Unique summer experience for two KIPPsters

KIPP Blytheville rising freshmen John Ball and Anika Mittal had the opportunity to participate in very unique summer programs during break. The students are now ready to jump back into the classroom and share what they've learned.

John Ball's summer was full of opportunities and experiences that many people don't have in their entire lifetime. Ball took a course with the National Outdoor Leadership School in the Adirondack Mountains, where he spent 21 days hiking and backpacking with students from New England, California, Sweden and Abu Dhabi.

Although there were experienced guides on the trip, the daily activities were often led by students. Each day, a different student was assigned to be the leader and was tasked with the care of their new teammates and friends. On days when Ball was the leader, he had to set a wake-up time for the group, decide on their destination for the day, determine the route, lead the hike and keep all group members safe and hydrated. Once the group arrived at their destination, he had to ensure that tents were set up, a fire was lit, dinner was cooked and all the food was hung out of the reach of bears. At the end of each day, the leader received feedback about their performance, and then put that feedback to use the next time they were at the helm. Ball said he particularly enjoyed the experience of leading his peers, and he felt he maintained a good balance of both caring for his teammates needs while also remaining focused on the day's goal.

Anika Mittal, also in the Class of 2018, spent three weeks of her summer engaging in an entirely different, though equally rewarding, endeavor. She traveled to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she participated in the High School Research Program. This program, which encourages the pursuit of careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), gives high-performing high school students the opportunity to learn in a focused research environment. Additionally, these high school students receive informal mentoring from both college students and professors, while living on a college campus.

Mittal spent her time at UALR working under the direction of Dr. Ganesh Kannarpady on a nanotechnology research project. In the Advanced Deposition Lab at UALR's Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences, researchers are working to develop coatings that do not allow water droplets to form on a surface and therefore the surface does not ice. Mittal's interest in chemistry and engineering steered her toward this project, and she thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work in a focused research environment. Her summer experience culminated with a presentation to her peers and UALR staff on the new research.

cpinkard@blythevillecourier.com