Amazon Prime series features Missouri Southern

JOPLIN, Mo. – Missouri Southern today tolled out the green carpet for a special campus premiere event.

MSSU showed a new episode of “The College Tour”, which spotlights the University.

Officials say a production crew visited MSSU in April to film and interviewed 10 students about the school’s special qualities.

The series documents universities from around the world and focuses on anecdotal stories from students regarding the following:

  • Campus life
  • Sports and atmosphere
  • Academic studies

“Student, faculty and staff support during production of our episode was overwhelming,” said Dr. Shellie Hewitt, dean of admissions. “Sharing our story on ‘The College Tour’ is a way to provide prospective students and their families with valuable information about our campus and what it means to be a Missouri Southern Lion. I’m proud of the work that went into the project and I’m ready for everyone to see how amazing MSSU is through the eyes of our students.”

Click here to view the episode.

Watch KOAM & Fox 14 Evening News to see the whole story or check back later for additional content.

Freeman hosts pediatric care simulation during ‘Operation Playground’

JOPLIN, Mo. – Freeman gave local medical students some valuable training today with its ‘Operation Playground’ exercise.

Operation Playground simulates pediatric care for gunshot victims, according to officials.

Baseball players, played by area nursing students were delivered to the Freeman Emergency Room where they were ‘treated’ by the students.

Program officials say students from KCU medical school and area nursing students were a part of the response team under the supervision of Freeman staff.

Click here to learn more.

 

PSU Professors kick-off robotics class in Columbus

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Pittsburg State University Professors Norman Phillip & Randy Winzer today brought their robotics class to Columbus.

The Adventures in Robotics class uses AIR curriculum based on NASA objectives like:

  •  an introduction to the LEGO SPIKE robotics system
  •  basics of scratch coding in SPIKE
  •  training module on building a basic robot and making it move
  • Stop in Time Challenge

This class is open to youth in grades 4 through 9 and pre-enrollment is required for future classes.

Click here to learn more.

Joplin has a new home for arts and entertainment

After over a decade of planning, passion, and work — and a solid year and a half of building — the Harry M. Cornell Arts and Entertainment Complex reaches completion. The venue houses The Beshore Performance Hall, The Legget and Platt Green, welcome desk and gift shop and so much more.

Emily Frankoski, director of Connect2Culture — Joplin’s community arts agency — talked with KOAM’s Janna Hautala about the venue and what the community can expect in terms of artists and performers from not just the Four States, but from around the nation as well. The complex also plans to work with area schools to arrange for students to attend previews for shows. She also stressed that having such a venue will provide an opportunity for kids to be exposed to the arts without having to travel long distances.

Heather Lesmeister, executive director of the Spiva Center for the Arts, expressed her excitement for what the Cornell Complex means to the Spiva Center. Now under one bright and shiny new roof, Spiva also has a home to display the works of local artists and serve as a venue to help those artists sell and promote their work. The venue will also host a permanent art collection.

The Harry M. Cornell Arts and Entertainment Complex will provide a sophisticated level of arts, entertainment, culture and education right here in the Four States that normally wouldn’t be found outside of a major city…right her in the heart of Joplin.

The Harry M. Cornell Arts and Entertainment Complex opens to the public on Saturday, November 12.

If you would like more information on the Harry M. Cornell Arts and Entertainment Complex, click here to visit the website.

For more information on Connect2Culture, click here to visit their website.

If you are interested in more information about Spiva Center for the Arts, click here to visit their website.

How students are using heavy machinery… without the machinery

MCDONALD COUNTY, Mo. – Agriculture students get experience with an excavator… without being on an excavator.

McDonald County High School students got the chance to use heavy machinery with the help of a simulator. It gives them a way to get the experience in a controlled environment without having the stress of the actual machine.

School officials say they plan to bring the simulator back next spring, allowing students to experience working in a bulldozer.

Baxter Springs in early discussions about 4-day school week

BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. – Students in a Southeast Kansas school district may be going to a 4-day school week.

Thursday night, the USD 508 invited parents and students to the High School to learn more. School officials laid out what the week would entail.

So far, nothing is set in stone. The district just wants to answer any questions parents may have. The School District says these are only preliminary discussions.

There will be another open meeting next week, November 17, at 6:00 pm at Central Elementary.

VR lab gives students 200+ reality healthcare scenarios

JOPLIN, Mo. – In the healthcare industry, finding realistic ways to train students is important.

Now, with the help of virtual reality, Missouri Southern’s Nursing Department students have a new way to learn.

The Department held a ribbon cutting today for its new Virtual Reality Simulation Lab.

It includes headsets, controllers, and access to a library of more than 200+ virtual reality scenarios designed to allow students to work on different skills.

An anonymous donation paid for the new lab. The donor’s intent was to supply students with innovative technology.

Carl Junction announces Heisman High School Scholarship award winner

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. – The Heisman Trophy Trust today announced the 2022 School Winners for its Heisman High School Scholarship.

Student-athlete Logan Jones was selected out of Carl Junction as the School Winner.

Officials say Jones now has the chance to become State Winners, National Finalists or National Winners.

Prizes are as follows:

  • State Winners – $1,000 college scholarship
  • National Finalists – $2,000 college scholarship
  • National Winners – $10,000 college scholarship

Click here to learn more about the Trust.

To the Future: groups gather to share opportunities with students

MCDONALD COUNTY, Mo. – As they near graduation, high school students face a decision that will help guide their future: a Career Choice.

Today, more than 70 groups showed up to share some of those options with McDonald County High School students. The High School is in Anderson, Missouri.

They included local businesses, industries, colleges, and universities from around the region.

Business leaders shared career opportunities in the area and what it takes to get those jobs. College and university representatives discussed career paths through higher education.

School leaders hope events like this give students direction as to what career path they want to pursue. It’s also the first job fair since the McDonald County High School has had a career counselor.