Today the Hunter Safety PBL course went to the Sportsman’s Shooting Club for their Hunter Safety test! Students had a great experience learning how to safely shoot a bow, rifle, and shotgun while also reinforcing the importance of firearm safety, responsibility, and conservation. A huge thank you to the wonderful volunteers who took the time to share their knowledge and skills with our students throughout the day.
It was great to see such a respectful and engaged group of young people learning outdoor skills and gaining an appreciation for safe hunting practices and conservation. The future of Iowa’s outdoors is in good hands!
It was great to see such a respectful and engaged group of young people learning outdoor skills and gaining an appreciation for safe hunting practices and conservation. The future of Iowa’s outdoors is in good hands!





Mr. Carpenter’s PBL class has been putting solar energy to the test in some pretty awesome ways! Students recently made mac and cheese using solar power and have also learned how to power a Chromebook cart, watch a movie, boil eggs, and even make toast using energy from the sun.
The class also had the opportunity to visit an off-grid cabin that was powered entirely by solar energy. Seeing a real-life example of solar power in action helped students better understand how energy can be used efficiently in everyday life.
Through these hands-on experiences, students have developed a strong understanding of wattage and how much energy different appliances use. It’s been a fun and engaging way to connect science, energy, and real-world problem solving!
The class also had the opportunity to visit an off-grid cabin that was powered entirely by solar energy. Seeing a real-life example of solar power in action helped students better understand how energy can be used efficiently in everyday life.
Through these hands-on experiences, students have developed a strong understanding of wattage and how much energy different appliances use. It’s been a fun and engaging way to connect science, energy, and real-world problem solving!









A huge thank you to Here's 2U and Glenn for welcoming Mr. Carpenter’s PBL class! 🍕Students learned about how a local restaurant operates and got to hear many fun pizza facts from Glenn — including that pepperoni is the most ordered pizza! The class also enjoyed learning about the pizza-making process and seeing what it takes to run a successful small-town restaurant. We truly appreciate Glenn’s support of our students, school, and community. Thank you for a great experience!





A huge thank you to Pizza Palace and MaryBeth for welcoming Mr. Carpenter’s PBL class!
Students enjoyed getting a behind-the-scenes look at the pizza-making process. After learning and asking questions, each student got to create their very own personal pan pizza! 🍕 We truly appreciate MaryBeth’s continued support of our school, students, and community. Experiences like these help bring real-world learning to life for our students! Thank you again to Pizza Palace!
Students enjoyed getting a behind-the-scenes look at the pizza-making process. After learning and asking questions, each student got to create their very own personal pan pizza! 🍕 We truly appreciate MaryBeth’s continued support of our school, students, and community. Experiences like these help bring real-world learning to life for our students! Thank you again to Pizza Palace!








Thanks to CMH Sumner and especially to Shannon, Megan and Jeff for coming in to the "Babysitters Club" PBL to teach our students about first aid, CPR, and fire safety. We also practiced placing 911 calls and following the instructions of a dispatcher while performing chest compressions and breaths. Our babysitters are gaining life saving skills all while having fun!










Building the future! 🏗️✨ Mr. Schmitt's PBL class took a field trip to Steege Construction to see how blueprints become reality. From hard hats to high-rises, they learned that every great structure starts with a plan and teamwork! 👷♀️👷♂️




Court is officially in session in Mrs. Priebe’s & Mrs. Koch's Mock Trial PBL!
Our defense and prosecution teams are hard at work digging through evidence, analyzing witness statements, building arguments, and preparing their cases for trial. Students are learning how to think critically, collaborate as a legal team, and present persuasive arguments just like real attorneys.
Will the prosecution prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt? Or will the defense uncover enough evidence to create doubt in the minds of the jury?
Stay tuned as our courtroom drama unfolds!
Our defense and prosecution teams are hard at work digging through evidence, analyzing witness statements, building arguments, and preparing their cases for trial. Students are learning how to think critically, collaborate as a legal team, and present persuasive arguments just like real attorneys.
Will the prosecution prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt? Or will the defense uncover enough evidence to create doubt in the minds of the jury?
Stay tuned as our courtroom drama unfolds!










Mrs. Sorenson's and Mrs. Rucker's PBL class, "Fuel to Win" made protein balls today and planned nutritious pre-game, recovery, and post-game meals to fuel our bodies to enable us to edge out the competition! Yesterday we learned the importance of hydration and made several versions of home-made Gatorade. Yum!






Mrs. Haught and Ms. Laue took their PBL class to Sumner today to explore Main Street, local parks, and the many amenities the community has to offer! Although the weather was wet and chilly, students made the most of the day while learning more about the town and gathering ideas through hands-on experiences. Great job representing our school out in the community!




