Finding Our Way - WCSU STEM

In The News

Follow some of our important information and events released in the news:

Students interested in STEM fields invited to participate in upcoming WCSU programs

Western Connecticut State University Professor of Biological and Environmental Sciences Dr. Theodora Pinou runs two programs for area middle and high school students interested in learning more about environmental science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs, and both are currently accepting applications. Read the whole article here.

 

From Finding Our Way Participant to Top 300 Scholar   

Congratulations to Khushi Parikh for being named a top 300 Scholar in the national competition for Regeneron Science Talent Search. Khushi Parikh previously participated in the Finding Our Way program. Below is the letter from Regeneron Science Talent Search.

Science Talent Search Letter

Students canoe on a lake. Their canoes are filled with aquatic plants they appear to have removed.
Finding Our Way Highlight from the 2021 NOAA Education Accomplishment Report
Reinventing aquatic science at Danbury High School through B-WET funding

“Students in Danbury High School’s aquatic science course are getting the chance to help their local impaired watershed in Connecticut while learning about future STEM careers. Through Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) grant funding to Western Connecticut State University, the course was retooled to integrate locally relevant information and student-driven solutions. A select group of students also continued their stewardship engagement through a paid summer internship. Students’ solutions to stormwater drainage issues were showcased at a “Watershed Restoration Symposium,” where Theodora Pinou, professor at Western Connecticut State University, reflected on how she “love[s] some of the ideas” from the students.” Full 2021 NOAA report down below.

Fiscal Year 2021 NOAA Education Accomplishments Reports

WCSU’s Finding our way program receives funding from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) B-Wet Program. 

Through this funding, WCSU graduate students in the M.S. in Integrative Biological Diversity program will work with the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) Connections Program and Danbury High School science teachers and students to learn about the history of the local watershed and restore riparian buffers along the Still River. This three-year project entails planting more than 2,000 native plants and restoring more than three-acres of habitat.

WCSU confirms the first specimen of new tick in Connecticut

Researchers at Western Connecticut State University have confirmed the first instance of an exotic new tick in Connecticut. The Asian long-horned tick is an invasive species that can harm livestock but is not yet known to be a danger to humans in the United States… read more.

Danbury Students, Teachers, Honored for Environmental Education

Finding Our Way, a Danbury-based environmental science, technology, engineering and math skills education program for middle schoolers and their families, has announced the WCSU NOAA B-WET Stewardship Award winners… read more.

WCSU Partnership with NOAA Yields Research, Results, Awards

With a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Pinou brings students from regional middle schools to WCSU to provide a wide-ranging educational experience focusing on water resources and ecosystem biodiversity… read more.

Ridgefield Girl Scout brings STEM to Danbury school fair

A group of fifth graders sat on the gym floor of Park Avenue School and pierced marshmallows with raw spaghetti, adding masking tape as reinforcement. Though the goal was to build the tallest tower, students also gained hands-on engineering experience… read more.

WCSU to host Earth Day Celebration on April 21

Western Connecticut State University will host an Earth Day Celebration from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, featuring nature hikes, exhibits and interactive activities… read more.

Connecticut Bird Atlas seeks citizen scientists at WCSU workshop

The Connecticut Bird Atlas citizen science project will host an informational workshop at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 26, for residents interested in assisting in gathering data about birds in the state … read more.

Danbury students learn about Still River in outdoor classroom

Brian Eltz and Mallory Humphrey, from the DEEP Fish Division, show Pembroke School students fish taken from the Still River during the Housatonic Valley Association … read more.

Interns to present results of Candlewood carp program

Last summer, the Candlewood Lake Authority released 48 carp equipped with trackers into the lake in the hopes the fish would eat the milfoil that has long … read more.

 

Local middle schoolers get a head start in STEM at WCSU

Danbury Patch- ‘Finding Our Way’ Alumna Receives Awards

Educators work to steer more females to STEM careers

WCSU Finding Our Way alumna wins at CT Science Fair

WCSU STEM Program Alumna Earns Award in Recycling Competition

‘Finding Our Way’ STEM Program Hosts Open House on June 5 

NOAA Fisheries New England/Mid-Atlantic

Follow NOAA Fisheries New England/Mid-Atlantic page on Facebook, for information and interesting news release.