Carnival of Discovery held

By WARREN DILLAWAY Staff Writer
Star Beacon

March 02, 2008 10:43 pm

— ASHTABULA — What do jazz music, Legos, and arts and crafts have in common?
They were all central to the Carnival of Discovery sponsored Thursday by the After School Discovery Program at Kent State University-Ashtabula Campus.
“It (the carnival) brings the kids together to show each other what they have learned,” said Linda Coblitz, treasurer of the After School Discovery Program.
Students from elementary schools in North Kingsville, Kingsville Township, Ashtabula Township, Austinburg Township, Harpersfield Township and Ashtabula had a chance to show their stuff and learn from others as they visited the various discovery booths Thursday afternoon
One of the highlights of the experience was a performance by the Lakeside High School Jazz Band.
“They (the elementary school students) have been doing a lot of jazz music and the history (of the movement),” Coblitz said.
Students from nine different schools participate in a variety of after-school programs in art, sports and educational events.
“We started out as the International Fair,” Coblitz said of the program that began seven years ago. She said the main reason for the annual event is to showcase the students’ talents and spark student interest when they see a new project or concept demonstrated.
A lot of parents walked around the gymnasium with their children.
“The parents get to see all they do,” Coblitz said.
Volunteers stacked tennis balls in the form of bowling pins only to have them toppled by an elementary school student wielding a tennis ball. The booth was sponsored by the After School Discovery tennis class.
Arts and crafts came to life at the butterfly program, and little food treats were available at specialty food tables.
Heather Winter, a sixth grader at Ridgeview Elementary School, said she was excited about the event as she prepared to play her guitar with a band.
Brad Stevenson, a local artist and wood worker, teaches a variety of classes at the different elementary schools. He said he enjoys working with the children who otherwise are not exposed to the art classes during their regular school experience.

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