St. Benedict Teacher Chosen to Take Part in the Leader Training Program Presented by Let’s Talk Science

Posted on May 25, 2023May 25, 2023 by Carlee Vendramin

Erika Weber, Science Teacher at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School has been selected for the Teacher Leader Training Program offered by Let’s Talk Science for the 2023-2024 School Year.

The Teacher Leader Training Program is a professional development opportunity for teachers looking to help other educators deliver enriching learning in the classroom through STEM. A Teacher Leader is responsible for the following:

• Support educators in STEM-based learning and teaching.
• Join other Teacher Leaders from across the country to form a community of best practices.
• Facilitate professional learning experiences for fellow educators using curriculum-aligned, easy to use resources.

Candidates participated in three levels of interviews for this unique position. Erika hopes to build confidence in her fellow educators who are not familiar with science education and assist them in feeling comfortable with completing hands-on experiments and modelling STEM in their own classrooms.

“Through this experience, I will be a permanent member of a community of passionate STEM educators from across Canada. I am hoping to gain new strategies, best practices, and resources that I can share with my colleagues at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. When passion is put to practice, it inspires others; I look forward to learning from this program so that our students can put their best foot forward in a fast-paced and competitive industry,” said Erika Weber, Science Teacher at St. Benedict C.S.S.

“Mrs. Weber’s passion for STEM education is contagious. She is continually looking for engaging and meaningful opportunities for her students, which in turn sparks a love for science. Her leadership in the areas of science, robotics, and coding has enriched St. Benedict, and I am excited to see what her next adventure brings!” said Beverly Belanger, Principal of St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School.

Let’s Talk Science is a national charitable organization committed to preparing youth for evolving career and citizenship demands in a rapidly changing world. Learn more about the Teacher Leader Training Program and the organization HERE.

Families at Pius XII School Embrace Literacy and STEM

Posted on May 4, 2023May 4, 2023 by Carlee Vendramin

Literacy and STEM night was hit at Pius XII School with many community partners in attendance. Families enjoyed the Let’s Talk Science activities put on by Cambrian College, face painting, scholastic book fair, fishpond, upcycle club, art station and much more! The school planned a memorable night as families focused on the importance of literacy while reading at home as well completed STEM activities and learned about the opportunities they have for careers in the near future!

Sudbury Catholic Schools Host Annual Science Fair

Posted on March 6, 2023March 13, 2023 by Carlee Vendramin

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board held their annual Science Fair on February 28, 2023, at St. Charles College. The fair was open to Grade 7 and 8 students.

The winners of this year’s Science Fair were as follows:

First Place/Best in Fair

Indoor Air Quality, Victoria Leigh, Marymount Academy
Do Different Music genres effect reading? Lila Ricker, Marymount Academy

Second Place

La Chaleur Contre le sol, Mila Kidd and Ayla Falcioni, Marymount Academy

Third Place

Klean Machine, Olaterere Awosika, St. Benedict C.S.S
EZ-Drain, Thomas Reich and Costantinos Urso, St. Benedict C.S.S
Sèche mains germé, Leah Serre et Paytyn Farmer, Marymount Academy
La croissance des plantes, Samantha Chow, Marymount Academy
Reveillez-vous, Leah Diotte, Marymount Academy

Most Creative

Steer Clear: The Breakaway Steering Wheel, Maggie Polischuk, Marymount Academy
Lequel est moin sale? Aven Thompson, Marymount Academy
Lumière sans électricité: Ampoule bouteille solaire, Megan Leclair, Marymount Academy
Sont les masques nos ennemis? Abigail Debruyn, Marymount Academy
15 minutes de cardio, Kiana Smith et Fae Flanagan, Marymount Academy

Best Presentation

Can climate change ruin our ski hills for good? Annabelle Richardson et Isabella Palladino, Marymount Academy
Spherification, Lua Schiewek and Louisse Apilan, Marymount Academy
Tok Tok: Germes sur les portes… Mia Dufresne, Marymount Academy

All projects listed above will proceed to the Sudbury Regional Science Fair on April 1 and 2, 2023 at Laurentian University.

Louise Franklin, Superintendent of School Effectiveness with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board said that the Fair was a fantastic way to encourage students to participate in science-based activities on a large scale.

“Our Science Fair offers students the opportunity to participate in a formal judging process alongside their peers. With an emphasis on innovation and scientific inquiry, the Science Fair allows students to develop projects through critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. A great deal of time and commitment went into these projects and all students should be extremely proud of their efforts. We would like to thank the members of the Science Fair Committee, Chris Polischuk, Martha Facchini, and Loretta Cuda, for their dedication to providing such opportunities for students at Sudbury Catholic. We are excited to see what the selected students will accomplish at the Regional Science Fair,” she said.

St. Paul School Hosts Successful STEM Night for Families

Posted on March 2, 2023March 2, 2023 by Carlee Vendramin

In partnership with Science North and learning support staff from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, the Catholic School Council at St. Paul School hosted a one-hour STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) session. St. Paul families and students enjoyed a night of hands-on learning activities as they rotated through several stations.

Students and family members were able to try out all the activities and went home with some of the things they built and a pamphlet of STEM activities they could try at home.

The night was a huge success and students left feeling inspired!

“It was really fun! I really liked making the catapults to throw the pompoms. I made it from popsicle sticks, elastics, and a plastic spoon,” said Catherine McAvoy, Grade 3 student.

“STEM night was awesome. I really liked the connector magnetic blocks that Science North brought. I built a vehicle,” said Maxx Roy, Grade 5 student.

“You could build things with marshmallows and toothpicks. I made a chair. STEM night was awesome!” said Quentyn Robillard, student in Grade 4.

“Family STEM Night brought our school community together where families were engaged in learning while having fun at the same time. STEM activities spark curiosity and prompt questions about how the world works around us. It was great to see so many of our families get involved,” said St. Paul Principal Cara Soehner.