What is the Science Olympiad Chemistry Lab?

What is the Science Olympiad Chemistry Lab?Of all the experiences that I have had in the competitive arena of science, the experience of competing in the science Olympiad is hands down the most exciting. Competing with the best and brightest of scientists from around the world is a truly inspiring feeling. Not only do you get to learn about the world of science, but also get a chance to meet many of your childhood heroes.You can have a great experience competing in the chemistry lab and perhaps even one day be called up to the national team. This does not mean that you need to be skilled in the laboratory, in fact it helps if you are not. You simply need to have a basic understanding of how things work. The best way to get started is to look at the local health departments website to see if they offer an education program to get you up to speed.Once you have your degree and you are ready to enter the competitive arena of science, don't be afraid to get out there and take part in comp etitions. The next logical step after getting your science degree is to go to college, or university, and get your graduate degree in science. Now that you have your degree, you will want to start your search for a job.There are many different types of science-related jobs available, so don't be afraid to do a little searching online. If you know you love science, you can always get an internship or a job as a research assistant for a laboratory.You can always go into academia and continue your education by doing research or just getting a teaching degree, but going into the scientific environment is a great way to continue your education and get that feeling of accomplishment. It will help you keep focused on your education and make you a better scientist.So, if you are really interested in becoming a scientist, but you are unsure where to start, then this is the time to go and enter the competitive environment. Do not worry about becoming a professional or looking for a job, this is a great experience that will greatly improve your knowledge and your skills.With the amount of competition and hard work required to be a professional scientist, you can be certain that you will not be disappointed. The atmosphere in the lab can be very exhilarating and will give you that sense of achievement that you need to keep on pushing yourself.

Apps to Keep Students Organized

Apps to Keep Students Organized Learning in the digital age has many advantages, and the plethora of apps out there to support students is a big one. Here are four popular apps that will help your students stay organized and on track with homework, deadlines, grades, and more: Evernote (for taking/organizing notes) Evernote lets students collect their notes (typed and handwritten), articles, websites, and other research in one place. Its great for managing projects, capturing ideas, and staying on top of deadlines and tasks. iStudiez Pro (for keeping track of homework, grades, and the schedule) iStudiez Pro helps students manage their schedule, homework, and grades in one place. Tasks can be sorted by date, class, and priority. The planner helps students organize classes (and all details) and share their detailed schedule with Google Calendar or other calendar apps. RescueTime (for time management) RescueTime is all about minimizing wasted time. It tracks how much time is spent on different websites, social media, email, or in other applications. Then, it provides detailed productivity reports. Students can block distracting websites and set up alerts for when they spend too much time on a website or other activity. Scanner Pro (for de-cluttering/minimizing paper) ScannerPro works with Evernote. Students can quickly scan and save digital versions of any paper document. It uses optical character recognition so students can easily extract words from those scans. So, for the student who loses papers easily or wants to simplify and digitize their life, its a great tool. Obviously, these are just a few optionsthere are many other apps out there that your students might want to use instead. Encourage your students to research apps that will help them keep organized, which will lead to better grades and productivity.

CMS Chief Academic Officer Brian Schultz Joins Heart Math Tutoring Board of Directors - Heart Math Tutoring

CMS Chief Academic Officer Brian Schultz Joins Heart Math Tutoring Board of Directors - Heart Math Tutoring CMS Chief Academic Officer Brian Schultz Joins Heart Math Tutoring Board of Directors CMS Chief Academic Officer Brian Schultz Joins Heart Math Tutoring Board of Directors January 25, 2016 Heart is proud to announce  that we have  has appointed Brian Schultz, chief academic officer of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), to our board of directors. Schultz’s academic career includes the past five years at CMS where he has held positions ranging from  principal of Torrence Creek Elementary to executive director for the Central Secondary Zone and of the Northeast Learning Community. Prior to joining CMS, Schultz was director of elementary education, a principal and a teacher in Cabarrus County Schools and a teacher at Twin Lakes School Corporation. “We are grateful for and honored by Brian’s [Schultz] commitment to serve on Heart’s board of directors,” said Emily Elliott, executive director of Heart Math Tutoring. “We appreciate our long-standing partnership with CMS. The elementary math department has been integral to the program’s beginnings and remains a close advisor. Brian [Schultz] brings a wealth of background and insight, and his perspective will be invaluable. Read the full press release here.

