Distinctive Tutors

Kick Off the season with a local Pro: LaDainian Tomlinson’s Camp LT

Haley — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 01:03:26 +0000

LaDainian Tomlinson, graduate of University High School and current NFL player, will hold Camp LT in Waco June 30th through July 3rd. Waco ISD Sport Complex will hold this year’s football camp. Youngsters in grade school through high school are welcome to attend this intensive camp. More than practicing and learning from the 2006 NFL Most Valuable Player, students will hone in on self-discipline, teamwork and leadership skills. Camp LT is in its ninth year and plans to continue for years to come. Personal coaching from a local NFL football player is a wonderful opportunity and great way to kick off the upcoming football season.

Independence Day Flares: July 4th Celebration

Haley — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:24:50 +0000

Waco will celebrate Independence Day with a free fireworks display on
the Brazos River at Indian Springs Park. Festivities and live music will be
held throughout the evening beginning at 6 pm. Come prepared for this family
friendly event with a cooler of your favorite refreshments and snacks for the
kids. Make sure to bring a blanket or chairs to watch the grand firework
display sponsored by H.E.B. Oh and don’t forget the camera. You won’t want to
miss priceless pics under the fire lit sky.

Take Flight

Haley — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 23:58:10 +0000

Would you or your child enjoy and exhilarating, breathtaking summer activity? Waco Flying Service has just the right opportunity for you! Go fly with these highly trained professional and have the experience of a lifetime. This could be the best activity you did over the summer and who doesn’t want to have the coolest summer story when they go back to school. So step it up and try out the introductory flights at Waco Flying Service for only $49.99. These introductory flights will give you a sampling of what it’s like to fly and work the controls of a Cessna 127 SP. Contact Waco Flying Service 254-752-4100 or flightschool@wacoflyingservice.com. You will be soaring to new heights soon!

Techy Teen Summer Camps at MCC

Haley — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 20:14:58 +0000

Have teens ages 14-17 who are have a high skill in science and technology? What ARE they going to do this summer? They may be interested in science experiences they may not get anywhere else….right here on MCC campus.
Check these out. All ‘camps’ are 4 days – Mondays – Thursdays, 1:00-5:00 pm (one is from 8:00am to noon), and only in the month of June….leaves time for having a ‘summer’!
The camps are all being taught by MCC instructors and/or employees – and they are excited about it!
Check out these 5, exciting ‘camps’ in June for 14-17 year olds.
• The ½ day camps are designed to foster enthusiasm in science, technology, engineering, and math (S.T.E.M.) for students who have already exhibited a propensity, capability, and career interest direction in these areas.
• MCC college instructors and assistants are teaching or facilitating these camps.
• Enrollment is limited to 15 students each – so register for your spot today!
• Registrations must include application downloaded from http://www.mclennan.edu/kids/teen/
• Students will leave each camp with books or materials for future reference and use.

Camp Descriptions

Mars or Bust
June 13-16 1-5 pm $99
Students will address the real-world challenges faced by our nation’s top scientists, engineers, sociologists, politicians, and other specialists: How can a nation colonize another planet? By exploring and debating issues ranging from rocket propulsion methods to sustaining food and living supplies in an interdisciplinary think-tank, this setting is sure to challenge the most technical guru and inspire the most fantastical dreamer. Take home a book on Mars and lots to think about for the future.

In My Backyard – Industry Field Trips
June 20-23 8 am-noon $115
Students visit large area industry facilities to see what they do - how they use science, technology, engineering, and math to make money for their companies. Discover different careers and educational and experience required to pursue in these types of industries.

Making Stuff Work
June 20-23 1-5 pm $189
This camp is a perfect blend of formal engineering study and hands-on application. Students will get practical exposure to chemistry (using a mass spectrometer), programming (sending ‘secret’ messages and designing fractals), electronics and circuits (designing a working digital thermometer and more), and solid modeling with the “Thing-o-matic MakerBot” (creating objects using a 3-D printer).

Medical Marvels & Mysteries
June 27-30 1-5 pm $79
Learn about the most curious medical marvels that science has to offer. Find out about rare medical conditions, the marvelous machine that is our brain, virulent viruses, and lots more. Each four hour session focuses on related topics, to be determined by instructor, and adjustments made for time and student interest. Take home a book on Medical Marvels & Mysteries….Weird? Gross? But real and cool – Real Cool!

