On May 14th from 3:15PM-4:30PM, your student has the opportunity to walk to Millard West to observe Millard West’s AP Capstone Showcase. This event, held in the Millard West library, will allow your student to explore the various research projects conducted by Millard West seniors in the AP Capstone program. This open house style event allows students to ask questions to the researchers. 

Before we walk to Millard West, I will review expectations for viewing and asking questions. We will arrive back to Russell by 4:45PM.

I know there are many events going on this time of year, so I am asking for students/families interested to complete this Google Form by Friday, May 8th. This will allow me to take attendance before leaving RMS and as we leave MWHS. If you plan on joining your student at the Showcase, the Google Form allows you to indicate the pick up location. Your student just needs to check out with me.

Students identified as visual/spatial, math,or are interested in design should consider signing up for the Architecture seminar!

This Level 1 seminar will take place on May 8th from 9:00-1:00. 8th grade students will visit the Kiewit Innovation and Design Lab at Kiewit University in downtown Omaha.  Students will participate in activities related to building and design along with touring the Kiewit Innovation Lab.  Lunch (Jimmy John's) will be provided by Kiewit.  Students are welcome to bring their own lunch due to allergies or preference.

Only 8th grade students interested need to complete this Google Form  by April 22nd. There are 10 spots available. If more than than the allotted number of students are interested, we will use a lottery method to determine who will attend. Anyone who completes the Google Form will be notified via email by April 24th  whether they will be participating in this seminar. 

On April 14, students explored the field of cytogenetics by karyotyping chromosomes. On a tour of the pathology lab, students understood the process used to test samples taken from hospital settings. Finally, students practiced drawing blood from a mannequin's arm. Back in the building, students identified the blood types of various samples.

Click here to see images from the genetics seminar.

On March 6th, students dissected a squid. Students learned how squids are used for research in related to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and examined various defense mechanisms.

Click here to see images from the squid dissection.

On February 18th, students became part of an emergency medical team on a National Institutes of Health mercy ship traveling up the Amazon River. 

No pictures are available from this seminar.

On February 3rd, students experienced theater through workshops led by local theater institutions, performances by all three Millard high schools, and a Q and A with UNO Theater professors.

Click here to see images from the All Millard Theater Festival.

On January 21st, 8th grade students participated in a STEM Open House at Millard West. During this seminar, students had the opportunity to interact with STEM professionals, university representatives, and senior high school students who are passionate about these fields. Students participated in a hands-on activity with MWHS STEM Academy students.

Click here to see images from the STEM Open House.

On January 22nd, students learned about medical careers including nursing, physical therapy, and cardiac anatomy and physiology through hands-on labs.

Click here to see images from the Clarkson seminar.

On October 23, students engaged in STEM-related rotations in physics, biological sciences, and chemistry through UNL's College of Arts and Sciences. During the physics rotation, students measured light. At biological sciences, students observed parts of a fetal pig. As chemists, students mixed an oobleck with cornstarch, water, and food coloring.

Click here to see students in action:

• 8th Arts and Sciences

On October 29 and 30, students in Honors English participated in a mock tria. During this two-week unit, students engaged in a simulated courtroom experience, where they will take on roles such as attorneys, witnesses, and jurors.  In addition, real-world attorneys and legal personnel served as judges to help mentor them as they try their cases. Students engaged in critical thinking and public speaking skills throughout the unit.

Click here to see students in action:

• 8th Honors English Mock Trials

On December 3, 8th grade students participated in sessions related to rollercoasters, static electricity, and rockets. At the end of the day, students toured Kiewit Hall to see the day in the life of a college student.

Click here to see students in action:

• 8th UNL Engineering

On November 6, 8th grade students explored motion, sound, light, and heat at the Kiewit Luminarium.

Click here to see students in action:

• 8th Luminarium

On September 17th, 8th grade students saw the Nebraska Court of Appeals holding its annual off-site argument session at the College of Saint Mary. After the hearing, students toured the College of St. Mary. Our tour guide was a former Russell Timberwolf!

Because this was an actual hearing, cellphones were not allowed in to capture the action. You can see students touring the College of Saint Mary in the folder linked below:

• 8th College of St. Mary/NE Court of Appeals

On September 12th, 8th grade students participated in workshops with faculty members related to accounting, actuarial science, and supply chain management. Afterward, students toured the College of Business facilities. Hopefully, students who attended walked away with a better understanding of different majors that exist in college and how those majors translate into various career paths. 

Click here to see images from this seminar:

• 8th: UNL Business and Accounting

On April 23rd, students spent the morning at DLR Group engaging in lessons around the design of structures, ducts, classroom design, and school design. After the time at DLR, students learned more about the brutalist design of the Swanson Public Library. On the way back to Russell, students listened and observed mid-century design on a driving tour.

