White Pine's STEM Portfolio

Last week, a group of our White Pine students had the exciting opportunity to attend Bengal STEM Day at Idaho State University ! This hands-on event brought together young minds from across the region to explore the fascinating world of science, technology, engineering, and math through interactive activities, experiments, and demonstrations. From building circuits to coding challenges , and even testing engineering designs , our students engaged in real-world problem-solving while connecting with ISU faculty and STEM professionals. The experience gave them a glimpse into future careers and the impact of STEM in everyday life. A huge thank you to ISU for hosting this amazing event and inspiring the next generation of innovators! We can’t wait to take what we learned back to our classrooms and continue exploring the power of STEM.

Last month, our talented students traveled to Boise to compete in the Future City Competition , showcasing their innovative ideas and engineering skills alongside teams from across the state. We are so proud of all our students for their hard work, creativity, and dedication to designing cities of the future! A special congratulations to Ilu Omni , who won the Special Award for Best Teamwork and Communication , and to Octo City , who placed 4th in the entire state!  Their efforts in problem-solving, collaboration, and futuristic design truly stood out. This competition was an incredible opportunity for our students to think critically about sustainability, infrastructure, and community planning—skills that will help shape the world of tomorrow. Thank you to our mentors, teachers, and families for supporting these young innovators!

This week, our 4th and 5th grade students had an exciting opportunity to participate in STEM with a Friend in our brand-new MakerSpace! With the guidance of the EcosySTEM Ambassadors , students explored how engineers think outside the box to solve real-world problems—specifically, how to bring light into dark buildings to help communities in need. Through hands-on challenges and teamwork, our young innovators experimented with creative solutions, developing a deeper understanding of how science, technology, engineering, and math can make a difference in the world. A huge thank you to the EcosySTEM Ambassadors for leading this engaging experience and to the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for their generous grant that made it all possible! We are so excited to continue fostering curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving in our MakerSpace!

We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of White Pine’s very own MakerSpace —a hands-on, creative hub where students can explore, build, and innovate! This new space is designed to spark curiosity and encourage problem-solving through STEM activities, engineering challenges, coding, robotics, and more. From crafting and tinkering to experimenting with circuits and 3D printing, our MakerSpace gives students the opportunity to bring their ideas to life. Whether they’re designing solutions to real-world problems or simply exploring their creativity, this is a place where learning happens through doing. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this dream a reality, especially Mrs. Heather Smith! She put in countless hours to clean it up, organize it, and make it ready for use. We can’t wait to see what our students create, discover, and invent in this exciting new space. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming MakerSpace projects and activities!

This past weekend, our White Pine MathCounts team traveled to Pocatello to put their problem-solving skills to the test against some of the best young mathematicians in the region. While we didn’t bring home any trophies, our students tackled challenging problems with determination, teamwork, and Cougar spirit! From fast-paced sprint rounds to intense team challenges, our students showed grit, perseverance, and a love for math that makes us so proud. They represented White Pine with excellence, supporting one another and growing their skills along the way. Great job to our MathCounts competitors—you make us proud! 🎉👏 Keep up the hard work, and we can’t wait to see what you accomplish next!

Our first-graders at White Pine Charter Schools have been busy combining creativity and compassion in an amazing project! These young innovators made fifteen oh-so-adorable blankets for pediatric patients, and we couldn’t be more proud of their efforts. 🧡🌟🎓 What makes this project even more special is that our students used the engineering design process , or what we call the White Pine Design for Success , to ensure their blankets were just right. From determining the correct size to maximizing comfort, these first-graders carefully planned and executed their designs, showcasing impressive problem-solving skills for such young learners. Their dedication and thoughtfulness will bring warmth and comfort to children in need, and we are incredibly grateful for their support. This project is a beautiful example of how education can foster not only knowledge but also empathy and community involvement. A huge thank you to our amazing first-graders, their teachers, and everyone who hel...

We were excited to welcome Quinton Smith , an Idaho State University student and proud White Pine alum , back to campus today! Quinton spent time speaking with Mrs. Hall’s Computer Science class , sharing his journey from White Pine to ISU and offering valuable insights into the world of computer science. 🖥️💻 Quinton's visit provided students with a firsthand look at the opportunities that lie ahead in the field of technology. He discussed his experiences as a college student, the challenges and rewards of studying computer science, and how his time at White Pine prepared him for success in higher education. Students were inspired by Quinton’s story, engaging in thoughtful discussions and asking questions about the path to pursuing a career in technology. His visit served as a powerful reminder that with dedication and passion, our students can achieve great things. A big thank you to Quinton Smith for taking the time to give back to his alma mater and to Mrs. Hall for creatin...

