Madras Science

What can happen when two student groups come together with a shared vision?

Over the past year, the MHS Boys Golf Team and Environmental Club have partnered to transform one of our central courtyards into a space the entire school can enjoy. After the golf team moved thousands of pounds of soil and gravel to construct their new putting green, Environmental Club members rolled up their sleeves and removed two truckloads of rock and debris from the courtyard.

Today, on the last day of school, students spent hours working hard to prepare the area for its next phase. Thanks to their effort, we have finally reached the point where we can begin rebuilding the pond and bringing in plants to create a vibrant outdoor space for students and staff.

There is still plenty of work ahead this summer, and the project will continue into the fall, but the transformation so far has been incredible. We are proud of the dedication, teamwork, and perseverance these students have shown. What a difference a year of hard work can make!

Thank you to everyone who has helped move this project forward. We can't wait to share the next chapter of the courtyard's transformation. With a special thanks to the The Environmental Center that provided a grant to help fund this project!

It's always a great day to be a white buffalo! White buffalos have a great summer! Madras High School

Our 5th Annual College Biology field trip to the John Day Fossil Beds was another incredible adventure filled with exploration, discovery, and hands on learning. Over the course of a very long day, students traveled through millions of years of Oregon's history as we visited the Clarno Palisades, Wheeler High School Fossil Beds, Spray Riverfront Park, Thomas Condon Paleontology Center, Blue Gorge, Mascall Overlook, Painted Hills, and the Ochoco National Forest.

Students hiked through ancient volcanic landscapes, collected fossils they were able to keep, explored world class paleontology exhibits, stood among colorful badlands, and experienced some of the most spectacular scenery Oregon has to offer. Along the way, they connected concepts from biology, geology, ecology, evolution, and environmental science to the landscapes around them in ways that simply cannot be replicated in a classroom.

One of the highlights of the day was sharing dinner together beneath the towering ponderosa pines of the Ochoco National Forest. After a full day of hiking, digging fossils, and exploring Oregon's natural history, it was the perfect way to end our adventure before heading home.

By the end of the trip, everyone was tired, dusty, and ready for a good night's sleep. However, I hope our students will look back on this experience as one of the highlights of their high school science education. The opportunity to learn from the land itself, discover fossils with their own hands, and share the experience with classmates is something many will remember for years to come.

A special thank you to Ms. Swan for chaperoning and helping make the day a success, and to Erica for safely driving us across more than 300 miles of Oregon. Your support made this unforgettable learning experience possible.

Here's to five years of exploration, discovery, and adventure in the field. We can't wait to see where next year's journey takes us.

Tomorrow ... Madras High School graduation!

Journey Through Time at Fossil, Oregon

Today our CollegeNow Biology students traveled back 33 million years while digging for fossils behind Wheeler High School.

The remarkable fossils found here provide evidence of an ancient forest that was rapidly buried and preserved. Delicate leaves, seeds, and branches remain intact, suggesting a sudden event, likely linked to volcanic activity, covered the forest before the plants could decay.

Students uncovered incredible fossil leaves from this ancient ecosystem and, best of all, they get to keep the fossils they find. Each discovery helps tell the story of a much warmer, wetter Oregon that existed millions of years ago.

It's not every day you get to hold a 33-million-year-old piece of history in your hands. Madras High School

Congratulations to our 2026–2027 Madras High School Japan Club Officers!

President: Gabby Marino
Vice President: Lexi Griffin
Secretary: Brooklyn Kinlacheeny
Treasurer: Maddy Dupont

We are excited to see this outstanding group lead Japan Club in the coming year. Thank you to our outgoing president, Maria Koertje, for her leadership, dedication, and hard work this year.

The future is bright with exciting cultural events, community activities, and preparations already underway for our Japan and South Korea educational tour in June 2027.

Congratulations to our new officers. We can't wait to see what you accomplish! Madras High School

Go White Buffalos!

Congratulations to our new 2026–2027 Environmental/FNLR Club Officers! 🌎🌿

Thank you to all of our outgoing officers for your leadership, dedication, and hard work this year. A special thank you to outgoing president Kyra Weeks for the incredible impact she has made on our club and school community.

We are also so proud of our seniors who received their cords today in recognition of their commitment to environmental leadership, service, and Envirothon participation. Your passion and dedication have helped grow this program into something truly special.

2026–2027 Officers:
🌱 Co-President Elects: Paydon Mitchell & Zoe Kollen
🌱 Vice President: Madison Kathrein
🌱 Secretary: Cierra Weeks
🌱 Treasurer: Joey Cortes
🌱 Envirothon Project Lead Team 1: Cierra Weeks
🌱 Envirothon Project Lead Team 2: Josue Alejandrez
🌱 Earth Day/Arbor Day Project Lead: Cypress Toman

Thank you for stepping up to lead and make a difference for our environment and community. It is always a great day to be a White Buffalo. 💚 Madras High School

Madras High School entered two teams at the 2026 Oregon Envirothon. They took home first and third place in the future natural resource leader division! We are so proud of them!

🌊🦬 Madras High School College Environmental Science students made it to the coast!

After getting settled into our yurts at South Beach State Park students cooked dinner over the campfires before heading out for some evening beach time along the Oregon coast.

Today has already been packed with adventure and exploration. Students spent the morning tidepooling, hiking coastal ridges and exploring the lighthouse at Yaquina Head Lighthouse before visiting the incredible exhibits at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Next up is an adventure into the Newport Bay estuary with a lesson led by researchers from Hatfield Marine Science Center where students will explore marine ecology and coastal ecosystems firsthand. After that, students will enjoy dinner at Mo's Seafood & Chowder followed by some shopping and exploring around Old Town Newport and the harbor.

Hands on science, exploration and unforgettable memories all along the Oregon coast. It’s always a great day to be a White Buffalo! 🦬🌲🌊

The Madras High School Astronomy Club continues to grow into one of the most exciting student organizations on campus. This year, club members participated in Project RECON 2.0, contributing to real astronomical observations and citizen science research. President Elect Joey Cortes has been instrumental in helping lead these efforts and expanding student involvement in observational astronomy.

Looking ahead to next year, the club is planning even more community star parties, telescope observation nights, astrophotography opportunities, and hands on space science experiences for students and families across Jefferson County.

Current Co Presidents Maya Garcia and Ana Olivares have left a lasting legacy at Madras High School through their leadership, dedication, and passion for creating an inclusive and inspiring astronomy program. Their work helped grow the club into a thriving community where students can explore science, space, and discovery together under the Central Oregon night sky.