Science Teacher Tom Warburton provided a unique opportunity for his students to research and debate the origin of life. Mr. Warburton describes how the students prepared for their roles: "The Creation team concentrated on God as a Creator and Biblical truth, while discussing the creation theories and design evidences within Science.  The Evolution team explained the concepts relating to biological evolution to include secular ideas and evidences for mutation-selection as a mechanism for evolving of species over time."

"Students were divided into teams and then sub-groups of multiple speakers and researchers.  These roles allow students the opportunity to use their individual strengths in preparation and execution of the assignment.  During the event, the speaker communicates the information with prepared summarized speeches, which then opens up into opposing team rebuttal and individual challenge periods, exchanged among sides. Researchers take the lead on collecting information and assisting the speaker in preparation prior to and during the debate. During the event both speakers and researchers are required to provide position knowledge while engaging in rebuttal, and conveying their thoughts and ideas related to the active discussions."

Mr. Warburton says this combination of research and discussion provides students with a forum to sharpen preparation, communication skills, and demonstrate critical thinking and reasoning through application, analysis, synthesis and judgment regarding their knowledge on the topic.

It was a powerful lesson according to 9th grader JP Biggerstaff, " I learned about persuasive speaking and the preparation required to do so. The experience was very valuable because it provided me with insight into the realm of public and persuasive speaking."

Fellow 9th grader Ella Campbell believes this particular assignment not only improved her debate skills, but it strengthened her faith as well. "It was great doing the debate! I enjoyed doing research and I feel the whole experience helped me to grow closer to Him. In my opinion, everyone should know how to defend their faith and this allowed me and my fellow classmates to do just that."

Two PCA Seniors, Corbett Ciali and Tanner Tappan, have their sights set on careers in the medical field. Instead of focusing solely on what major to select to best prepare them for applying to medical school, they have decided to be proactive by enrolling in an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) course at the College of Charleston. Doing so will give each young man medical experience while each determines if God is leading him in that direction. They will also have the ability to be active, Christian witnesses in an arena where many need a kind word and a Godly example.

 

Here is what Tanner and Corbett have to say about the experience:  

Why are you taking the course?

 

Tanner:  "It will allow me to practice basic life-saving techniques and allow me to get further exposure into the medical field before pursuing that in college."

 

Corbett: "I was first drawn to the class because I have always been interested in pursuing a career in the medical field. My dad has worked in the EMS system over 25 years and he is the one who introduced me to the idea of taking the class."

 

What are your plans after completing the course?

 

Tanner: "I have intended on studying medicine [from] a very young age and more specifically have had an interest in trauma surgery for the last few years. Working as a basic will give me hands-on, applicable knowledge and experience that, hopefully, will be applied to medical school and perhaps my position as a trauma surgeon some day. It will also allow me to get a job with an ambulatory service this summer which pays great in comparison to other jobs hiring 18 year olds!"

 

Corbett: "I decided to enroll in the class because I figured there was no better way to gain experience in the medical field than by working in the field this summer. I do not plan on pursuing this as a career but I am planning on working part time for either Charleston County or a private ambulance service this summer. All-in-all, the class has been a very interesting experience that has taken me out of my comfort zone and I am very excited for the opportunities it will give me in the future."

 

Good work gentlemen! We are proud of you for thinking outside the box in preparing for your future. May you both look to God for guidance and may He continue to lead each of you down His perfect path.

 

Each year, students tour three different kinds of colleges - a smaller liberal arts college (Wofford), a large state university (Clemson), and a Christian college (Anderson) - with the goal of finding the best fit for each student. Real treats this year were meeting Mr. Zubia's daughter Stephanie, who works in Anderson's Admissions Office, and enjoying PCA Graduate Micah Christman as our Anderson tour guide. Micah told our students that her first step on Anderson's campus was on this very tour when she was in 11th grade. She said, "Touring the three different types of campuses made me realize that a big university was not for me.  So I came back to Wofford, Furman, and Anderson.  I did private tours on my own and toured academic departments.  After coming back to Anderson three times, I decided this was the college for me."  That is our hope for all of our students - that this trip helps them make informed decisions about the next step in their educations.

Thanks to everyone who came out to participate in PCA Day with the Stingrays! It was a great afternoon with Palmetto Christian Academy featured throughout the game. It all started with an incredible quartet of PCA students singing the national anthem. Watch the video below to hear Sam Biggerstaff, Halle Crandall, Ethan McGaha and Anissa Watson's incredible performance! (Wish the video quality was better, but the sound is fantastic.) A special thank you to High School Choir Director Alysia Lambert for preparing the students for this exciting opportunity. 

Immediately following the national anthem, Todd and Catherine Ussery, along with their children, Parker and Wilson, did the honors of a ceremonial puck drop commemorating Palmetto Christian Academy's 25th Anniversary. Then, a few of our middle school students even got involved with a tricycle race across the ice during intermission. Unfortunately the Everblades came back to beat the Stingrays 4-3. But it sure was a fun day with our PCA families! 

PCA students perform at South Carolina Stingrays game

I have never been so enthralled by history than on a history tour with third graders. The enthusiasm was contagious. Mrs.  Bahadur's and Ms. Jones' classes joined together at Washington Park to take part in a scavenger hunt around the Charleston historic district. 

The first clue led us to what remains of Ryan's Mart, the most popular showroom in Charleston, a hub for reselling slaves. Slaves were sold for up to $40,000 in today's money.  Transatlantic slave trade was outlawed in 1808 but smuggling still happened until the civil war. We learned that slaves were originally brought by boat, train or foot. They were primed here at The Old Slave Mart to increase their value. At one point there were more slaves in Charleston than free people! The people bought and sold downtown were born in America but were the children and grandchildren of captured Africans known as domestic slave trade.  The still standing outside walls displayed eerie, persisting thumb and fingerprints of the slaves that hand-installed each brick.

With additional clue cards and landmarks in between stops we learned even more history as we walked to the Nathaniel Russell House for a guided tour. Arriving at the house built by wealthy shipping merchant Nathaniel Russell in 1808, the students voiced surprise in wondering why they weren't walking into cobwebs and dust since the building was so old? They were told the reason it is in amazing shape is because it has always been occupied. As well as being personal residences through the years, it even once functioned as a convent and school run by nuns. 

After a tour of the inside of the house, the students explored the gardens and courtyard where they had hands on time mastering the skills of kids games played in years past. The boys played ball and cup. The girls tried playing the game of graces which was a young ladies game to teach hand eye coordination and balance. 

The final stop we visited was The Powder Magazine or Museum built in 1717 as a storage house for 5 tons of gun powder! Built with a very thin ceiling that stored sand in case of an accidental explosion the sand might help dampen it. Worried about the Spanish attacking and possible pirates pouncing, the Powder Magazine was built to store and supply the able people to help them defend themselves during the American Revolutionary War. 

After stockpiling all that educational history into our heads everyone worked up an appetite. We spread out our picnic blankets on the lawn of The Powder Magazine and ate our lunches as we compared notes on the answers to the scavenger hunt questions. A+ for all!

The team's next game is Friday, March 17th at Northwood Academy starting at 6:45 pm.