{"id":401,"date":"2019-07-17T18:18:16","date_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:18:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wcsu.wpengine.com\/news-archives\/finding-our-way-alumna-wins-at-ct-science-fair\/"},"modified":"2019-07-17T18:18:16","modified_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:18:16","slug":"finding-our-way-alumna-wins-at-ct-science-fair","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/news-archives\/finding-our-way-alumna-wins-at-ct-science-fair\/","title":{"rendered":"WCSU 2017 – Finding our Way alumna wins at CT Science Fair"},"content":{"rendered":"
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DANBURY, CONN. <\/strong>\u2014 Dr. Theodora Pinou<\/a>, professor of Biological and Environmental Sciences<\/a> and faculty curator of the H. G. Dowling Herpetological Collection<\/a> at Western Connecticut State University<\/a>, runs \u201cFinding Our Way<\/a>,\u201dan environmental STEM skills education program for middle school students. <\/p>\n

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After working with Pinou and \u201cFinding Our Way,\u201d Khushi Parikh, a student at Danbury\u2019s Westside Middle School Academy<\/a>, won first honors in biotechnology at the 2017 Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair<\/a> for her project, \u201cPharmaceuticals In Our Water: How Can These Hazardous Chemicals Be Filtered?\u201dParikh also won a third-place trophy for overall Life Sciences. <\/p>\n

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Relating what she learned from \u201cFinding Our Way\u201d to her science class curriculum, Parikh investigated how chemical contamination of water affects marine life and their growth patterns. \u201cI found that carbon-based pharmaceutical content in water caused brain lesions, dulling of senses, and other physiological effects on fish,\u201d Parikh explained. \u201cI decided to pursue this particular topic because I\u2019m interested in marine neurology, health sciences, chemistry and the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Crediting \u201cFinding Our Way\u201d with both inspiration and connections to helpful experts, Parikh said that the program taught her how to present complex ideas in a clear, concise manner and helped her create school projects. \u201cMy favorite part of the program,\u201d she said, \u201cwas the field trips to facilities such as NOAA and the Long Island Aquarium. Through these trips all of the participants were introduced to the reality of how much our environment needs our help. We also learned about careers that will allow us to pursue our stewardship campaigns and goals.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cKhushi is focused, driven and interested in making a difference,\u201d Pinou said,\u00a0\u201cand her family\u2019s emotional support and confidence-building helps her achieve her dreams.\u00a0Her participation in the summer \u2018Finding Our Way\u2019 program gave Khushi an opportunity to learn about the environment and ways she could make the world safer and cleaner for future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n

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With a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration<\/a> (NOAA), Pinou brings students from Danbury and regional middle schools to WCSU for a wide-ranging educational experience focusing on water resources and ecosystem biodiversity. WCSU, Danbury Family Learning Center<\/a> and Danbury Public Schools<\/a> collaborate on the program, which offers 30 seventh-grade middle school students and their families a yearlong integrated environmental stewardship experience focused on New England watersheds.<\/p>\n

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\u201cFinding Our Way\u201d partners with WCSU\u2019s Weather Center<\/a> and The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation<\/a> to study the life cycle and behavior of organisms that rely on the watershed for resources. It also partners with the NOAA Fisheries Lab<\/a> in Milford, and FirstLight Power Resources<\/a> to learn about sustainable clean energy such as biofuel and hydroelectric power.<\/p>\n

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Parikh recommends \u201cFinding Our Way\u201d to other middle schoolers because it connects learning with community service. \u201cThe program builds environmental awareness and commitment\u00a0to stewardship,\u201d Parikh explained, \u201cand helps us discover our career interests and passions.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Families interested in learning more are invited to attend an open meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 5,\u00a02017<\/strong>, in the WCSU Science Building on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White Street, Danbury. The 2017 Family Stewardship Awards will also be announced at that time, and new families are encouraged to engage with the previous cohort and ask questions.<\/p>\n

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For more information, call the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.<\/p>\n

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\n Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England\u2019s best small private universities.<\/em><\/p>\n

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