Students in Mr. Nuss’s Project-Based Learning class are exploring how small-town movie theaters stay afloat as the costs of everyday life continue to rise. Students had the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of running a small-town theater and everything that goes into keeping it operating successfully. 🎬🍿
A huge thank you to the Sumner Sunset Movie Theatre for taking the time to share their knowledge and give our students a behind-the-scenes look at their business!
A huge thank you to the Sumner Sunset Movie Theatre for taking the time to share their knowledge and give our students a behind-the-scenes look at their business!

Mr. Tranbarger’s Project-Based Learning Hunters Education class practiced important tree stand safety skills! Students learned the process of safely setting up a deer stand and properly securing a safety harness. It was a great hands-on learning experience focused on outdoor safety and responsibility.



Mrs. Haught and Ms. Laue took the “Welcome to the Cougar Community” class on a scavenger hunt around the town of Fredericksburg this morning! Students explored local landmarks and businesses while gathering ideas for their welcome directory booklets. It was a great way to learn more about the community and discover what makes Fredericksburg such a special place to call home!





Mr. Nuss and Ms. Avenson took their Project-Based Learning class to Plum Creek Golf Course to learn the basics of putting and keeping score in golf! ⛳️ As part of their project, students are designing and creating their own 9-hole golf course, with each student responsible for creating one unique hole. We can’t wait to see their creativity come to life!








Today, our SFMS Wellness Workshop PBL class took a field trip to Volare’ Esthetics in Lawler. A special shoutout to Dawn, the owner, who gave us a tour of her spa and explained all the wellness services they provide. We also got to check out her gym as well. The girls said this was the BEST field trip ever!



In the Wild Iowa Project-Based Learning class, Mr. Tranbarger and Ms. Avenson took students to Plum Creek in Fredericksburg to do water testing! Students were very interested in learning how the quality of the water around us can impact both people and wildlife after completing their tests.










🕵️♀️🎙️ The Cougar Case Files with Mrs. Maher and Mrs. Haught are underway! Students are stepping into the world of investigative storytelling as they work to create their own true crime podcasts.
Using the Iowa Cold Case deck, students are examining famous unsolved cases, learning about the victims, analyzing evidence, and thinking critically about how investigators work to crack a case. Students are preparing to respectfully share these stories while building research, collaboration, and communication skills along the way.
We can’t wait to hear the final podcasts! 🎧🐾
Using the Iowa Cold Case deck, students are examining famous unsolved cases, learning about the victims, analyzing evidence, and thinking critically about how investigators work to crack a case. Students are preparing to respectfully share these stories while building research, collaboration, and communication skills along the way.
We can’t wait to hear the final podcasts! 🎧🐾



Mr. Nuss and Ms. Avenson took their Project-Based Learning class to Plum Creek Golf Course to learn the basics of putting and keeping score in golf! ⛳️ As part of their project, students are designing and creating their own 9-hole golf course, with each student responsible for creating one unique hole. We can’t wait to see their creativity come to life!








Big ideas are turning into dream homes! Our students are hard at work designing, planning, budgeting, and building their own houses during Project-Based Learning. From blueprints to 3D models, creativity and problem-solving are on full display!




Mrs. Kenan and Mrs. Koch’s students had a fun time learning how to make and can strawberry jam! 🍓🫙Students learned the step-by-step process of making homemade jam, how to safely use the water bath canning method, and the importance of preserving food to make it last longer. After all of their hard work, students enjoyed tasting the homemade jam over a bowl of ice cream ! 🍨🍓
Next week, students will continue building their cooking and food preservation skills by making homemade butter, buttermilk pancakes, and biscuits to pair with their delicious strawberry jam. We can’t wait!
Next week, students will continue building their cooking and food preservation skills by making homemade butter, buttermilk pancakes, and biscuits to pair with their delicious strawberry jam. We can’t wait!










On May 6, the Okoboji No Boundaries student PR team visited our current 7th graders to share what this exciting program offers—and they did an outstanding job!
No Boundaries Northeast gives 8th grade students the chance to take learning beyond the classroom and into the real world. Students collaborate with local businesses and organizations, tackle real challenges, and create meaningful solutions that make an impact.
Through hands-on, student-driven experiences, participants build STEM skills, strengthen teamwork and communication, and grow as confident problem-solvers.
Interested current 7th graders are encouraged to apply for next school year. We can’t wait to see No Boundaries Northeast launch this fall!
No Boundaries Northeast gives 8th grade students the chance to take learning beyond the classroom and into the real world. Students collaborate with local businesses and organizations, tackle real challenges, and create meaningful solutions that make an impact.
Through hands-on, student-driven experiences, participants build STEM skills, strengthen teamwork and communication, and grow as confident problem-solvers.
Interested current 7th graders are encouraged to apply for next school year. We can’t wait to see No Boundaries Northeast launch this fall!


