About: Matt
- Website
- http://newriveracademy.org
- Profile
- Matt Smink grew up in Pennsylvania where he discovered whitewater on the Youghiogheny river. He earned his bachelor degree from Edinboro Pennsylvania where he studied Applied Media arts and History. Matt went on to work a variety of whitewater and outdoor jobs in the past ten years which included Raft Guiding, Video Boating, Ridgerunning on the Appalachian Trail, Ski Patrolling in the mountains of Utah and being a wilderness river ranger for the forest service on the Middle Fork and Main Salmon Rivers of Idaho. Matt returned to west virginia to work as a videographer and web developer with WELD in Fayetteville, WV. He joined the team at New River Academy in 2009 as the Media Specialist/ Marketing Director, as well as the Social Studies Teacher. Matt is now the Director of New River Academy, he has committed himself recruiting new talented students and staff, as well as organizing and running New River Academies international adventures!
Posts by Matt Smink:
Author Archive
New River Academy’s River Guide to the Rio Turbio
Monday, January 16th, 2012
Interested in Applying to New River Academy? Call Us today and we will happily answer your questions, 304-574-0403.
New River Academy kayaking in Chile
Friday, January 13th, 2012New River Academy edit from Chile. This is some of our fall semester highlights by Colin Klein.
Kalob Grady Surfing the Ottawa River with New River Academy
Friday, January 13th, 2012New River Academy Student Kalob Grady kills it on the waves of his home river The Ottawa!
Interested in Applying to New River Academy? Call Us today and we will happily answer your questions, 304-574-0403.New River Academy surfing on the Ottawa River
Friday, January 13th, 2012Here is a little Ottawa River edit from New River Academy student Colin Klein.
New River Academy Runs the Nevados in Chile
Wednesday, January 11th, 2012Here is an edit by Galen Volkhausen of New River Academy’s runs on the Rio Nevados a classic Chilean steep creek near Pucon.
Interested in Applying to New River Academy? Call Us today and we will happily answer your questions, 304-574-0403.New River Academy’s Fall Semester in Chile | Rio Claro, Rio Nevado, Rio Turbio
Saturday, January 7th, 2012Here is the video update for New River Academy’s first semester in Chile:
Video by Hunt Jennings.
Interested in Applying to New River Academy? Call Us today and we will happily answer your questions, 304-574-0403.New River Academy Article Published in Sun Valley Magazine
Thursday, June 16th, 2011
New River Academy just had an excellent article published on Sun Valley Magazine, written by our very own Kira Tenney. Check it out here: http://www.sunvalleymag.com/Sun-Valley-Magazine/Summer-2011/Get-Out-There/index.php?cparticle=2&previewmode=on&siarticle=1#artancImages From the NOC Shootout Junior Categories
Saturday, April 23rd, 2011New River Academy had an amazing weekend at the NOC shootout. We were proud to see our students and alumni sweep the podium in the Men’s and Women’s Junior Categories. Here is a slideshow of the final heats of the competition.
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New River Academy Academic Report | Physics Hydroelectric Project
Monday, March 14th, 2011For the last week of the Uganda quarter, students from all math classes and from physics class have been engaged in an exciting yet educational project! The objective of the project is to help Paul, the owner of Hairy Lemon, conduct a few preliminary measurements essential for building a hydroelectric station on a small creek to help power the island. Thus, with the request of help from Paul, Chris and I decided to create a great learning opportunity for the students.
The creek that we will be taking the measurements on.
During the first few classes, students researched on how to measure river flow rate and they came up with a few cool and practical ideas.
Me explaining to the students how to measure river height
They realized that in order to determine the flow rate, they need to measure the cross section area of the creek as well as the flow speed. After Chris and I gave them a few suggestions and some guidance, they went out and set up their measuring station. They monitored the fluctuation of water level and flow speed every two hours for 48 hours straight. Sometimes, it was quite scary to walk in the middle of the creek at night even though it was only knee-deep and 20 ft-wide. Nonetheless, with the buddy system, they all accomplished their tasks.
Taylor and Hayley doing the measurement
After they obtained all the necessary data, students learned how to use MS Excel spread sheet to model and determine volumetric flow rate of the creek. They learned how to create statistically meaningful charts and graphs to help them visualize the shape of the riverbed, water depth and flow speed fluctuations. In addition, they learned how to take average and calculate standard deviation from an array of data on Excel so that they could determine which one is the valid data to use. Most importantly, they understand better how to apply their physics concepts and mathematical skills to computer software to create a powerful tool for solving real-world problems.
The waterfall where the hydroelectric station will be installed
Unfortunately, time was too short to see the fruition of the hydroelectric station. Even so, the students have learned a great deal of useful knowledge and techniques that contributed a significant portion to the overall project. Chris and I are really proud of and excited for them to have such an opportunity to apply what them learned in class. Well done!
Young Locals at The Nile Special In Uganda
Sunday, March 6th, 2011New River Academy
Rt. 2 Box 245
Fayetteville, WV 25484
(304)- 574-0403
Fax: (304) 513-2247
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