Homeschool group headed to national stage
Made up of 15 students in sixth through ninth grades, the team has earned the honor of representing Tennessee after a standout performance at the state tournament held at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, on Saturday, April 18.
Competing against 19 teams from across the state, the “Cedar Springs team didn’t just win, they finished more than 25 points ahead of the next closest team, a sizable margin in a competition where top results are often separated by only a few points,” a press release stated. “It also marks the team’s third consecutive first-place finish.”
Lauren Crause, one of the teammate’s mothers said many of the students call Farragut home.
“Their success reflects months of preparation across 23 different science and engineering events,” she said. “Working in pairs or trios, they tackle topics ranging from Earth sciences, like meteorology and geology, to anatomy, chemistry and mechanical design.
“This year, Cedar Springs students took first place in seven events: Disease Detectives, Dynamic Planet, Heredity, Machines, Meteorology, Remote Sensing and Water Quality,” Krause said. “They also earned second-place finishes in Anatomy & Physiology, Boomilever (an engineering event), Entomology and Potions & Poisons.”
Behind the results is a grassroots effort.
“Without a traditional school building, our team practices wherever space is available — empty Sunday school classrooms, church gyms, ballfields and even home kitchens,” Krause said. “The program is entirely parent-led, with families volunteering their time to coach and support students in everything from lab work to building intricate devices, like helicopters and a Boomilever, a cantilevered truss structure.
“We even have parents of former competitors continue to lead the group year after year, long after their own children have aged out, simply because they believe in what the program offers,” Krause said.
“That hands-on approach comes with real costs,” she added. “Each year’s events change, meaning new materials, equipment and supplies are needed to stay competitive. Engineering builds alone can run into the hundreds of dollars per device, not to mention travel, printing and lab supplies.”
To help support the team’s trip to nationals, it is inviting the community to join in a couple of upcoming fundraisers. On Tuesday, May 5, teammates will be at Culver’s on Kingston Pike from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., greeting guests and helping serve meals.
“We would love to meet you there,” Krause said. “Liza Moz Paint-Your-Own Pottery also has two mugs at a special fundraising price, where $10 of every purchase will go to the team. Purchase your mug voucher online at www.lizamoz.com and redeem through July 31.”
For those preferring to contribute directly, the team also has set up an online donation page through Givebutter: https://givebutter.com/CSNATLS26/
