I asked Meagan Hopkins-Dower how she thought iPraxis’ involvement with Northwood Academy’s science fair added a special value to the students’ education, here’s her response:

I have always thought of the science fair as a way for the students to explore science in their own terms and investigate topics that interest them, but are not necessarily covered by the curriculum.  By being a home project, it is also a way for students to apply the information they gain in school to a real question of their own design.  When outside scientists and engineers (from iPRAXIS) come in to judge and talk to the students, they give value to the students’ work.  It changes the project from a school assignment to something that can be a point of pride for the students.  As a former teacher, there have been multiple instances where several years afterward, students will contact me asking about their projects.  Not only do the students think of their science fair projects as more important, but the iPRAXIS judges give advice for future projects and are ACTUAL SCIENTISTS who are clearly professionals and yet attainable to the students.

After Northwood’s Science Fair, selected students will work weekly with iPRAXIS volunteers (Scienteers) to refine their projects in preparation for Philadelphia’s city-wide Science Fair, George Washington Carver Science Fair, in March.  The students work one-on-one with a Scienteer and are able to really make their projects more competitive.  The Scienteers guides the students through each step of the scientific method.  This is crucial as many families do not have the scientific knowledge to provide this high level of support for the students.  Again, this process lends credeance to the student’s efforts as the Scienteer acts as a resource for the student and the student learns how continual evaluation is used by working scientists/engineers.  While discussing the student’s project, the Scienteer also will discuss his or her career and educational background.  This mentoring aspect of iPRAXIS exposes students to careers of which the students may previously have been unaware.

iPRAXIS also supports Northwood’s students by providing civil engineering mentors to help lead an afterschool engineering club.  We coordinate guest speakers who range from University of Pennsylvania Cell and Molecular Biology graduate students to John McNeil, the President and CEO of the Eastern Regional Treatment Center Cancer Treatment Centers of America.  The presenters come to Northwood and speak to the students about their careers, educational paths, what makes science so fascinating, and expose students to scientific topics that support the curriculum.  Finally iPRAXIS has supported supplemental science curriculum by providing scientific materials and professional development to Northwood’s science teacher in the past.

Meagan

The January 5th meeting of the Frankford Civic was very well attended with over 25 people in the conference room on the 2nd floor at Aria Health.  There were 3 zoning issues on the agenda for the meeting.

The owner/residents of the house at 1619 Haworth Street were seeking approval for modifications made after a fire in the building.  The Board voted to approve their application.

1619 Haworth Street

The owner and architect of the building at 4134 Orchard Street are looking to convert unused warehouse space into 2 new apartments.  The board voted to approve the application.

413436 Orchard Street

The attorney for the owner of 4325-27 Frankford Avenue appeared to present a case for the legalization of the second floor of the building as a boarding house.  The owner purchased the property about two years ago with the boarding house in operation but L&I inspected and cited it for violations so it was closed down.  Those in attendance unanimously agreed that the block is over served by the number of rooms available to single people utilizing the various recovery programs and that adding another would not be an asset to the community.  The board voted to oppose the application.  The owner is free to apply for another use for the second floor of the property.

There were no words spoken against the folks who need recovery services.  Everyone agrees that those services are a necessity in the age we live in.  The issue is that Frankford has more than enough housing for those needing the services.

4325-27 Frankford Ave.

The next meeting of the Frankford Civic Association will be held on February 2nd at Aria Health.

NEastPhilly.com has a two part article this week on Frankford Revitalization.  It is written by Pamela Seaton and Kirsten Stamn, students reporting for Philadelphia Neighborhoods, the publication of Temple University’s Multimedia Urban Reporting Lab.

It is certainly worth reading since it covers just about everything going on in Frankford now.  Have a look at part 1 here.   Part 2 is here.

At last month’s Frankford Civic Association meeting Pete Specos announced that Alice Henry, the President, had to stop down for personal reasons.  Last Tuesday night, Barry Howell, President of the Northwood Civic Association, presided over his last meeting as President.  He is not running for reelection so that he can devote more time to his duties at St. James Lutheran church.

Pete Specos will be acting as President at Frankford Civic.  Joe Krause has been nominated for President of Northwood Civic, with no opposition.  We wish the new presidents of these vital organizations the best of luck.

Chris Wink over at NEastPhilly.com gave a detailed account of the Northwood meeting.  Check it out here.

We wish Barry Howell the best.  His energy in working for the Northwood Civic has been greatly appreciated by many in the community.

Ron Holliman

We will miss Alice Henry with her congenial charm and long time dedication to Frankford.  Alice, you are not abandoning Frankford at all.  You have made it a better place by your work and now its time to let others take over.  Take care and keep in touch.

One last word on a man who I meet every month at the Northwood Civic Association meeting.  He is Ron Holliman the night Sexton at St. James.  He always has a smile and kind word and I have been threatening to take his picture for the last year.  So here you are Ron.

The meeting had over 20 in attendance.  Opening announcement from Pete Specos was that Alice Henry has had to withdraw from the board for personal reasons and he will be acting president.

The first issue was the application for a zoning variance for a day care at the church on the corner of Harrison Street and Frankford Avenue.  The variance is needed because part of the property is zoned residential.

The main topic of discussion was the presentation made by Joe Bella, attorney representing Harry Patel, the owner of the Quickie Mart Express at the corner of Unity Street and Frankford Avenue.  Mr. Patel says that business is down and he sees an opportunity to recoup those losses by offering take out beer at the Quickie Mart.  His proposal would include remodeling the entire shopping center, which he also owns, as well as the interior of the Quickie Mart to accommodate sit down dining .  That is a requirement of the license to sell take out beer.

Mr. Patel is trying to determine whether the community would support this change in his business before he proceeds.  Discussion from the group was centered on the problems now seen on the Avenue with people and alcohol.  Will this change make a difference or make things worse then they are now.  I have a video here of the presentation along with some of the comments and questions raised.  It’s 10 minutes long but might be worth a watch.

There is no doubt that Mr. Patel is an astute business man and the Quickie Mart is a nice store.  If you have concerns about this issue, you should attend the next Frankford Civic meeting to voice your opinion.  It will be held on December 1st at 7PM at Aria Health 2nd floor conference room.