Wisconsin Natural Resource Career Exploration Seminar Speakers

Eagle Eye News Highlighting the musical this year

Our student body journalism Eagle Eye News group did a post musical interview.

Unique Teaching Methods Make Northland Pines Stand Out

In spring of 2014, Channel 7 featured a series titled, "Your Town: Eagle River" in which they highlighted a number of unique teaching methods that makes Northland Pines stand out. Here's the clip:

A Dam Debate

In 1906, San Francisco was struck by a tremendous earthquake. Due to several failures in the water main system supplying the city, fires burned unchecked for three days and over 3000 people lost their lives. The city petitioned the government for permission to construct a dam over 175 miles away on the Tuolumne River and water rights were granted to the city in 1908, but the location of the proposed dam was within the boundaries of Yosemite National Park. If the dam were allowed to be built, the Hetch Hetchy valley - a jewel of this park - would be plunged underwater and lost forever. Thus began a long debate with many interest groups claiming a stake in the proceedings. Photo courtesy Ashley Martin Members of the Wisconsin Natural Resource Exploration class took on the roles of the interest groups and presented their case in a class debate. Their goal was to convince the members of the Congressional Congress (Mrs. Nickel, Mr. Brewer & Mr. Stemper) to vote either for or against the proposed dam in accordance with the wishes of the individual interest groups they represented. Students debating against the dam represented farmers down river of the proposed site, a water company in jeopardy of losing its monopoly in providing water to San Francisco, and the preservationists, led by John Muir. Those for the dam included the Army Corp of Engineers, the city of San Francisco and the conservationists, led by Chief of the US Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot.

After each group had the opportunity to present their case and was questioned by the Congressional Congress, time ran out and the Congress had to vote. The vote was unanimous for the construction of the dam. In this case, the debate mirrored the decision ultimately made in 1913, when, with the signing of the Raker Act, presidential permission was given for construction of the dam which began in 1919. To this day however, a debate over the valley still exists as many would like to see the dam torn down and the Hetch Hetchy valley returned to its original condition.

"Freezin' for a Reason"

On February 27th, students and staff participated in the annual Polar Plunge in Wausau. Money raised at the event benefits Special Olympics Wisconsin and Northern Access Special Olympics. Project UNIFY members and staff raised money through a penny/silver war competition and online fundraising. The total amount raised was just short of $2,000, placing the group in the top 10 at the Wausau location. Students Alex Alfaro and Tori Sleeman joined staff members Stephanie Grassl, DeAnna Kaehler, and Jeff Janssen and myself to brave the cold weather and make the plunge. Once again I'd like to thank family and friends who donated to this cause on my behalf.

So my time this past few months has been dedicated to the play!!! What a success...

Planning for the future...

So we're in the midst of planning classes and opportunities in science for students next year at the high school. The science department got together today and dusted off an old presentation - (it was pretty dusty with pictures of students from their freshman year who graduated 3 years ago!) and gave it a little facelift. Here's the finished product...