5 Things You Might Not Expect About College Finals

5 Things You Might Not Expect About College Finals Tips from an Irvine College Tutor: 5 Things You Might Not Expect About College Finals Tips from an Irvine College Tutor: 5 Things You Might Not Expect About College Finals Its just about that time; students are prepping for their first year of college-level final exams. Even students who aced every single one of their high school exams should be prepared for a few differences. The reality is that not only is college harder, but its different. Unknown factors can leave students feeling completely overwhelmed and unable to focus on their study tasks. Students who are unsure what to expect the first year of finals should think about the most common things that can trip up them and their peers. 1. Concentration College finals will take an immense amount of concentration. Students should get used to studying the topic at hand for multiple hours at a time. Although students can take as many breaks as they want during their study sessions, they wont be able to take any breaks during the exam. Its tempting to think that a final exam will last for the 55 minutes of the class period, but the block schedule for finals week is completely different. That chemistry class from 10 a.m. 10:55 a.m. may be from 10 a.m. 12:00 p.m. during finals week. Students should be prepared to concentrate on the information and be able to demonstrate their knowledge for well more than an hour (READ: The Students Guide to Study Breaks). 2. Content In college, the content students may be tested on is pretty much and ‘anything goes’ situation. Although some professors will give students an itemized study guide, most wont and they dont have to. Anything that was taught during the semester can be on the final. One thing that most students forget about is that the information they’re tested on may not necessarily have been covered in class. If the syllabus says chapter 3, then chapter 3 might be on the test even if the professor never talked about it. Always make sure to read the fine print on the syllabus (READ: How to Get an A Before the End of the Semester). 3. Explain Yourself In high school, most students took tests in a matching or multiple choice format. However, this will only be true part of the time in college. Most professors want to be absolutely sure that their students understood the information before they put their name behind a specific grade. College students should be expected to write in an open-answer format or in an essay format, meaning they have to be able to communicate themselves well in words. Additionally, many students think their lecture class final exam (where are there are 200+ students) will have to have a multiple choice format because the professor simply wouldnt have time to grade all of the essays. Dont forget, these large classes have teaching assistants to help with grading and other tasks. 4. Extra Credit? (nope) In high school, many students have the opportunity for extra credit (with the exception of AP courses). This is generally not the case in college. In high school students are still learning how to study and absorb material, which is why teachers may allow for extra credit if they think its necessary. In college, students are expected to be able to manage their own time, budget their tasks, and approach the professor for extra help if necessary. College students should never assume they can make up a test or quiz with an extra credit assignment (READ: Tips From an Irvine Private Tutor: Avoiding Stress During Finals). 5. Partial answers? (nope) Many high school teachers will also give credit for partial answers in an open-ended question format. Again, at this age students are still learning how to be students. If they had a question 80% correct their teacher may give them half a point. Once in college, students should not expect this type of leniency. If an answer doesnt cover all of the points required by the question, it’ll most certainly be counted as incorrect. Students  will be expected to demonstrate their knowledge for every part of the textbook and additional learning materials, not just part of it. Its not too late to book your private Irvine college tutor from TutorNerds for college finals. Call us today for more information. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

Literature 101 Surviving Character Analysis - TutorNerds

Literature 101 Surviving Character Analysis - TutorNerds Literature 101: Surviving Character Analysis Every student from elementary school all the way through AP classes will have to learn how to analyze a literary character. Some students will easily pick up on imagining what it was like to be a different person in a different time period. On the other hand, many students struggle to understand what it would be like to be another person and often veer away from reading their literature assignments. Once a student stops reading a book from cover to cover and starts taking shortcuts, they are in danger of lower grades and test scores, as well as a general misunderstanding of literature and reading comprehension. So how does a student learn to empathize with a character and create a successful character analysis to hand in for a grade? 1. Choose a character similar to yourself Trying to analyze a character who is almost entirely different from oneself is not the right place to start and will frustrate students who have not learned earlier steps. Instead, they should start with a character who is like them in many ways. For example, if a student is 15 years old, female, interested in skateboarding, and living in Southern California, she should look for a literary character who is also a teen, also female, and also sporty. She can then write a character analysis without having to use too much empathy for a character she doesnt understand (READ: Tips Form an Orange County Tutor: Keeping Study Sessions on Track). 2. Start small Students who attempt to write a five paragraph, in depth character analysis without first having practiced on a smaller scale often become confused and frustrated. It’s recommended that students start with a simple 5-7 sentence, one paragraph analysis of a character in a book theyre currently reading. 3.  Make an outline Many literary students suffer from writers block because they simply dont know where to start. This is very common but can be overcome through basic organization and the creation of an outline. For example, students should consider the following questions. A. What is the character’s age/gender? B. What time period does the character live in? C. What are the struggles that the character is currently facing? Most characters in literature are facing some sort of struggle so that they can grow and persevere. (Students are always encouraged to look for the struggle or difficulty that a particular character is facing.) D. Who does the character react to and why? For the most part, characters will react differently to other characters throughout the novel. For instance, does the character always react negatively to their sibling? (In which case there might be a more complex issue with a brother or sister.) Alternatively, is a character always happy to see their next door neighbor? (A positive character bond has been identified.)   This will help students analyze the relationship between primary and secondary characters. 4. Share the analysis with a classmate or tutor When writing the first several character analyses, its important for students to ask an intelligent classmate or tutor to have a look at their work. Because this will be extra work for students, its essential that theyre on the right track before they move on to their second and third analyses. Both study groups and educators can help students figure out what went well and what they need to improve upon and can save them from additional frustration in the future (READ: Five Tips for Success in English Class). In short Learning to analyze a character is something that will be important all the way from first grade through the end of AP classes. Its important that students master this skill sooner rather than later so they can receive high grades on class assignments and also remain engaged in their school reading list as well as novels they read for fun. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us post about.

