Learning in Lake Oswego

Seniors Reflect on Their LOSD Journey

This episode is a little different and a little sentimental, as it wraps up Season 3 of Learning in Lake Oswego. Each year, our students walk across the graduation stage carrying years of memories: teachers who believed in them, activities that shaped their interests, and friendships that helped define who they’ve become. We’re joined by Nathan Ko and Max Koegler, two students who have experienced nearly all of it. As student representatives to the School Board, they’ve helped shape conversations about our district’s future while finishing their own journeys. In this conversation, they reflect on where they started, the moments that mattered most, and what comes next. We also hear from parents of graduating seniors, who share reflections and advice they wish they had known from the very beginning. Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD Nathan Ko, Student, Lakeridge High School Max Koegler, Student, Lake Oswego High School To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

Navigating the College Application Journey

In this episode, we explore the college application process through multiple perspectives, with a focus on two common pathways: working with a school counselor or partnering with an independent counselor. Families often wonder what approach is “best,” and the answer, as you’ll hear, is that it depends. We’re joined by Adam Johnson, a school counselor at Lake Oswego High School, along with seniors Aiyana Flerchinger and Ben Kolman, who share their personal experiences navigating the process in different ways. Together, they offer practical insights, honest reflections, and reassurance for students and families at every stage. Whether you're just getting started or deep in the process, this episode offers clarity, perspective, and encouragement for the journey. Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD Adam Johnson, School Counselor, Lake Oswego High School Aiyana Flerchinger, Student, Lake Oswego High School Ben Kolman, Student, Lakeridge High School To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

Sustainability in our Schools

In this episode of Learning in Lake Oswego, we highlight the partnerships that bring sustainability and environmental stewardship to life in our schools. For the past five years, LOSD has partnered with the Lake Oswego Sustainability Network, Oswego Lake Watershed Council, and the City of Lake Oswego’s Sustainability Advisory Board to host the annual Sustainability Resource Fair. What began as a showcase of sustainable building practices has grown into a vibrant community event, connecting dozens of organizations and offering hands-on learning for students and families. We’re joined by two key partners in this work: Dorothy Atwood, who helps connect students with meaningful environmental learning experiences, and Leigh Campbell, founder of Shifting Gears/Gifting Gears, a program that redistributes donated bicycles to local youth. Together, they share how community collaboration is helping students learn, contribute, and take action. Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD Dorothy Atwood, Volunteer, Lake Oswego Sustainability Network Leigh Campbell, Volunteer, Shifting Gears/Gifting Gears To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

Ethics Bowl Champions in Thinking, Listening, and Leading

Lake Oswego students made history this year, sweeping the 2026 Oregon Ethics Bowl at both the middle and high school levels. Ten teams. Fifty students. And countless hours of thoughtful dialogue, collaboration, and courageous thinking. In this episode, we hear directly from four students who helped lead the way. They offer a window into what Ethics Bowl really is, and what it isn’t. This isn’t a debate. It’s not about winning an argument. It’s about listening deeply, considering multiple perspectives, and working collaboratively to explore complex, real-world ethical questions. We dive into some of this year’s topics, including the role of AI in the courtroom and how we think about exposure to different ways of life. Most importantly, this conversation highlights how students grow through the process, not just as critical thinkers, but as teammates, communicators, and leaders. Tune in to hear how Lake Oswego students are learning to navigate complexity with curiosity, empathy, and confidence, and why experiences like Ethics Bowl are shaping skills that matter far beyond the classroom. Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD Finn Kelly, Student, Lake Oswego Middle School Jai Lim, Student, Lake Oswego Middle School Sophia Lu, Student, Lake Oswego High School Norway Vo, Student, Lake Oswego High School To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

Hands-On Science: Curiosity and Discovery in Elementary Classrooms

What does science look like in an elementary classroom today? In this episode of Learning in Lake Oswego, we explore how hands-on science experiences are helping elementary students develop curiosity, critical thinking, and confidence as learners. Science instruction has evolved in many ways since many of us were in school. Today’s classrooms emphasize inquiry, experimentation, and discovery, encouraging students to ask questions, test ideas, and learn through doing. Special guests include Kelly Hutchison, an elementary teacher, and Quin Campbell, one of her students. Also joining the show is Brian Toye, the district’s science coordinator, who works closely with teachers across LOSD to support hands-on science learning, providing everything from worms and fish to batteries, circuits, and building materials that bring science concepts to life. Together, they discuss what hands-on science looks like in our elementary schools, why experiential learning matters, and how these early opportunities help students begin to see themselves as scientists. Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD Kelly Hutchison, Teacher, River Grove Elementary School Quin Campbell, Student, River Grove Elementary School Brian Toye, Science Coordinator, LOSD To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.