Students at Marymount Academy had a very unique opportunity on Friday, October 12, 2012. Classes from four different grades took part in what could be the world’s largest science lesson. Students from a grade 7, 8, 10 and 12 science class took part in the attempt at a world record for the largest practical science lesson with the hopes of inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records. Alongside thousands of other Canadians, different groups took part in this activity across Canada as the official launch of National Science and Technology Week 2012 through Science.gc.ca.
Following strict guidelines, students had to sign in, and the entire activity was documented with time-stamped video and pictures to ensure the group was following the outlined rules. After a brief video introduction from Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, the students watched another short clip that demonstrated the two different experiments – “the Kissing Balloons” and “the Water Mister”. Using simple materials such as balloons, string, plastic cups and water provided at each table, the students then worked together in groups to perform both experiments and document their findings. Working in the school’s cafeteria, giggles and laughter could be heard throughout as each student worked through their part of the experiment. Marymount science teacher Lise Callahan was the organizer for the event and made sure she followed all outlined instructions for her students to be included in this monumentous event. “It seemed pretty simple at first,” Callahan remarked. “Just sign up the students and provide the materials… however, I quickly realized that it was a much more involved process. We have to ensure that everything is done properly to be included in the world record attempt. The students have been quite excited leading up to this event and we are thrilled to be a part of it! At Marymount Academy, we have really outstanding students and knew that their level of enthusiasm for this project would be really high. I am proud of our school for participating and can’t wait to see if we do actually set the record!” All of the participants have to have their results sent by October 19 and would find out soon after if their attempt was successful for inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Category: Student Achievement
St. Raphael Students Work to Establish New World Record
Grade 8 students from teacher Marilyn Barbeau’s class prepare to lead St. Raphael Catholic Elementary students in an amazing 30 minute Science feat. On October 12, 2012, the students will work to establish a new Guinness World Record for the Largest Practical Science Lesson at multiple locations. Thousands of Canadian students will take part in this endeavour at the same time all across Canada. Stay tuned to learn if this industrious student body gets into the record book. For more information, you can visit Science.gc.ca.
Marymount Academy Student Experiences a Summer of Science
This past summer, one Marymount Academy Student had the opportunity of a lifetime. Sandy Qiu, a grade 12 student, spent six weeks taking part in the elite Summer Immersion Program at the Deep River Science Academy in Deep River, Ontario. What started off as a suggestion from one of her friends, resulted in her participation an intensive co-op program focusing on hands on science. At this academy, exceptional high school students actively participate in research, perform experiments, as well as listen to guest lecturers on various science topics. The students also had the opportunity to participate in numerous recreational activities and meet like-minded students from across Canada. All of the successful participants in the program are awarded two high school co-op credits in acknowledgment of their hard work and dedication. Qiu’s project, titled, “Antimony Adsorption on Zirconium Hydroxide in Aqueous Solutions” was completed alongside a University tutor and Scientific Supervisor.
Deep River Science Academy Program Director, Danielle Martin was pleased to have Qiu as part of the science program. “Sandy Qiu was a wonderful addition to our program this summer,” Martin stated. “ She was an excellent ambassador of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board and we hope that her attendance instils a sense of pride within your Board. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful student with us this summer.”
Qiu felt that it was an exceptional experience and was glad to have been chosen to take part in it. “It was great to be able to be a part of such a unique program,” Qiu stated. “I was so fortunate to be selected to be one of the participants and it was really an outstanding experience. It is definitely something I would like to continue with in the future.”
St. Charles College Hockey Hopeful- One to Watch For
He’s just a fourteen year-old St. Charles College student but he’s already dreaming big. Cameron Lizotte hopes to one day see his NHL jersey grace the walls of the St. Charles College gymnasium and he’s hoping his big break next month might put those wheels in motion.
Lizotte has been selected as one of the top 42 bantam-aged hockey players in Canada by the National Hockey League Players’ Association hosted by former NHLer Gary Roberts. The title means he has been invited to the second annual Allstate All-Canadian Mentorship Camp working with some of the best in the NHL.
Cameron says many of the players who participate in the program become first round draft picks in the Western and Ontario Hockey Leagues when they turn fifteen years of age.
Lizotte is one of two northern Ontario boys participating in the Mentorship Camp from July 17th to the 21st. The other is Blake Speers of Sault Ste. Marie. The week will conclude with an exhibition game that will be broadcast nationally on TSN Saturday, July 21st at 1 p.m.
Lizotte currently plays for the Copper Cliff Redmen. In August, he’ll represent Team Canada’s under-16 team in Austria.
St. Anne Angels “Read Their Way To The Top”
For the past two years, junior students at St. Anne School in Hanmer have been participating in an event called “The Battle of the Books”. The competition is open to students from the different Sudbury Boards. The event helps encourage a love of reading by its participants. This year, the St. Anne Angels, under the direction of Sudbury Catholic Board teacher Denise Desmarais, took second place at “The Battle of the Books” competition that was held Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at the Radisson Hotel in Sudbury. The competition, which is an annual event organized by the Sudbury Public Library, requires students in grades four, five and six to read up to 30 books and then respond to questions about them. Throughout the school year, students read, meet, and discuss the selections that have been outlined to all students entered within the competition. This year, 15 schools from the Sudbury District entered the battle. The student team from St. Anne placed second in the event and were able to take home silver medals. Coach Denise Desmarais praised her team for their great effort and recognized that the final results between first and second place were very close. The staff and students at St. Anne are very proud of their “Battle of the Books” team and all of their hard work. Your enjoyment of reading has really opened up a world full of exciting stories and has sparked your interests for years to come. Way to go Angels!
