Like the students participating, as EdCom Expo grows, it also changes.
Organizers Nancy and Dick Rooker said the 2008 EdCom Expo will have many new features this year. It also will be the biggest it's ever been.
"We have the most number of projects we've ever had, the most number of students participating," said Dick.
Nancy said 900 students will be participating with "a lot of projects." Middle school students make up about 160 of the participating students, the most middle school students ever. Dick said there will be different types of stuff this year that EdCom hasn't had in the past in addition to the normal presentations.The eighth annual EdCom is scheduled for 8:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. March 29 at Warsaw Community High School.
EdCom started in 2001 in the Edgewood Middle School gym with 200 Warsaw students participating. After the second year of EdCom, it moved to the high school. It is a celebration of students' learning over the past school year.
EdCom starts in the Tiger Den with an opening ceremony, much like that of the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. Students will march in with their schools, holding up their schools flags.
After the students are seated, Warsaw Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Haworth will give a short speech, followed by the opening video. Students then will be released to give their half-hour presentations.
Dick said some of the new activities at EdCom this year will be browsable exhibits.
"It's a very different mix this year," he said. "About 50 percent browsable, 50 percent presentations."
Students will have their "booths" set up, said Nancy, and spectators can walk up and talk to the students about their projects.
In the WCHS Performing Arts Center Black Box Theatre, Dick said a "wax museum" will come to life. Nancy said students will introduce themselves as the people they represent and give a short talk about the person. Spectators will be able to ask questions to the "wax figures." There will be two groups in the museum, Nancy said, including famous Hoosiers and famous people.
Art and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America projects will be on display, as well as science fair projects, Lego® Robotics, geometry projects and the English fair. Washington Elementary School sixth-graders will have the Web sites they created up for people to browse. The focus of the Web sites is on famous authors.
For entertainment, WCHS students will give short performances in the auditorium.
Dick said EdCom this year is a real festival.
There also will be a giveaway of books geared toward younger children. Other prizes, such as movie passes and coupons for free coffee, also will be raffled off. Dick said more than $400 in prizes will be awarded, but you must be present to win.
Nancy said they hope to have the Remnant Trust at EdCom. The Remnant Trust is a collection of historic documents and copies of historic documents that people can look at closely.
This year, there will be no awards ceremony at the end of EdCom. Awards will be given at students' schools the following school day. There also will be no swim party.
However, Dick said they encourage people to stay the full morning and check out the various presentations, fairs and exhibits.
"We have a huge variety," said Nancy of the EdCom experience planned for this year. "I think we have something for everyone."
For more information, visit online at www.warsaw.k12.in.us/edcom or e-mail edcom@warsaw.k12.in.us