Click here to see more images of this seminar:

• 8th architecture

On March 25th, Methodist College provided an opportunity for students, who had a Clarkson seminar cancelled, to explore the fields of respiratory therapy, surgical technology, and nursing. Students learned how to properly draw medicine into a syringe in the nursing station, operated on a tumor in the surgical technology station, and tested a shake vest in the respiratory therapy station.

Click on the folder below to see more images of this seminar:

• 8th Methodist

On March 4th, 8th graders dissected a squid. Students learned how squids are used for research in related to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The learned various defense mechanisms and connected where parts of the squid differ or are similar to the human body.

Click on the folder below to see more images of this seminar:

• 8th Squid Dissection

On January 28 and 30, twelve students from Russell participated in a district mock trial with students from Beadle and North Middle. Over two days, students read one case as an attorney, read one witness role for a second trial, and participated as a member of the jury in a third trial. Dan Fischer from Koley Jessen mentored students throughout the process.

• 8th District Mock Trial Picture Folder

In 6th grade, students met roughly once per month to build community in a space with peers who may have the same talents or interests. During the week of January 7-10 and 13, we had a reunion to remember all that has happened in the time since that first meeting in 6th grade as well as complete another team challenge: a Breakout Box!

• 8th Cohort Reunion Picture Folder 

On February 4, students started the day by watching performances from Millard North and Millard West High Schools. Following these performances, students selected various workshops, including stage makeup, technology, choreography, improv, and creating centered characters. The host school, Millard South, finished the day with a performance.

• Millard Theater Festival Picture Folder

During this seminar on January 14, students interacted with STEM professionals, university representatives, and senior high school students who are passionate about these fields.

• MWHS STEM Open House Picture Folder

On November 13th, students participated in workshops around food science, aeronautics, and civil engineering. Before we left campus, students received a tour of the new Kiewit Hall on campus.

Click here to see images from our 8th grade UNL Engineering Days seminar:

• 8th UNL Engineering

On November 6th, students explored the Kiewit Luminarium understand aspects of physical science like motion, sound, light, and heat.

Click here to see images from our 8th grade Luminarium seminar:

• 8th Luminarium

On October 30th, students learned about the fields of meteorology, physical and biological sciences. After escaping the downpour, students ate at Cather dining hall before heading back to Russell.

Click here to see images from our 8th grade UNL Arts and Sciences seminar:

• 8th UNL Arts and Sciences

Over the course of two weeks, students in honors ELA prepared for and participated in a mock trial serving as lawyers/witnesses and jurors in two separate trials.

Click here to see images from our RMS mock trials:

• 8th Mock Trial at RMS

On September 27th, students attended workshops at UNL's College of Business in actuarial science, accounting, and supply chain. Prior to the workshops, students heard from former Millard HAL students who are current students in one of the College of Business' programs. After the workshops, students toured Howard Hawks Hall.

Click here to see images from our 8th grade UNL Accounting and Actuarial Science seminar:

• UNL Accounting and Actuarial Science

Click here to see images from our 8th grade Architecture seminar:

• 8th Architecture

Click here to see images from our 8th grade squid dissection:

• 8th Squid

Click here to see images from the mini-art seminar:

• 8th Grunge Cakes

Click here to see images from the district mock trial that was held at the Sarpy County Courthouse on February 2nd:

• Mock Trial Pictures

Click here to see images from UNL Engineering Days seminar on November 30, 2023.

• Clarkson College Seminar

8th grade students tested water samples and observed bison and other animals during this

Click this folder to access pictures and videos from this day!

Click here to see images from the squid extension in science class.

Squid Dissection

Click here to see images from our law seminar at Sarpy County Courthouse on March 14/16.

• Mock Trial Images

I partnered with American History teachers to provide literacy opportunities during their unit on westward expansion. Students participated in a Socratic Seminar as a way to share and learn from others through dialogue using various text and lecture sources to form conclusions.

Click here for images related to this extension:

• Westward Expansion Socratic Seminar

Click here to see images from our medical seminar at Clarkson College on February 2nd.

• Clarkson College Images

During high school registration season, Mrs. Radtke, Millard West's Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone teacher, and seniors from the AP Capstone Program visited to inform students about the program.

Students will have a chance to see senior AP Capstone research on May 16th. Sign up to attend by completing this Google Form by Friday, May 12th. 

Students participated in 4 sessions related to engineering concepts. Check out pictures and videos linked in the slideshow to the left.

Click this folder to access pictures and videos from this day!

This seminar is open to 8th graders only.

In your email, you receive a Google Form to complete prior to September 6th.

Twenty-five students will have the opportunity to go. If more than 25 sign up, a lottery system will be used to select who is going. 

Every student will be contacted via email by September 13th to know if you will or will not go on this seminar with Mrs. Dietsch.

In September, students were selected based on readiness in reading and writing skills targeted in the extension on the Great Awakening and Enlightenment period. During this extension, students analyzed various texts to draw a conclusion to this AP/IB-type essay question: To what extent did the Great Awakening/Great Enlightenment influence the American Revolution?