St. Ben’s Pulls Out All the Stops!
Members of the St. Benedict Championship Boys Football team recently participated in the 1st annual Crime Stoppers Fire Truck pull. Our Bears sure made quite the impact in the event!
Team members consisted of from left to right.
Emilio Frometa
Alex Vendramin
Alex Insinna
Assistant Head Coach – John MacLean
Troy Kingsbury
Carter Long
Head Coach – Frank Rocca
Spencer Dailey
Erick Lessard
Tim Coffey
missing from picture – Brandon Sullivan
The Bears were in 3rd place after the 1st heat, but in the second heat, the team posted the fastest time of the event.
The Bears captured the award for most team spirit, but ended up finishing 2nd, only losing the 1st place trophy by two tenths of a second.
St. Benedict’s Principal, Laura Kuzenko, and Benny the St. Benedict Bear, present a cheque at the event for $500 to members of the Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers’ team – Brook Johnston, Office and Event Coordinator and Bert Lapalme, Police Coordinator.
Congratulations goes out to all team members. The Bears hope to make the event an annual tradition.
Marymount Academy Student Selected as Youth Ambassador for National French Forum
With a French father, and an English mother, Amanda Daigle knew that speaking both of Canada’s official languages would be an asset in her life. As a result, the grade 11 Marymount Academy student has been in French Immersion her entire academic career, and this year, it has provided her with an amazing opportunity. Daigle has been selected as one of thirty students from across the country to be a youth ambassador at the National Ambassador Youth Forum (Le Forum National des jeunes Ambassadeurs) which provides bilingual high school students the chance to meet like-minded student leaders from across the country. This event is hosted by French for the Future, a non-profit student-centred educational program that encourages and promotes bilingualism in Canada.
The one week forum will be taking place in Edmonton, Alberta, in which students will learn about diverse career paths and possibilities, take part in unique cultural events, as well as share their experiences and discuss the challenges and advantages of learning two languages. This opportunity came about from her teacher Christine Masimiliano. Masimiliano informed her class about the forum and Daigle decided that this was something she wanted to apply for. After writing her own letter explaining why she would be a great candidate, Daigle also had to provide two letters of recommendation to support her application. At the end of April, she got the call. This all expenses paid trip is something that Daigle is very, very excited for. “I am so grateful for this opportunity,” Daigle stated. “Not only will it allow me to strengthen my French-language skills, but I will get to make new friends, and learn how to be a better leader in my community.” Daigle is no stranger to being a leader, as she often takes part in community service activities in Sudbury, as well as being a part of the Girl Guides of Canada for many years. “I am very honoured to have been chosen to join the 29 other students for this national forum,” Daigle said. “French Immersion has opened many doors for me in the past, and I am confident that being selected as a youth ambassador for this national French forum will continue to open doors for me in the future!”
St. Raphael School helps rule out Diabetes and Participates in Sudbury Rocks!
On Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13, students from St. Raphael School participated in the 5K Sudbury Rocks! run/walk for Diabetes. Students trained after school to prepare for the run. Eighteen students and Teacher Ms. Reynolds ran on Sunday. Students were also encouraged to collect pledges for this worthy cause. Over $1340.00 was collected by the Royals to help rule out Diabetes! It was a great way to help the community and to keep fit and stay healthy!
SCDSB Hosts Third Annual Turning Points Essay Awards Ceremony
Students, parents, teachers and invited guests gathered at the Sudbury Catholic District Board office on May 9, 2012 to take part in the SCDSB’s third annual Turning Points Essay Contest Awards ceremony. This essay contest is an initiative which stems from the Learning Partnership which is an organization that champions a strong public education system to deliver innovative programs, credible research, policy initiatives, executive leadership and public engagement across Canada. Turning Points is a character development and literacy program that allows students to reflect on their fundamental values and, through a process of self-reflection and dialogue, write a narrative essay about a significant event, or turning point in their lives. As it is the third year, student participation has continued to grow as teachers have continued to encourage their involvement with this rewarding program. The secondary students that took part in this contest and authored the winning essays were awarded plaques, a copy of the publication, as well as monetary awards at Wednesday night’s celebration. The students were honoured for their efforts and several students had the opportunity to read their essays allowed. The audience was visibly moved by these emotional accounts and several of the teachers involved spoke of the courage and strength of their students to be able to write such heart-felt accounts of their experiences. Allison Cameron, a Marymount English teacher was the master of ceremonies at this event and was visibly moved after the students read aloud their essays. “Even after being involved with this initiative for three years, I am never really prepared for the poignant words our students have written and shared with others,” Cameron stated. “The courage of these students to express their deepest feelings and emotions about their life’s turning point is so powerful – for the student, and their families.” Catherine McCullough, Director of Education for the Board echoed Cameron’s sentiments. “I am thrilled that the this program once again met with such success, and am so honoured that our students have courageously shared their most personal and meaningful life experiences. We are certainly overwhelmed by their talent and honesty involved in this writing experience.”