Amateur CSI – Forensics
June 27-30 1 -5 pm $159
Instructors and students solve a true-to-live crime – “The Missy Hammond” missing person case during the week. Students are introduced to the science of fighting crime with forensics, including the science behind criminal investigative techniques. Includes tire tread and footprint casting, crime scene evidence gathering, and forensic art of facial reconstruction. In each four hour session, students learn a new forensics technique and come closer to a solution of mock crime cases. Students each take home a forensics ‘kit’.
Teen Camp Wrap-Up
June 30 6 – 8:30 pm Free
Parents / Guardians, students, and instructors gather together at the end of a spectacular week of learning to see and learn more about the outcomes of each camp. Refreshments provided.

ALSO AVAILABLE FOR TEENS AGES 13-17:
Dining & Dating Etiquette June 27-30 11:30am -1pm $79
Are you comfortable “meeting the parents”? Do you know who walks down the aisle first at the movie
theater? What about lunch or dinner? Who pays? How should you tip? Do you have confidence at the dinner table to know which fork to use? How to use a bread plate? All these questions and more will be answered in this fast-paced, informative class. Your “hostess” is Mrs. Marie Martin, president of The Etiquette School of Central Texas, a Certified Etiquette Consultant and trained at the American School of Protocol. She trains top-level executives and children in various settings and can give her students the confidence and social skills they need for success. For ages 13-17. (Students should plan to eat before or after class, since the classes are about table etiquette and do not include full meals).

Download application from website http://www.mclennan.edu/kids/teen/

Call 299-8888 for more information.

Finding Local Scholarships

April Andreas — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 04:50:08 +0000

Undoubtedly one of the most elusive scholarship routes to follow is that of the Local Scholarship. We hear about these sacred beasts in the media, shadowy creatures that offer unspoken promises of an affordable education.

The biggest challenge in researching these scholarships is that it’s not usually an exercise in just spending a few hours on Google. Many of the scholarships don’t have dedicated web pages, and instead are advertised in print material that is sent directly to a small group of people.

That said, many scholarships will send information to local high schools, and these “Master Lists” can be a great resource. To find this information, Google phrases like Midway ISD Scholarships or Lorena ISD Scholarships. This will direct you to counselor’s pages that will be continually adding new scholarships. You definitely do not want to limit your search to your child’s school district. Many scholarships are available to all central Texas students, regardless of high school.

The best resource in looking for local scholarships is to look to your family. For parents, this means to start by making a list of everyone that your child is related to: aunts, uncles, grandparents, and other extended family. Look at your list. What groups do these people belong to that might offer some kind of scholarship? Think banks, credit unions, electric co-ops, employers, and alumni and professional organizations. Rocket Federal Credit Union and Heart of Texas Electric Co-op, for example, have historically offered scholarships to children and grandchildren of their members.

Once you’ve identified some options, have your child start calling those people on your list. Have him or her talk about the school they want to go to, what they want to study, and why they think it is so important to get an education. Then have your child ask that relative to keep an eye out for scholarship announcements. Be sure and give each relative examples where these announcements might show up, which you’ve brainstormed in advance.

Having your child directly make these calls is an important part of this process, for the primary reason that young adults are unparalleled in enthusiasm. Relatives will be moved by your child’s excitement for going to college and are much more likely to actively keep an eye out if they have spoken to your child directly.

One more avenue to explore is related to your child’s primary area of study. If your child is interested in agriculture, for example, scholarships are available through the Heart of Texas Fairgrounds. Nursing students should consider the Lubie Moss Nursing Scholarship. Look for local professional associations whose goals align with your child’s interests, and see what opportunities they may provide.

As you put together your list of options, note that scholarships tend to be offered annually. Scholarships awarded last year will probably be offered again this year. Keep an eye out, get your family involved and your child engaged. We are very fortunate in central Texas to have such supportive business and social communities dedicated to our children’s education. Enjoy your search!

Book Scholarships Available for Part-Time MCC Students

April Andreas — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:17:12 +0000

A new scholarship has been announced that is specifically available for part-time students at McLennan Community College. The scholarship will help pay for up to $500 for books each semester and is the first and only source of scholarship funds for part time students at MCC. Students must be enrolled in 6 to 11 credit hours (or 6 to 9 hours for nursing students), be enrolled in a degree or certificate program, have a GPA of at least 2.5, and demonstrate financial need. Recipients will need to attend a financial literacy class before they can access the funds.