We are thrilled to share that Mrs. Kaufman and her talented engineering students recently had the opportunity to attend a lunch and tour of the CEI Energy Systems Program , an event proudly sponsored by the National Society of Mechanical Engineers !  This incredible experience provided students with a firsthand look at cutting-edge energy systems and innovative engineering practices. The tour offered valuable insights into the real-world applications of their classroom learning, inspiring the next generation of engineers to think creatively and critically about the future of energy. Students also had the chance to engage with industry professionals, ask questions, and explore potential career paths in the field of mechanical and energy engineering. The lunch provided a perfect setting for networking and fostering connections that could shape their educational and professional journeys. A huge thank you to the National Society of Mechanical Engineers for sponsoring this enrichi...

We are excited to share a monumental moment in the history of White Pine Charter Schools ! Our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was a huge success, bringing together our amazing community to celebrate growth, progress, and the bright future ahead. The event was attended by the Chamber of Commerce , our dedicated Parent Faculty Association (PFA) , and the incredible White Pine faculty and staff . Their presence made the day even more special, highlighting the strong partnerships and support that help make our school a thriving place for students to learn and grow. The ceremony marked not just the opening of new opportunities, but also a reaffirmation of our commitment to providing the best educational experience for our students. With heartfelt speeches, cheers, and, of course, the ceremonial ribbon cutting, the event was filled with excitement and pride. A huge thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to this special day. Your support continues to drive our mission forward, and we a...

We are thrilled to share some exciting news— White Pine Charter Schools have been honored with multiple awards in the Post Register's Readers' Choice Awards ! 🎉🌟 Thanks to our incredible community, we have been voted the best in several categories: 🏫 Best School 🎨 Best Afterschool Program 💼 Best Place to Work 🌟 Best Boss - Alysa Trust 🖋️ Best Administrative Assistant - Julianne Humpherys A huge THANK YOU to our White Pine family for your unwavering support and for recognizing our commitment to excellence. These awards are a testament to the dedication of our amazing staff , the enthusiasm of our students , and the partnership we share with our supportive families . We are immensely proud of the community we’ve built together. Your recognition fuels our passion to continue providing the best education and nurturing environment for our students. Here's to even more success and growth ahead—we couldn't have done it without you! 🥳👏

We are beyond excited to celebrate the incredible achievements of our SeaPerch team , who have been making waves both regionally and internationally! For the second year in a row , our talented team clinched the regional championship and earned a spot at the International SeaPerch Competition in Maryland last week. While they didn’t bring home the gold, their hard work and determination paid off in a big way—our team secured an impressive 23rd place out of 71 teams from around the world! 🎉👊 We are super proud of their dedication, teamwork, and innovative spirit. Participating in the international competition was not just about rankings; it was an excellent learning experience filled with challenges, growth, and a whole lot of fun! Congratulations to our amazing SeaPerch team for representing our school and community with such pride and excellence. We can’t wait to see what you achieve next! Go Team! 🌊🌟

  We are thrilled to share some exciting news with our school community— Mrs. Rachelle Paxman has been named the Idaho Afterschool Champion for 2024 ! 🎉✨ Mrs. Paxman’s dedication to supporting and enriching the lives of young learners is nothing short of inspiring. Her passion for education and unwavering commitment to afterschool programs have made a remarkable difference, not only within our school but throughout the entire community. From fostering a safe and engaging environment for students to explore their interests, to creating opportunities that spark curiosity and growth, Mrs. Paxman’s work is a shining example of what it means to go above and beyond for our youth. Her impact is immeasurable , and this recognition is well-deserved. We are incredibly proud to have such a passionate and driven educator in our midst. Congratulations, Rachelle! Keep shining bright and inspiring those around you. Your contributions are making the world a better place, one student at a time! ...

 There’s nothing more exciting than watching student innovation unfold, especially when it’s fueled by the support of dedicated educators and organizations. Last week, ISEE STEM had the privilege of seeing one of its sponsored projects come to life at the Eastern Idaho Regional Science Fair in Idaho Falls! While not affiliated with the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, this regional event was a testament to the power of collaboration and scientific curiosity. Regional Hub Coordinator Ashley Schaffner attended and witnessed firsthand the incredible projects that students from around Idaho Falls had been working on. It was inspiring to see young scientists come together to share their research with STEM experts and industry partners from across Eastern Idaho. A huge shoutout goes to the phenomenal educators who made this event possible: 🌟 Barbara Nelson at Hillcrest High School 🌟 Alaysha Whitworth at American Heritage Charter School 🌟 Heather Smith at Wh...