The Iceberg Theory in Action 5 Tips to Make Input-based Language Learning Work for You

The Iceberg Theory in Action 5 Tips to Make Input-based Language Learning Work for You Do you wish you could learn a language through TV and movies? Maybe youve tried textbooks and classes, but they just dont work for you.Or maybe youre an introvert whos terrified  by the prospect of finding language partners  online  or in real life!Much of the online language community is big on talking about  talking. So if thats not your thing, you might feel like you cant learn a language.Well, youll be glad to know that many language learners succeed through watching TV, listening to radio and reading books, some of them without setting foot in the classroom!Some learners wait until theyre quite advanced to talk to native speakers.Khatzumoto of  All Japanese All the Time, for example, attained incredible speaking and writing skills in Japanese through television and comics.Kató Lomb, a Hungarian polyglot, learned a lot of her sixteen languages through reading trashy novels.These learning methods are  input-based.  Input can be defined as all of the things you listen to, watch  o r read in your target language.However, its not uncommon for learners to feel that their passive skills (reading and listening comprehension) far outstrip their active skills  (speaking and writing).So, how does input-based learning work? Will it ever lead to speaking and writing, or will input-lovers be stuck with their books and movies forever?For the answer, we turn to the mighty Iceberg Theory. What Is the Iceberg Theory?Ernest Hemingways iceberg analogyTo start with, heres something Ernest Hemingway wrote in Death in the Afternoon:The dignity of movement of an iceberg is due to only one-eighth of it being above water.Lets give some context to this lovely, poetic quote, shall we? Here, Hemingway is talking about short stories. He was, as Im sure many of you know, a famed short story writer. Part of what brought him that fame was his peculiar, sparse writing style. Hemingway loved to omit details. He may have imagined an entire world surrounding his characters, their personal h istories and their setting, but little of that was mentioned in his stories.Rather, Hemingway masterfully allowed just the tip of the iceberg to show to the reader. Nevertheless, Hemingway insisted that readers still had a sense of the details that remained underwater. These were the details that kept the story moving and gave it weight, just as with an iceberg.But why am I talking about a fiction writing theory?While Hemingways Iceberg Theory was created and tailored for writers of fiction, it can also affect how we view a number of things, including the acquisition of  skills  like  language learning. Dont take the prose application all too seriouslyâ€"the imagery of the iceberg is what were after.Your passive skills, your comprehension abilities, may be underwater, invisible to all except you, but theyll one day give you the balance and confidence to express yourself in your target language. When you keep feeding your iceberg more and more input, the bit above the surface will gr ow as well, and youll start seeing more results with your active skills.The Iceberg Theory is helpful if you find yourself losing confidence over your active skills, even when your passive skills might be well-developed.So lets look at some reliable ways that you can start applying this theory to your language learning today!The Iceberg Theory in Action: 5 Tips to Make Input-based Language Learning Work for You1. Seek out engaging resources for listening and reading.Firsthand, I can tell you that input-based language learning can seem like its  not having much of an effect. But every understood word is a breakthrough. Patience is key, which is why you need to keep your resources fun and engaging. Its got to be stuff that you come back to, time and time again.Luckily, there are a million ways to do that!  A lot of input-based learners like to set up an immersion environment at home, just to make sure theyre absorbing all they can.Using authentic materials, like TV and movies, for you r input keeps learning engaging and also avoids the problem of using textbook recordings for language study only to discover that native speakers talk at lightning speed!So, how do you find quality authentic resources for your input-based learning?Hit up YouTube for songs in your target language, ones in genres that youll want to play again and again.Google  online forums that discuss your language for names of podcasts, radio stations and TV show recommendations.Amazon third-party sellers are great for finding books in even the most uncommon languages.And for a completely customized but totally authentic input-based experience, theres always FluentU.  FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.Build up that mini immersion environment (even if its only as big as your bedroom), and soon youll surprise yourself with how much you can understand. With input, your comprehension â€"both in reading and listeningâ€"skyrockets. Not too long after that, youll surprise yourself with how much you can express. Keep that iceberg growing and growing!2. Use tried-and-true methods.Input-based learning can involve simply consuming those native resources such as catchy  songs, hilarious  TV shows and gripping movies. Input-focused  learners might take a breather to sit down and relax with a novel.However, input-based learning can also involve very specific methods, such as entering  sentences and vocabulary items into  SRS flashcard programs in order to reap maximum retention benefits.For example, Khatzumoto, mentioned above,  mined  Japanese sentences from his favorite comic books and websites, and entered them into his SRS. He copied the sentences that he found particularly exciting or funny, and put them onto the front of the card, with an English translation on the back.Because of the algorithm used in SRS programs, he most often reviewed the cards that were most di