SCOUTING FOR FOOD
Scouting for Food is a nationwide food
drive to assist local communities that are food
insecure. During the month of April, local
Boy Scouts distributed door hangers in their
neighborhoods to announce the food drive.
Scouts then return to pick up and deliver
donations to local food banks and pantries.
A Scout promises “to help other people at
all times.” Scouting for Food is the leading
service program for Boy Scouts of America
and is a part of the national BSA program
Good Turn for America. Support your
local Boy Scouts by participating in the
annual Scouting for Food drive! For more
information, visit LHC-BSA.org.
CWNC TEACHERS
HONORED
Three teachers from Cardinal Wuerl
North Catholic were recently honored for
the completion of year-long Distinguished
Educator Research Fellowships through Grow
a Generation.
Amy Murray developed a Zebrafish Aquaria
in her classroom and enabled 16 of her AP
Biology students to compete in the Pittsburgh
Regional Science and Engineering Fair doing
sophisticated experimentation on zebrafish
embryos. In addition, she is in the process
of developing a website that chronicles her
class’ experiences with zebrafish research. The
website will serve future students and other
biology teachers around the globe who will be
able to access her methods.
Murray was assisted by mentor Elizabeth
Rochon, a Postdoctoral Associate at the
Gladwin Lab, University of Pittsburgh.
Students from the AP Biology classroom
were able to visit the University of Pittsburgh
Zebrafish Aquarium and listen to the
fascinating research of Dr. Michael Tsang
during a STEM Career Tour earlier in the
year. The visit inspired the kids to look deeply
into current methods of medical research.
“Their experience with authentic science
research, one that is fed by their own curiosity,
transforms the classroom into a place where
students discover their future,” says Murray.
Beth Young, Director of the Drama
Department and Director of Forensics,
led students to develop augmented reality
experiences to enhance drama projects in the
school. Students experimented with making
media for Aurasma, an interaction app for cell
phones. They created still photography and
graphic designs in addition to digital movies
that interacted with a user’s cell phone.
Projects are archived at CWNCDrama.
weebly.com. The CWNC Drama Program
has readily moved in the direction of STEAM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts
and Math) by learning to incorporate the
technology available on its new stage, and by
looking for other ways to integrate technology
into the arts. “We are looking forward to the
continued use of technology in our drama
program. Theater, like all of the arts, needs to
look for ways that technology enhances what
the public enjoys,” says Young.
Keith Zielen, mathematics and computer
science instructor, is one of 40 teachers in
our nation to pilot a new College Board AP
program called Computer Science Principles
using the mobile CSP curriculum. His
fellowship enabled him to lead students on
the odyssey of creating a digital movie about
their experiences with this unique course.
They entered that digital video into the I5
competition where they were named finalists.
The video can be viewed at youtube.com/
watch?v=1bx5VG0wrxY. “Teaching the
course has been fun and a journey in learning
for myself as much as the class,” says Zielen.
“I hope our story inspires others to give
Computer Science another look.”
Research Fellowship is an honor bestowed
on teachers nominated by their principals.
Each seeks to elevate the school, community
and world through meaningful projects.
BREATHE PENNSYLVANIA
TO HOLD ASTHMA DAY AT
KENNYWOOD PARK
Breathe Pennsylvania will host Asthma
Day at Kennywood Park on Thursday, Aug.
3, from 10:15 a.m. until 1 p.m. The event
brings together fourth through sixth-graders,
along with their parents or caregivers, to meet
with professionals, learn about asthma, ask
questions and have fun!
Breathe Pennsylvania’s goal is to put an
emphasis on education and recreation, which
encourages children to explore activities that
they can take part in.
“Times are changing; children with asthma
want to have fun, and they are looking to
understand their asthma in ways that don’t
separate them from their peers,” says Brittany
Zuckerman, Director of Development and
Communications with Breathe Pennsylvania.
A $20 registration fee for each child with
asthma and two guests includes tickets to
the park and lunch. There is a $40 fee for
each additional guest. To register, visit store.
breathepa.org/collections/asthma/products/
asthma-day-registration or call 724.772.1750.
ABOUT BREATHE PENNSYLVANIA
Headquartered in Cranberry Township,
Breathe Pennsylvania helps western
Pennsylvanians breathe better and live
healthier by empowering individuals through
awareness, education and direct services.
For more information about specific lung
health education and advocacy programs
for children and adults, visit breathepa.
org or facebook.com/BreathePA or call
724.772.1750.
ELORAPALOOZA 12
Join in the 12th Annual Elorapalooza 5K
Run, 1-Mile Run, Walk or Lollygag! A 5-Mile
Run and Kids’ Fun Run will be new this year.
The event will take place on Sunday, July 30,
beginning at 8:30 a.m. Race-day registration
and packet pickup will start at 7:30 a.m. at the
North Park Lodge in Allison Park. All ages
and abilities are welcome.
Proceeds will jointly benefit The Leukemia
& Lymphoma Society
and Elora’s HOPE Fund,
which has awarded
scholarships to college
students majoring in
special education. The
event also supports
the Patient Life Committee at West Penn
Hospital, supporting the non-medical needs
of oncology patients and their families.
ELORA’S STORY
In April 2006, Elora, a 7th grader in the
North Allegheny School District, lost her life
after a courageous battle with leukemia.
From an early age, she had a variety of
special needs after sustaining a traumatic
brain injury. Elora had been hit by a car before
her second birthday. Despite her physical
difficulties, Elora loved 5K races. Finishing
long after the other runners crossed the finish
line never stopped her from encouraging
others along the way. She brought out the
best in others and Elora’s HOPE Fund
wants to co ntinue this tall order. A perpetual
scholarship has been established, which will
permit the awarding of scholarships forever in
Elora’s memory for local students majoring in
special education. n
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