Philadelphia, PA
- 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.
"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 Center. We'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."
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.
