Education

Eighth grade students at South Sumter Middle School are getting a good taste of the “eco” issues of our world and a good handle on race car driving – or at least, solar power model racing.
Kevin Strickland and other physical science teachers at the school hosted solar car races on Friday, March 2.
The races began at 11 a.m. and ended a unit of study on alternative types of energy. 

The Sumter County Spelling Bee was held on Feb. 9.
The top students from the school spelling bees participated. The following students represented the schools:
Karsyn Hogan — Bushnell Elementary School
Tristan Lamaire — Bushnell Elementary School
Arvin Hariprashad — Lake Panasoffkee Elementary School
Kera Webb — Lake Panasoffkee Elementary School
Alyssa McCoy — South Sumter Middle School
Justin Null — South Sumter Middle School
Kyle Fox — The Villages Charter School

The Big Springs Regional Science Fair brought out the traditional Sumter County participation, with the best and brightest middle and high school students discussing their science research, experimental designs, and interesting conclusions with a host of judges from a variety of professions. Sumter County students join the competition with students from Marion and Levy Counties.

A lightning storm is one of the most dramatic shows of nature. You may feel like rushing outside to experience the blinding bolts, with the loud CRACKs and rumbles of surround-sound thunder following close behind.

But don’t.

Lightning is dangerous. Stay inside.

Each year there are around 25 million lightning flashes in the United States. That’s a lot of chances to be a lightning victim. Although most people who are struck by lightning survive, many are badly injured, some permanently.