Copeland Manor Exploration Day

Make your own home-brewed root beer, take apart a cell phone, break a board in half, learn magic, design your own kite, dissect a fish, play non-contact rugby or watch tight rope walking during Copeland Manor School's Exploration Day.

Copeland Manor students dedicated May 9 to learning about careers, crafts, hobbies and sports skills when the Libertyville school held its eighth Exploration Day.

The day began at 8:30 a.m. with an Opening Ceremony featuring Supt. Dr. Guy Schumacher and Copeland Manor Principal Lori Poelking, along with Blue Sky Yoga demonstrating kickboxing with student participation - all carrying the theme "What Can You Explore?"

During the day, students attended four classes where they may be taught anything from cricket to making a mosaic art piece, to learning about American Indian culture today to yoga stretches, to learning about fencing to baking bread, to learning about styling your hair to rules of the road for cycling, to making cartoons to making framed embossed aluminum designs, to calligraphy to writing books and acting on stage.

"This unique event offers students the opportunity to participate in novel and interactive presentations," said parent and event coordinator Angela Eads. "More than 30 community members, vendors and skilled parents share a wide variety of careers, hobbies and special interests."

"Exploration Day encourages students to learn about various interests," said Principal Lori Poelking. "The success of this event takes a community committed to the education of their children."

The parent-run event, the largest of its kind in the district, is an easy sell to students."When choosing their classes, students are encouraged to explore a unique interest or to learn about something completely new," Eads said. "This is a fun and empowering opportunity for the kids. Our presenters, then, have the advantage of working with motivated, interested students. These presenters' donate generous amounts of time, supplies and expertise. Without them, this event would not be possible. "