NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Norwin Students Raise Rainbow Trout in Classroom
NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Norwin Students Raise Rainbow Trout in Classroom
Mrs. Joyce Muchoney’ s biology classes, along with her AP Environmental Science class, Conservation Club, and Envirothon Team, have been immersing themselves in a unique hands-on learning experience: raising rainbow trout in the classroom. This program, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, began in mid-January when trout eggs arrived, hatching just a few days later.
Throughout the project, students have explored water quality issues affecting Pennsylvania’ s waterways. Rainbow trout are particularly sensitive to pollution due to their small gills and adaptation to clean, cold, fast-moving streams. To support their growth, the classroom aquarium is equipped with a chiller, a bubbler, and a current to closely mimic natural conditions.
Students actively participate in every stage of the fishraising process. With guidance from Mr. Timothy Lloyd, retired
Norwin biology teacher, they help set up the aquarium, test water quality, feed the fish, and assist with water changes. This hands-on involvement teaches responsibility, scientific observation, and environmental stewardship.
In May, the trout will be released into Sewickley Creek as part of a conservation effort. The fish are triploid, meaning they have three sets of chromosomes and cannot reproduce, ensuring they won’ t compete with native brook trout populations while serving as recreational game fish.
Through this project, Norwin students gain a deeper understanding of aquatic ecosystems, the delicate balance of native species, and the importance of protecting Pennsylvania’ s waterways.
orwin
NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Norwin Students Shine at MechanicalDesignCompetition
Two teams of Norwin eighth grade students recently put their engineering skills to the test in the EQT Mechanical Design Competition at Penn State Fayette. Students first traveled to the campus on October 1, where volunteer engineers introduced them to the fundamentals of mechanical design and fluidpowered systems. During the workshop, students learned how to design and build a robotic arm capable of gripping, lifting, and moving small barrels to different locations.
Accompanied by Norwin Middle School technology education teachers Veronica Richardson and Matt Mincucci, the teams returned to Penn State Fayette for the final round of the competition on March 12. There, they competed against students from schools across Westmoreland, Fayette, and Greene counties. During the challenge, each team had two minutes to use the robotic arm they designed to move as many barrels as possible from one location to another.
Unlike the initial workshop, students were required to complete the competition entirely on their own. Teachers were not permitted to assist and could only observe from the sidelines. The only resource students were allowed to bring was the engineering journal they created during the design process, which included CAD drawings, notes, detailed task lists, and other documentation needed to rebuild their machine from scratch.
Precision and preparation played a key role in the challenge. Accurate measurements and the ability to interpret their own drawings could make the difference between a machine that performed successfully and one that failed during the competition.
Students representing Norwin in the competition included Ryker Campbell, Chase Caldwell, Zach Jordan, Jackson Manns, Lizzy Homer, Summer Wiehagen, Allie Sherwin, and Tyler Slavin.
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