Grace Blackburn will code scannable NFC tags that activate a smartphone voice narration app for visually impaired students or community members. The app will read the body of text or menus aloud, making everyday experiences similar for visually impaired and sighted people.
Team member: Grace Blackburn
Project - Cyber Patriot
Cyber Security addresses digital threats by identifying, combating, resolving, or preventing system damage. In addition, the JC Cyber Security team spreads awareness about staying safe online and competes in the CyberPatriot National Competition.
Team member: David Wallach
Digital Project Online Submission (DPOJ)
Original Photo: Lakin Salyers
Digital Project Online Submission (DPOJ)
Digital Art: Mackenzie Bevins