Applications will be accepted through July 31 and will be announced before August 24. Applications are available at http://www.mclennan.edu/departments/foundation/schol.html. A hard copy of the application must be received in the MCC financial aid office by 6 pm on July 31.
The book scholarship program is funded through a $100,000 grant from Round Rock-based TG Public Benefit Program and will be in place through summer 2010. For more information, contact the MCC Foundation at 254-299-8604.

Zoobilee and KidZoobilee

April Andreas — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 23:48:43 +0000

On Friday, June 26, Cameron Park Zoo will be hosting a Zoobilee to celebrate the opening of the new Asian Forest Orangutan and Komodo Dragon Habitat. The Patron Party begins at 6 pm until 8 pm with Zoobilee beginning at 8 pm until midnight. Patron guests will get a special sneak preview of the new exhibits. Enjoy fantastic food and drinks from and dance under the stars to the music of The Piano Man. Silent Auction bidding 8 pm to 10:30 pm. For more information call (254) 750-8415, or click here to purchase Zoobilee tickets.

On Saturday, June 27, Cameron Park Zoo will be hosting a kid’s version of the previous evening’s festivities. KidZoobilee begins at 6 pm and runs until 8 pm. Guests will get a special sneak preview of the new exhibits, and enjoy great food, games, face painting, water games, a rock climbing wall, and more. All children will receive party favors, an animal hat and t-shirt. KidZoobilee is designed for children 2 yrs. to 12 yrs. All children must be accompanied by a paying adult. For more information call (254) 750-8415 or click here to purchase KidZoobilee Tickets.

Celebrate the 4th of July at the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm

April Andreas — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 23:45:29 +0000

This July 4 from 10 am to 3 pm, the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historical Site (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lyndon_b_johnson/) invites families to take part in “Fourth of July in the 1900s.” Celebrate our nation’s birthday as a German family and their friends would have done in the early 1900s, by taking part in activities such as horseshoe, washer pitching, stick-horse races and other games. The historical farm houses and buildings will be open to tour with people dressed in period clothing. For more information, call (830) 644-2252.

Central Texas Astronomical Society Offers Star Parties

April Andreas — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 15:27:44 +0000

The Central Texas Astronomical Society offers public stargazing monthly at the Waco Wetlands. Bring the family and see the skies over Central Texas! You can come as you are, or bring a lawn chair and a snack. If you have binoculars or a telescope, feel free to bring them as well. CTAS members will have telescopes and binoculars to highlight your tour of the night sky. The evening starts with an indoor program followed by outdoor viewing when the sky is clear.

Monthly Star Parties are at the Waco Wetlands (”WW”) at 1752 Eichelberger Crossing Road.

Directions: From Interstate 35 take the Exit 330 and proceed west (toward Meridian) on Hwy. 6/Loop 340. Continue for approximately ten miles to the intersection of Hwy 6 & FM 185. Turn right on FM 185 and continue 0.6 miles then turn left on Eichelberger Crossing Road. The Lake Waco Wetlands Research and Education Center will be 1.6 miles on your right at 1752 Eichelberger Crossing Road.

CTAS also visits classrooms to talk with school children about astronomy.

For more information about star parties, or to learn about how to invite CTAS to your child’s classroom, contact Paul Derrick at (254) 753-6920 or (254) 723-6346, or email Paul at paulderrickwaco@aol.com. The CTAS website is at http://www.centexastronomy.org/.

Upcoming Star Parties

Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Saturday, July 11, 2009 at 8:30 pm

Mayborn Events for June

April Andreas — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:59:07 +0000

Sunday, June 7: Free Sunday sponsored by Lipsitz Family Foundation

In conjunction with the Leonardo da Vinci Machines in Motion, special events will be planned on Thursdays throughout the month of June. Learn more about Leonardo, his machines, and his interpretation of the world around him.

Thursday, June 11: da Vinci Day - Machines in Motion
Thursday, June 18: da Vinci Day – Water: Leonardo da Vinci called water “the vehicle of nature.” Come explore the amazing properties of water, engage in exciting experiments and enjoy a cool break from the summer’s heat!
Thursday, June 25: da Vinci Day – Flight: Discover more about flight and explore the marvelous world of Leonardo’s flying machines.