Independent Studies at Johnson Ferry's robotics team, Transformers, won the Georgia State Championship at Georgia Tech in February, qualifying the team to advance to the First Lego League World Festival at the Georgia Dome and Georgia World Congress Center on April 17-19. More than 84 teams from around the world are expected to compete.

Johnson Ferry's Independent Studies team placed third in performance and first place overall in the state competition. Team members are Ian Berryman, Emma Hargrave, Jake Harris, Christi Hodges, Austen Schunk and Catherine Schunk coached by Steve Hargrave and Andy Harris.

Technology in classroom shown

Interactive classroom technology, including whiteboards —- the chalkboards of the 21st century —- was demonstrated by students and teachers currently using the new technology in their classrooms at the Cobb 21st Century User Forum on March 4 in Floyd Middle School's auditorium.

The forum is part of a pilot project in Cobb County schools to create 21st century classrooms.

Kennesaw offers music clinic

Kennesaw State University's Department of Music is offering its second annual music clinic for high school students with the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra June 8-13 in KSU's new Dr. Bobbie Bailey & Family Performance Center. The clinic is for student instrumentalists, pianists and guitarists. Registration is open through May 24.

Students will interact with 24 members of KSU's music faculty, many of whom perform with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Opera Orchestra or Cobb Symphony Orchestra.

They will study music, theory, history, conducting and improvisation while taking part in master classes in their instrument and playing in large and small ensembles.

Senior shares honor with teacher

Marietta High senior Margaret "Kate" Godwin and her first-grade teacher, Freda Hubbard Pittard at West Side Elementary, were among this year's STAR program honorees. Godwin was the SAT high scorer at Marietta High. She chose Pittard as the teacher who helped her on her academic path.

Godwin is a National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist.

The Metro-Marietta Kiwanis Club sponsored the STAR Student banquet Feb. 25 at Marietta's First United Methodist Church.

Home school meeting planned

The Teacher's Orchard, a home school bookstore, is hosting a Homeschool Town Hall meeting with Rep. Ed Setzler at Orchard Learning Academy, 3901 Mary Eliza Trace, Marietta, at 10 a.m. March 15.

Home school families can address legislative issues that affect home schoolers, including vouchers, driver's license laws and accountability. Information: Call Cara Ellison at 678-290-8500.

Cheerleading tryout information

Pope High's junior cheerleading tryout informational meeting will be March 24 in the school's media center at 6 p.m. Tryouts will be April 21-24 in the school auxiliary gym. Information: Go to Popejrcheer.com.

Davis classmates to study mummies

Staff of Emory University's Carlos Museum will teach Davis Elementary second- and third-grade gifted students the process of mummification and its importance to the ancient Egyptians during a visit of the museum's Mummy Mobile to the school from 10 to 11 a.m. March 10.

Children will prepare the portrait mask, broad collar, amulets and jewelry while the mock mummy is readied for burial.

Students take on historic roles

Eighty fourth-graders at Davis Elementary will dress in costumes representing famous Americans in history during its American Revolution Living History Wax Museum presentation today at 6 p.m. and at 7 p.m. at the school.

Class gets call from China

Peace Corps volunteer David Humphries recently called from China to give students in his mother's, Cindy Humphries,' class at Cheatham Hill Elementary a firsthand account of his experiences serving as a community development and English teacher volunteer in another country. Peace Corps Week was celebrated internationally Feb. 25 through March 3.