Exploring Concepts of STEM and Advanced STEM Concepts Tour CTC and WRI

On April 22^nd, both Exploring Concepts of STEM and Advanced STEM Concepts classes participated in a tour of Windber Research Institute (WRI) and Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC).  The field trip was generously sponsored by the Central Cambria Education Foundation.  The students were exposed to cutting edge science, technology, and engineering that is taking place right in our own backyard!  The students met many different scientists and engineers and were able to get a firsthand look at what their careers involve.  It was an outstanding trip for all those who participated.  Thank you again to the CCEF for making this trip possible!

St. Francis University WWII Presentations

On Friday, April 22^nd, my students were able to connect with history in a way most high school students are never able to.  Dr. Sarah Myers from St. Francis University and her Public History students brought in World War II Artifacts that were actually used during the war.  The items were displayed throughout my classroom and students were able to travel to each station in order to gain insight into the various topics.  The topics that the St. Francis students presented on were WWII uniforms, WWII weapons, WWII propaganda, WWII Letters Home, WWII Medals, WWII Medical Kits, and WWII Music.  My students had a blast interacting with living pieces of history and made the WWII Era something much more than just a story.  I have been in touch with Dr. Myers and she informed me that they will be opening a WWII Museum in Loretto, that will include all of the pieces that they brought to my class as well as much more.  Overall, the presentations were amazing and made Friday one of the most impactful days I’ve had as a student or an educator.  

STEM Professions Day at UPJ

On Wednesday, April 13^th, twenty Exploring Concepts of STEM and Advanced STEM Concepts students attended STEM Professions Day at UPJ.  The event kicked off with a welcome at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center.  The students chose to attend three different workshops from choices such as:  Candy Electrophoresis, Marshmallow Mechanics, How to Detect a Lie, Concrete Canoe, Technology in Nursing and Allied Health, Water Rocketry, and CSI: Pitt-Johnstown.  UPJ provided lunch for the students and then hosted a science show for the afternoon session.  Professor David Willey is a physics professor at UPJ.  He is also known as the “mad-scientist”.  Professor Willey put on an hour long show demonstrating many science principles in a very entertaining and “explosive” manner!  It was great trip filled with lots of fun and learning! 

Shelly Craft from the Penn State Extension Office

Shelly Craft from the Penn State Extension Office visited Cambria Elementary’s 4th grade Science classes on Monday April 18th to discuss watersheds- the area that drains to a common waterway, such as a stream, lake, wetland, or even the ocean. She demonstrated to the students how our individual actions directly affect the watershed we live in, as well as, how working together we can protect our nation’s water resources.

2nd Grade Water Cycle Animation

JES second grade classes used the Stop Animation app on the ipads to create animations of the water cycle during computer class.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e52LzLuSpnM&feature=youtu.be