Students learn about the power of filtration at Outdoor Learning Fair. Photo by Rich Haag |
The awards, presented June 7 at Discovery Place, recognize
teachers, administrators, staff and community partners who have made
significant contributions to help students grow and learn by participating in
science, math, engineering and technology programs and activities.
Chirico, Moss and Wickliff were instrumental in creating the
inaugural K-20 STEM Outdoor Learning Fair last fall at the U.S. National
Whitewater Center for more than 300 elementary-school students.
Wickliff is assistant director of the UNC Charlotte STEM
Center. Moss recently retired from her position as Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Schools STEM director to join Discovery Education. She now is director of
global STEM initiatives, responsible for designing, developing and implementing
comprehensive STEM initiatives worldwide. At the June 7 event, Moss also
received the 2012 Michael C. Jackson Distinguished Service Award, given by the
NC Science Leadership Association in recognition of her great service to
science education.
STEM education includes programs focused on building
science, technology, engineering, and math knowledge and skills. STEM is
important because many employers worldwide seek workers with knowledge in these
subjects, and this trend is expected to continue.
Chirico and Wickliff will be leading the Catawba River
District’s second K-20 STEM Outdoor Learning Fair on Sept. 28 at the Duke
Energy Explorium. The K-20 STEM Outdoor Learning Fair serves 5th graders from
the River District’s participating schools including Gaston County’s Catawba Heights
Elementary and Ira Rankin Elementary and CMS schools Mountain Island
Elementary, River Oaks Academy and Whitewater Academy.
About The Catawba River District
The River District is a regional organization committed to
sustainable community and economic development for a 16,000-acre area including
portions of Mount Holly, Belmont and northwest Charlotte and Mecklenburg
County. Since the River District’s founding in 2008, numerous community and
education partners have responded to district’s vision and the opportunity to
transform this area into a model for “green” community and economic
development, education and regional cooperation.
The River District is a vital part of the Charlotte region’s
watershed and includes the US National Whitewater Center, the North Carolina
Educational Forest, and parts of the Carolina Thread Trail.
About Rich Haag – Rich
gained his love for the outdoors while roaming the woods and river gorge near
his upstate NY home. He has spent many vacations – one lasting eight weeks
- camping with his wife, Karen,
and their sons. Rich still roams the woods nearly every day, either walking
with Karen at Reedy Creek Nature Preserve or cycling on the Mallard Creek
Greenway.
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