Press release
Buckeye Central’s class of 2022 has created a Solar System walk, which is like walking through outer space. You are invited to the Opening Kick-off this Friday, September 9 from 5-7pm before the home football game to experience this walk through outer space for yourself. The Solar System Walk begins on the paved path at the back school parking lot, goes past the GE Community Pavilion before winding through the wooded area behind the school and ending near the football field at Pluto.
Earlier on Friday Buckeye Central classes will be touring this Solar System Walk featuring students from the current 7th grade class serving as tour guides and planetary specialists at each of the 10 stops. Students will be offering full and partial tours along with activities for all ages prior to the football game this Friday. (In the event of rain, the event will be postponed until Friday, September 23.) In addition, students have designed and built a website that will be available for community members to access for self-guided tours at any time.
This project began with about one third of the class of 2022 in Mrs. Steiger’s 5th grade science class during their study of the solar system two years ago. At the time, then Miss Giesige now Mrs. Ferreira, joined her to offer an extension to these students to envision just how vast our solar system is by looking at representatives of our solar system at various places around the United States. Both were surprised when the students approached them with the idea of designing and building their own Solar System Walk on Buckeye Central grounds. So intent were these students that they spent their own time during last period assist throughout their 6th grade year continuing to research and work on this project.
Now as 7th graders, they have asked the entire class along with Mrs. Williamson to help them bring their dream to fruition. “I am so excited for this incredible addition to our outdoor learning lab,” says Mrs. Williamson as she encourages some students in their observations along the path. “Not only will our students be better able to grasp the standards related to our solar system, but so will the community and neighboring school districts as they take advantage of our community outdoor learning lab.”
Working alongside other students and community members in preparation for Friday’s Solar System Walk, these 7th graders have helped clean up the trails in the outdoor learning lab as well as installing the hardware for the plaques they designed for each stop.
Many members of the community have supported and helped these students along their journey. Deputy Martin helped the students finalize the plaque design and donated his time and talent to engrave the plaques. Pete’s Café allowed the students to sponsor a Bake Sale as well as sponsor several of the students during a community wide event last spring and the Showman family through Pifher Trucking helped secure and deliver gravel for around each stop.
“I am looking forward to these students being able to proudly show off their learning, hard work and dedication to this project on Friday,” said Mrs. Ferreira. “This is a project that the entire community will not only have to experience for many years to come, but also something that will serve to draw others to experience our strong school and community.”