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

Northwood Academy Charter School held it’s annual science fair this past Thursday at it’s annex in the former Saint Joachim’s school at Penn and Church.  My father, wife and I stopped by to check out how the budding scientists were faring.  I met with Meagan Hopkins-Doerr, former Northwood Charter teacher and current iPraxis program director, who guided me through the process that the students would follow.  All students in 7th and 8th grade are prepped for science projects.  Those that were able to attain a certain level of preparation were moved ahead to the school’s science fair.

Judging  for the school’s science fair was coordinated with iPraxis, a non profit organization who’s focus is to improve science opportunities for underserverd students.  According to iPraxis’ website, “science comes to life for kids when they get to learn by seeing, hearing, feeling, and experiencing science inside and outside of their classrooms.”

iPraxis coordinated with the school to link up Ph.D. candidate scientists to judge the competition and then mentor the winning students in each category weekly until the region wide  George Washington Carver Science Fair hosted at Temple in early March.

I spoke with Cordell, an 8th grader at Northwood Academy, who’s science fair project this year centered around what can make an electromagnet stronger.  He was excited by the opportunity to showcase what he learned and looked forward to the opportunity to compete.

Cordell showcases his project

It was great to the asset to the community that Northwood Academy has become and it was the first time in a couple decades that I was back in Saint Joachim’s auditorium since I graduated 8th grade.  It seemed a lot smaller than I remembered.

Sounds serious, doesn’t it.  Have a look and see what it was all about.

At the Northwood Civic meeting on Tuesday, April 20, president Barry Howell noted that both the Northwood Civic Association and the Juniata Civic Association have signed off on the community agreement with the Bridge.  That agreement will be submitted to the zoning board and become part of the public record.  Frankford Civic will make a decision at its meeting on May5th.

Northwood Academy Charter school has obtained zoning approval for construction of a new additional building on the existing property on Castor Avenue.

Tony Payton announced that there has been some progress in finding a new use for the Frankford Y building and further news will be released when the deal has been finalized.

Joanne Ryles, representing the Concerned Citizens of Northwood addressed the group with an appeal for support.  They meet the second Thursday of each month at Simpson Playground.  Barry said that Northwood will take a more active role in working with the group because of the proximity to Northwood.  Problems spill over.

The VOA house issue is being re-evaluated based on its current use as a residence.  The end strategy is to bring the use of the property into compliance with the deed restriction.

Next month’s meeting will be moved to May 10th due to election day.  Darrell Clarke will be at the meeting.

The building substitute of Northwood Academy gave the school a four out of five star review on greatschools.com.  She noted that with experience in 4 Philadelphia schools, Northwood has been her favorite.