Clubs & Activities
Wilbur Middle School offers many clubs and activities for students to have the chance to participate in outside classroom time activities and competitions that align with their interests. Choose from one of our many clubs and activities below to learn more.
Wilbur proudly provides a wide range of options for students!
- B.A.A.S.E
- Battle of the Books
- Chess Club
- ESports
- Future Ready Advocates
- Girls Who Code
- Improv Orchestra
- Robotics
- Science Olympiad
- Wilbur Workshop
B.A.A.S.E
CONTACT: Ms. Gaines EMAIL
š¢ Attention students! š¢
Are you ready to level up this year? Then join B.A.A.S.E — Better Academics And Social Excellence! š
In B.A.A.S.E, you’ll connect with friends, go on college visits, explore exciting careers, and build confidence through fun workshops. We meet once or twice a month, plus special events after school from 3:30 to 4:30pm.
B.A.A.S.E Sign-Up - Responses must be submitted by September 26th for 1st Semester membership
To join, you will need
- A 2.85 GPA or higher (A teacher/counselor referral will be required if GPA is 2.5-2.85)
- No office referrals
- A positive attitude and commitment to growing!
Battle of the Books
CONTACT: MS. THACKERY EMAIL
Do you love to read? We would love to have you on our Wilbur Battle of the Books team this year! Sign-up in the library and choose a list (red, blue, green or orange) and become an expert on the six books on the list. Make sure you know all about each book including the author, title, characters, problem/solution, topic and setting, so you will be ready to answer questions about the book.
In the spring, we will have a building competition against other Wilbur teams. Make sure you (the students) have discussed aspects of the books mentioned above before the school-wide competition so you are better prepared. The team who scores most points overall who represent Wilbur at the district-wide competition later in the Spring!
There are GREAT books by GREAT authors on the list! If you sign up, be sure to begin checking out the books so you can begin reading. You can discuss more details with Mrs. Thackery (librarian). Please attend any and all meetings regarding Battle of the Books if you have any interest! Listen for announcements.
Ready to start reading? This year's list is posted below...so grab the books and start reading!
Below is the link to the color classified list of BOB titles. Students typically create teams of 3-4 students, designate students to read all books from a specific color list, then come together to discuss book details as a team before competition. Some teams prefer to read all books on the list as a whole - it is entirely up to the team how they approach this!
Battle of the Books 2024-25
Chess Club
ESports
CLUB CONTACT:
MR. COLFLESH EMAIL
Esports is competitive video gaming. We play Rocket League, Fortnite, Valorant, and several others. Once each year, USD 259 will host a Rocket League tournament with prizes.
Meeting day: Monday (for 5 weeks in 1st semester and 5 weeks in 2nd semester)
Meeting time: 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Future Ready Advocates
CLUB CONTACT: Ms. Gaines EMAIL
Future ready advocate mentoring for at-risk students
Meeting days will be Wednesdays during lunch in the conference room.
Girls Who Code
CLUB CONTACT: MRS. SMITH EMAIL
Girls Who Code works to inspire, educate, and equip girls with the computing skills needed to pursue 21st century opportunities.
Join the movement to end the gender gap in technology! Learn how to code to change the world by joining our Club.
Mrs. Smith- advisor- meeting on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30- starting October 10th.
Improv Orchestra
CONTACT: MS. AMIR EMAIL
This audition-only extra-curricular orchestra for 2nd and 3rd year players meets on Mondays (and occasional Tuesdays) after school from 3:20-4:00pm. We learn fun and challenging music as well as performing skits and telling jokes. If you are interested in joining, contact Ms. Amir in room 613 or email Ms. Amir.
Robotics
CONTACT:
COACH LITTLEFIELD EMAIL
Wilbur Advanced Robotics (W.A.R.) was founded to allow students at Wilbur Middle School the opportunity and means to construct working robots to enter into VEX Robotic Competitions. Students are strengthening their designing, building, and programming skills. Students are learning first-hand how the design process is critical to the success of their robot as well as how building technique is important to robot structural integrity!
This program encourages them to explore careers in the STEM field. We were one of the first registered middle school VEX Competition teams in the state of Kansas and we were the first Wichita school to host a VEX Tournament. Each year students design and build a robot that best fits with playing the current VEX Competition game. This year the game is PUSH BACK - click to see the game! Next year there will be a new game and a new challenge to design and build for.
