John Wold Help Yourself Academy

HYA Celebration

Participation Form

Participation Form (Spanish)

Welcome to the Spring 2024 HYA Session

Dates: January 30 – March 20
Days: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Time: 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Who: 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Students
Where: Wold Physical Science Building at Casper College

Reminders:

• Join Remind APP
• Text: 81010
• Message: @hya23

Pick Up Location:

• Families pick up 4th grade students in the Physical Science Building Parking Lot
• Families pick up 3rd and 5th grade students up top on the east entrance

Fifth Grade Activities with Mr. McIntyre:

• Scientific Process with experiments
• Toothpick Bridges
• CSI Mystery
• Owl Pellets
• Mean-Median-Mode-Range
• Rocketry

Brief History

John Wold Help Yourself Academy officially started with students the fall semester of 2009 following a year of planning and consultation with Casper College, the University of Wyoming, Natrona County School District, and the Boys & Girls Club of Central Wyoming. The program was primarily funded by John Wold through the Casper College Foundation. Further funding information is available from the Casper College Foundation. Mr. Wold believed that providing all children with a strong background in mathematics and science would promote a stronger and more knowledgeable citizenry. The program is based on the Help Yourself Academy begun at Union College by Roger Hull in Schenectady, New York.

The Basics

HYA is an academic enrichment program for children in grades 3-5. The intent of the program is to engage children in a college atmosphere, so they see college as a real positive reality. This program is primarily designed for average to high ability children who are interested in math and science, problem-solvers, work well in a team, and like to be challenged.

• The academic focus is on science and math.
• Children are nominated by their teachers, counselors, and school administrators.
• HYA is designed as a multi-year program with the hopes and expectations that children stay active from 3rd grade through 5th grade.
• There is no cost for the program.
• HYA meets two afternoons each week (Tuesday and Wednesday) September through November and February through March from 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Mission Statement

The mission of the John Wold Help Yourself Academy is to encourage young students and their families to believe in their ability to become successful college students through mentoring and a curriculum that supports skills and knowledge needed to become successful students.

HYA Classroom Experience Overview

Each school year, our teachers engage children in a college atmosphere, so they view college as a real and positive reality. In the classroom, we employ two main strategies:

1. We provide elementary students with engaging instruction (e.g., use of manipulative materials, discovery methods, problem-based learning) in science, math, computer science skills; and
2. We provide students with college student mentors who bond socially with the students and encourage learning, motivation, and engagement to be successful and the importance of lifelong learning.
3. The program is facilitated by certified teachers, a program director, as well as college-age mentors providing opportunities for children to receive individual attention.

A huge THANK YOU to our partnerships across Casper:

• John Wold Family Foundation
• Casper College
• Natrona County School District
• Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming
• ALL the families, educators, administrators, and schools who support this program