NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Norwin High School AP Environmental Science students and Envirothon competitors recently took their learning beyond the classroom during a field trip to the Lowber Abandoned Mine Drainage site as part of the Sewickley Creek Watershed Association Field Day. The experience gave students an opportunity to explore environmental challenges firsthand while learning about local efforts to improve water quality and protect the watershed.
Throughout the day, students rotated through a variety of hands-on activities. They tested water pH at both the mouth of the abandoned mine and the end of the site’ s treatment system, examined iron oxide and learned how it is removed from the water, and built birdhouses. Additional stations featured information from Westmoreland County Cleanways about maintaining clean waterways, as well as opportunities for students to become involved with the Sewickley Creek Watershed Association.
Learning Beyond the Classroom: Exploring Abandoned Mine Drainage
Students also learned how the site’ s passive treatment system works. Unlike some abandoned mine drainage sites, the drainage at Lowber is not acidic and can be treated using a gravity-fed system rather than pumps or chemicals. As the water moves through the system, agitation allows it to become oxygenated, causing iron oxide to settle out. The iron oxide is then dredged and sold for use as a pigment in products such as paints, stains and crayons.
The system provides an effective, low-cost approach to treating the mine drainage before the water is discharged into Sewickley Creek, a high-quality trout stream. The wetlands incorporated into the treatment area also provide habitat for a variety of wildlife, including migratory birds.
For Norwin students, the field trip provided a valuable connection between classroom concepts and real-world environmental stewardship— demonstrating how science, community partnerships and hands-on problem-solving can work together to protect local waterways.
orwin
NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Learning Beyond the Classroom
The start of a new school year brings plenty of opportunities for Norwin High School students to learn by doing. Through hands-on activities throughout the building, students are developing practical skills while building confidence, independence, and a greater understanding of how classroom learning connects to everyday life.
Through Knights Café, students are gaining real-world experience while serving staff and customers throughout the school day. Their responsibilities include handling money, tracking inventory, restocking supplies, communicating with customers, working as a team and maintaining a professional workplace environment. Students also complete weekly timesheets, giving them an opportunity to practice tracking their hours and understand the connection between work, responsibility, and earning a paycheck.
In the kitchen, students are finding creative ways to apply academic skills to everyday activities.
The school year began with a Math Cooking unit, where students prepared blueberry muffins and apple cinnamon streusel muffins. Before getting started, High School Nurse Rachel Sinclair demonstrated proper handwashing techniques, reinforcing the importance of health and safety in the kitchen.
As they followed recipes, students practiced measuring ingredients, working with fractions, counting and comparing quantities, setting oven temperatures, managing cooking times and following step-by-step directions. They also strengthened communication, teamwork, organization and problem-solving skills along the way.
From operating a school café to preparing a batch of muffins, these experiences give students opportunities to practice skills that extend well beyond the classroom. As the school year continues, students will take on new responsibilities, explore new activities and continue building the skills they can carry with them into their future.
NORWIN | FALL 2026 25