ROBOTICS COMPETITIONS
11-6-2025 Air Capitol Showdown at Century II
-More updated soon.
VEX Robotics Competition at Wilbur
Science Olympiad
CONTACT -
MR. ELSEN EMAIL
MR. HUTSON EMAIL
MS. ENGELKING EMAIL
Science Olympiad is a competitive STEM team that takes on schools from across the state of Kansas at tournaments in 23 events, like fossil identification, bridge building, and many more.
Meeting days: Monday - Thursday (Saturday tournaments)
Meet times: 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Wilbur Workshop
SPONSOR -
MS. VANSTEENBURG EMAIL (316)973-1033
APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR ARE NOW AVAILABLE. PLEASE SEE THE INFORMATION FROM MS. VANSTEENBURG BELOW.
Wilbur Workshop is a group of students who are held to higher standards. We work daily to advocate for students and encourage school pride. We attend local leadership conferences. Wilbur Workshop greets the new students on orientation day, and we help with lockers. We, also work in our community by volunteering at local nursing homes, participate in the annual district turkey drive, collect items for Operation Holiday and have spirit days for students. Wilbur Workshop worked to get Kona Ice and Salt Light Confections out every two weeks for the students to purchase and enjoy during recess.
Thank you "Let's Roam" for your generous donation of scavenger hunt tickets to support Wilbur Workshop! Your in-kind donation will help us raise morale and bring our community together. If your nonprofit is looking for an in-kind donation, visit https://www.letsroam.com/donations
https://www.letsroam.com/scavenger_hunt/Wichita_Scavenger_Hunt #letsroam
Wilbur Workshop
Expectations 2025-2026
Thank you for showing interest in Wilbur Workshop. Wilbur is relying on student leaders from 6th to 8th grades to be exceptional role models, positive, motivated, hardworking, reliable, and willing to serve. Please take a moment to look over the following expectations as you consider if Wilbur Workshop is the “right fit” for you.
Wilbur Workshop is a position in leadership. You will need to plan, organize, advertise, prepare, execute, and evaluate activities for Wilbur. You will need to be self-motivated and able to work individually on your assignments, as well as be a strong team player – working hard and paying attention to detail. Members will be expected to be positive role models and make a positive difference at Wilbur.
Wilbur Workshop members will be required to maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher and display positive behaviors in the classroom. Grades will be closely monitored, and students will be placed on probation or dismissed if needed. Attendance will be monitored, missing more than 5 days in either semester will constitute being placed on probation and possible dismissal from Wilbur Workshop
Wilbur Workshop members will also be expected to attend meetings and activities. Additional work time will be scheduled before and after school and during lunch time. Members may be asked to miss classes to conduct Wilbur Workshop business. Students will be required to gather and complete any missed work prior to being absent.
Wilbur Workshop members will also be required to complete a total of 10 service hours within the Wilbur community and for Wilbur.
Wilbur Workshop will be divided into specific jobs, each having its own description to be determined: president, vice-president, secretary along with grade level representatives.
All Wilbur Workshop members are expected to be supportive and positively promote Wilbur Middle School. Failure to be positive and supportive may result in probation or dismissal. Our goals are to unify, encourage, and support Wilbur Middle School.
Wilbur Workshop Application
Please submit your answers using an electronic format and email your responses at tvansteenburg@usd259.net
Please include basic contact information:
Name, current grade, phone #, email address
1. Introduce yourself… Who are you? What is it that makes you, YOU?
2. Why would you like to be in Wilbur Workshop? What contributions can you offer as an effective leader at Wilbur?
3. What top three qualities do you possess as a leader? How can these qualities strengthen Wilbur Workshop and our school?
4. Share an example of a time you served in a leadership role. How did you lead and how did others react to your leadership skills?
5. Describe the importance of being part of a leadership team?
6. What is a problem that you have seen at Wilbur and want to fix?
7. What do you think Wilbur Workshop can do for our school?
8. What is your plan for maintaining grades/organization if selected?
9. Do you feel comfortable publicly speaking and presenting? If no, explain.
Also, include your current GPA and attendance this semester.
You will need two teacher recommendations. They will need to email me as well.
DUE: May 2nd, will not be accepted after this date.
Best of Luck,
Ms. VanSteenburg
Wilbur Workshop sponsor
