After-School Programs

A Blast from the Past – Students work with peers in small groups to create web pages, display boards, performances, and compositions related to historical events/people. Teams of students present their project at a local competition and have the opportunity to go on to regional and national competitions. They also explore careers related to the area of history. Research, literacy, team work, problem solving are skills that are honed in this club.

Solar Car – Teams of students create model solar cars, culminating in a race in April. The program focuses on math, science and technology. Grand prize winners receive a trophy, gift certificate to "Discover" and are featured in a local newspaper story. View Pictures of the Solar Car Competition...

Web Club – Students receive training in website development, digital design, digital photography, interviewing skills and writing.  Students create a CD and their own personal web site, and they interview information technology professionals in the community.

Outdoor Adventure – Students meet once per week and also on two Saturdays to focus on environmental issues and how they relate to students' lives. Students hike, climb ropes, learn how to survive in the wild, and explore careers related to the environment, sports and physical education. Literacy, team work, health sciences, environmental sciences are all skills acquired in the club.

Reel to Reel – Students work in teams to create digital video documentaries. They learn how to create a story board and interview people, use a digital camcorder and create a CD. They tour TV stations and have speakers come in a talk about careers in communication and technology fields. 

Evening Program for Students and Parents

Pizza and Pages – Parents and students attend weekly evening sessions to discuss selected books. Dinner and baby sitting are provided. Participants keep the books at the end of the program. 

During-School Programs 

Pens on Paper – This creative writing program is offered to both 7th & 8th grade students and provides innovative writing tools to 150 students to encourage literacy. Success in the program is measured by satisfaction surveys by students as well as through pre/post tests. Speakers are brought in to talk to the students about careers in writing.

Seminar for Advanced Students – Talented and Gifted (TAG) students are invited to participate in competitions in order to motivate them to continue to take advanced course work.  The students have an opportunity to compete in Mock Trial, Future Problem and History Day. 

Attendance Incentive – Students who have more than five excused absences per quarter are invited to compete in the program.  If they improve their attendance, they are eligible to receive incentives.  They will be encouraged to actively participate in the career fair. 

Summer Program

A Week in Their Shoes – One-week camp – Each day of camp students hop on a bus to tour a variety of local college campuses and businesses. They explore careers in health and human services, technology, education, communication, and talk with college representatives about how to prepare for college while in high school and the ins and outs of financial aid. They also visit dormitories and classrooms while on campus.

Drama Camp – Thirteen-day camp - Students learn about various careers associated with theater.  They sew costumes, operate stage equipment, tour community theaters, talk with actors, stage hands and managers, try out for a play and then actually produce the play.

Readin Rocks – This program is offered once a week throughout the summer. It is designed for incoming 6th grade students as well as current 7th and 8th grade Wilson students. Students read books related to careers and other topics, and the program culminates in a contest for students who read the most books.

Leadership Academy – This four-day residential camp is held on the campus of the Iowa School for the Deaf. The camp’s focus is on team building, service learning, journaling, problem solving, career awareness and communication skills.

Other Programs

TeamMates - The Talent Search program sponsors and supports a portion of the TeamMates mentoring program at Wilson.  More than 40 mentors were paired with Wilson students during the 2007-08 school year and plans are in place to expand the program district-wide.

Career Fair - Talent Search sponsored the first annual Wilson career fair.  The fair was designed for all 8th graders so that they could explore careers related to their areas of interest as identified by the Choices career guidance assessment. 
 
Peer-to-Peer Helpers – Seventh-grade Wilson students are selected to attend a spring leadership camp to prepare them for fall activities such as:

• Tutoring students who are falling behind academically

• Baby sitting for teacher’s children at parent/teacher conferences

• Greeting and conducting tours for visitors to the school

• Setting up tables/chairs and hanging signs for the Career Fair

For more information about the Talent Search program at Wilson, contact:

Nadine Baker
AIM Grants Manager
(402)345-5025 ext. 104    
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