fficult to remember. After 10,000 SRS sentences combined with 10,000 hours of listening to Japanese non-stop, Khatzumoto was fluent in Japanese before ever setting foot in Japan.Ms. Lomb, also mentioned above, learned her languages through novels, the trashier the better. As she explains in her book, she read through novels trying to parse the vocabulary and grammar as much as she could  without  a dictionary.This is called extensive readingâ€"reading without attempting to look up every single unknown word. She enjoyed the language for itself, with or without understanding, and only looked up words that appeared time and time again. With all of the input she received through her novels, she gradually built up sizeable knowledge and an intuitive sense of grammar. Whats even more encouraging is that Lomb learned most of her languages in the 40s, 50s and 60s, well before the conveniences of online radio, television or international bookstores!I personally use extensive reading and imme rsive listening in my own studies. I find extensive reading gives me a broad sense of how the language works. I read things like Harry Potter (which I know  very  well in English) in my target languages, and I decode a lot of the language by using context.In the same way, listening to foreign language radio for hours a day familiarizes me with the sounds of the language so that I can start picking out words more quickly once my vocabulary gets going.3. Think like an iceberg to gain confidence in your passive skills!Whenever you feel your confidence slipping over your stuttering speech (it happens!) or long pauses as you search for words, remember how only an eighth of an iceberg is above water. You might not have much at the tip of your tongue when people around you ask you to perform (believe me, this is how I feel about my current target language, Dutch).Some will argue that speaking is most important, that you cant say you know a language if your speaking skills are rusty. This s imply isnt true! Input-focused learning methods, those that improve comprehension, help all of us stay afloat.  Theyre the foundation of your language skills.Even in our native languages, we can only produce a fraction of what we can understand. The rest is underwater, just like with our target languages. My native language is Englishâ€"I sure can read a Dickens novel, but that doesnt mean my  attempts at writing come close. I can follow along with the dialogue in Pulp Fiction, but that doesnt mean I can talk like a Tarantino character off the cuff whenever I please.When learners favor input, passive skills will predictably outstrip the active skills.  Just remember that the bulk of your work is underwater. Thats where your vocabulary is. Its where your grammar is. Rest assured, your input-based  language learning is working.4. If you dont want to talk right away, dont! Language learning can be too focused on output.Speaking straight out of the gate is not for everyone, although it is heavily encouraged by the online language learning community.Just remember, theres more than one way up the same mountainor iceberg.I, like many, get super nervous when speaking, particularly when I try to talk too early, when my language iceberg hasnt yet grown to a size at which I feel comfortable. I might have a store of linguistic knowledge underwater, but the tiny tip of the iceberg just isnt enough to make me confident at output.Its not worth freezing up and racking up negative experiences that could jeopardize my whole project, so I wait. Improving my passive skills is wonderfully rewardingâ€"language isnt  all about talking. Reading and understanding are hugely important skills, so dont feel guilty if you prefer to overindulge in them!Eventually, youll be at the point at which speaking will seem like the next natural step by virtue of that  passive knowledge youve accumulated.5. Have faith that youll see results.Yes, input-based learning requires some patience. If youre m ore comfortable with movies and books than with chatting while youre out and about, then theres a bit of a trade-off.At the same level, an input-loving learners comprehension skills will outmatch someone who focused on conversation right away, but that same input-lovers conversational abilities will lag behind.Still, provided both keep at their languages for long periods of time, theyll both get to well-rounded fluency in the end.Have faith that increases in your comprehension  matter, and that they are crucial for improved active skills.Your iceberg will always be growing, provided you are interacting with your language, but only one-eighth will be visible. Nevertheless, as time goes on, and as your underwater bank of knowledge increases, that one-eighth will grow as well.Keep at it, and that underwater bank will be pushed above the surface, and youll find yourself speaking and writing more confidently than ever!Recognize that your knowledge is underwaterâ€"not nonexistent.Its easy to lose confidence when much of your target language is passive. You have little to show off, and youre not yet comfortable approaching native speakers.Will anyone believe youre learning a language?  How can you  prove that your language studies have not been in vain?  You cant! Not yet, at least. But forget about convincing people. Self-confidence and patience are what input-based learning is all about.Youre a dignified iceberg! Like any well-balanced, floating chunk of ice, your substance is invisible to others, but thats what makes you so mighty  and powerful.Why, you could sink the Titanic with skills  like that! And One More ThingIf youre digging these strategies, youll love using FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see he re:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interactive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs learn mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Start using FluentU on the website with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the iTunes store  or Google Play store.

