From left to right: Axalta All-Pro teachers Eric Turnbull, Brooks Twilley, Joe Dell’Arciprete, Heather Handler, Colleen Mooney, Robin McClean, the Stroud Center’s Dr. Steve Kerlin, Philadelphia Eagles Safety Chris Maragos, Dr. Javier Dominguez, Ross Cruz, Paul VanHouten, Anne Klein, and Michelle Fogel got hands on with macroinvertebrates in White Clay Creek.
Axalta, a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings headquartered in Philadelphia, the World Champion Philadelphia Eagles, and Stroud Water Research Center hosted a day of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning in White Clay Creek for recipients of Axalta’s All-Pro Teachers designation – a program in conjunction with the Eagles that identifies, recognizes and rewards innovative STEM-focused teachers and their schools in the greater Philadelphia area.
Attendees were joined by Philadelphia Eagles safety Chris Maragos, and Judd Pittman, Special Consultant to the Pennsylvania Secretary of Education for STEM, as they participated in a day-long curriculum at the Stroud Center in Avondale, Pennsylvania.
Throughout the day, teachers experienced STEM education in a real-world setting giving them the tools to cultivate the next generation of freshwater stewards. Activities included water chemistry and stream habitat assessments. The most popular activity was the opportunity for participants to get their boots wet and collect macroinvertebrates with Chris Maragos. Back in the lab, the teachers learned how Stroud Center scientists use macroinvertebrate identification to assess stream health and water quality. Partnering with the Chester County Intermediate Unit, the Stroud Center offered Act 48 Credits to all participants.
“Axalta is inspired by the All-Pro teachers who give so much to their students every day,” said Regina Tracy, Axalta Global Corporate Social Responsibility Manager. “This is an exciting opportunity for us to connect for the first time our All-Pro Teacher program with another partner of ours, the Stroud Water Research CenterWe’re certain the teachers will come away from Stroud Center’s real world, award-winning program not only with continuing education certifications, but new skills and ideas they can take back to their classrooms to help develop the next generation of scientists, engineers and freshwater stewards.”
“Stroud Center scientists have been studying White Clay Creek — a National Wild and Scenic River, an Experimental Ecological Reserve, and a part of the National Science Foundation’s prestigious Long-Term Research in Environmental Biology program — for more than 50 years, as well as streams and rivers around the world. We are thrilled to share our knowledge of streams with these exceptional teachers thanks to Axalta and the Philadelphia Eagles,” said Dave Arscott, Ph.D., Stroud Center Executive Director.
As a global employer of more than 13,000 people worldwide including 1,200 engineers and scientists, Axalta is committed to corporate social responsibility initiatives with a special focus on STEM to help teach the next generation of coatings industry innovators.
Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2018 Axalta All-Pro Teachers program. Former or current school principals, students, colleagues, as well as members of the community can nominate teachers in school districts throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. Based on their educational drive, innovation in the classroom, and community ownership, ten teachers will be selected as an All-Pro Teacher and recognized at an Eagles home game in 2018. Each teacher’s school will receive a monetary donation from Axalta for STEM programming or school supplies, tickets to an Eagles home game, a personalized Eagles jersey and football, and a nomination for Axalta All-Pro Teacher of the Year. The 2018 Axalta All-Pro Teacher of the Year will receive an additional donation to his or her school, an Eagles Pep Rally hosted at their school and other recognitions. Nominations for qualified teachers may be submitted here.