Wanting To Make A Difference In The World, This Young Student Has Her Sights Set On Politics

Wanting To Make A Difference In The World, This Young Student Has Her Sights Set On Politics Wanting To Make A Difference In The World, This Young Student Has Her Sights Set On Politics Ava, 12, Level I Math, Reading Program Completer Ava started her Kumon journey just over two years ago at the age of 10, and in that time has already successfully completed the Kumon Reading Program. Being in the 7th grade, Ava can say she has already analyzed the works of Shakespeare. “I enjoyed the excerpts in the reading program so much that I ended up borrowing the books to read in my spare time, such as, Pride and Prejudice, The Hobbit, and The Story of My Life,” said Ava. “I also enjoyed interpreting Shakespeare because it’s like a puzzle that’s just waiting for me to solve.” Now, she is determined to complete the Kumon Math Program. She’s already studying above her grade level, but she knows that with a little perseverance, she can complete the entire programâ€"which ends in calculus. Ava thanks Kumon for being able to grasp math concepts with ease in school. As a lifelong resident of Hawaii, it’s no surprise Ava loves taking breaks at the beach from her busy school schedule. She has even developed a sense of wanderlust at a young age with a passion for traveling and discovering new places. After five years of perfecting the art of hula dancing, Ava is proud to say that her hula dance group was selected to perform at the recent 2019 Rose Bowl Parade, and will be the youngest member of her group to perform! Wanting to make a difference in the world, she sees a future in politics or activism, so she can be the voice of people who want to be heard. Ava’s perseverance and determination was recognized by having been one of 55 students selected to attend the 2018 Kumon Student Conference in Calgary, Canada. We had the opportunity to speak to Ava about her Kumon journey thus far. What’s the most beneficial thing you’ve learned in Kumon thus far? Patience is the most beneficial thing I’ve learned because it helps me in and out of the classroom. For example, I will not always understand the formula, but I won’t give up on it right away. I will take a break and ask the teacher for help. Patience also helps me with hula dancing because I may not always get the move down, so I will take a breath and ask my friend for help and try it again. If you could sum up your Kumon experience in one word, what would it be? Perseverance. There were many times when I felt like giving up, but I told myself that I would not give up so easily and I would try again. Perseverance got me to where I am nowâ€"completing the Kumon Reading Program, and working on Level I in the Kumon Math Program. How has Kumon helped you outside of the classroom? I tend to be a sore loser at times, and Kumon has taught me to persevere and keep my frustration at bay. For example, when I lose a game, I don’t get mad and give up. I remain positive and try again, just like in Kumon when I am struggling with a concept. What keeps you motivated in Kumon? The thought that Kumon will help me through challenges in life, like my academics, motivates me because I know that Kumon helps many kids get past those tests to be accepted into college. I really want to attend college and study either business or politics, which requires sharp reading and math skills. I know it will help me for my future, and I will never stop giving it my all. What did it mean to you attending the Student Conference? It allowed me to meet other kids who also enjoy Kumon. Most of my friends don’t understand why I do Kumon or believe me when I say I do it for fun and to be smarter. I met so many people who like Kumon, and even like Harry Potter. It was fun talking about our Kumon experiences and our favorite Harry Potter characters. What advice do you have for other Kumon Students? Kumon takes a lot of work and patience. Even though you might feel like you will never finish your worksheet, remember that you’re working to be a smarter student, don’t let the worksheets stop you! Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: SUCCESS IN KUMON INSPIRED THIS YOUNG STUDENT TO EXCEL IN THE POOL Meet Gitanjali, a Former Kumon Student who Is Changing the World This Young Student Gets Competitive With Her Math Skills This Young Students App was Recognized by Apple Wanting To Make A Difference In The World, This Young Student Has Her Sights Set On Politics Wanting To Make A Difference In The World, This Young Student Has Her Sights Set On Politics Ava, 12, Level I Math, Reading Program Completer Ava started her Kumon journey just over two years ago at the age of 10, and in that time has already successfully completed the Kumon Reading Program. Being in the 7th grade, Ava can say she has already analyzed the works of Shakespeare. “I enjoyed the excerpts in the reading program so much that I ended up borrowing the books to read in my spare time, such as, Pride and Prejudice, The Hobbit, and The Story of My Life,” said Ava. “I also enjoyed interpreting Shakespeare because it’s like a puzzle that’s just waiting for me to solve.” Now, she is determined to complete the Kumon Math Program. She’s already studying above her grade level, but she knows that with a little perseverance, she can complete the entire programâ€"which ends in calculus. Ava thanks Kumon for being able to grasp math concepts with ease in school. As a lifelong resident of Hawaii, it’s no surprise Ava loves taking breaks at the beach from her busy school schedule. She has even developed a sense of wanderlust at a young age with a passion for traveling and discovering new places. After five years of perfecting the art of hula dancing, Ava is proud to say that her hula dance group was selected to perform at the recent 2019 Rose Bowl Parade, and will be the youngest member of her group to perform! Wanting to make a difference in the world, she sees a future in politics or activism, so she can be the voice of people who want to be heard. Ava’s perseverance and determination was recognized by having been one of 55 students selected to attend the 2018 Kumon Student Conference in Calgary, Canada. We had the opportunity to speak to Ava about her Kumon journey thus far. What’s the most beneficial thing you’ve learned in Kumon thus far? Patience is the most beneficial thing I’ve learned because it helps me in and out of the classroom. For example, I will not always understand the formula, but I won’t give up on it right away. I will take a break and ask the teacher for help. Patience also helps me with hula dancing because I may not always get the move down, so I will take a breath and ask my friend for help and try it again. If you could sum up your Kumon experience in one word, what would it be? Perseverance. There were many times when I felt like giving up, but I told myself that I would not give up so easily and I would try again. Perseverance got me to where I am nowâ€"completing the Kumon Reading Program, and working on Level I in the Kumon Math Program. How has Kumon helped you outside of the classroom? I tend to be a sore loser at times, and Kumon has taught me to persevere and keep my frustration at bay. For example, when I lose a game, I don’t get mad and give up. I remain positive and try again, just like in Kumon when I am struggling with a concept. What keeps you motivated in Kumon? The thought that Kumon will help me through challenges in life, like my academics, motivates me because I know that Kumon helps many kids get past those tests to be accepted into college. I really want to attend college and study either business or politics, which requires sharp reading and math skills. I know it will help me for my future, and I will never stop giving it my all. What did it mean to you attending the Student Conference? It allowed me to meet other kids who also enjoy Kumon. Most of my friends don’t understand why I do Kumon or believe me when I say I do it for fun and to be smarter. I met so many people who like Kumon, and even like Harry Potter. It was fun talking about our Kumon experiences and our favorite Harry Potter characters. What advice do you have for other Kumon Students? Kumon takes a lot of work and patience. Even though you might feel like you will never finish your worksheet, remember that you’re working to be a smarter student, don’t let the worksheets stop you! Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: SUCCESS IN KUMON INSPIRED THIS YOUNG STUDENT TO EXCEL IN THE POOL Meet Gitanjali, a Former Kumon Student who Is Changing the World This Young Student Gets Competitive With Her Math Skills This Young Students App was Recognized by Apple