STEM Learning Fair draws hundreds of eager students

Whitewater Academy students show off "pizzas" made of recyclable trash

Oct 3, 2012 – Tornadoes in a box, human-sized bugs and pizzas topped with trash may sound like a disaster – but they meant fun AND learning to more than 500 fifth graders at the STEM Outdoor Learning Fair on Sept. 28 at the Energy Explorium on Lake Norman.

The Fair was organized by the Catawba River District, a regional group working to create a model for sustainable living along our region’s main source of water and its largest wildlife habitat.

Catawba River District to present 2nd Annual STEM Outdoor Learning Fair

500 5th graders to get hands-on lessons from area businesses, colleges

More than 500 fifth graders from five River District schools will get their hands and minds around STEM education concepts on Sept. 28 at the 2nd Annual STEM Outdoor Learning Fair.

The event, presented by the Catawba River District in partnership with UNC Charlotte’s STEM Education Center, will take place 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Duke Energy’s Energy Explorium on Lake Norman. Local experts will lead interactive lessons on alternative energy, recycling, groundwater protection and other science- and math-based topics.

River District Leaders Honored as CMS STEM ALL STARS

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300 students got hands-on science lessons at the Outdoor Learning Fair

Dr. Cindy Moss, Alisa Wickliff and Edna Chirico recognized for K-20 STEM Outdoor Learning Fair

June 21, 2012 – Charlotte, NC  Edna Chirico, our executive director, and two of our K-20 Learning World Team, Alisa Wickliff and Dr. Cindy Moss, have received Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Math) All-Star Awards for their work with students in the Catawba River District.

The awards, presented June 7 at Discovery Place, recognize teachers, administrators, staff and community partners who have made significant contributions to help students grow and learn by participating in science, math, engineering and technology programs and activities.

Chirico, Moss and Wickliff were instrumental in creating the inaugural K-20 STEM Outdoor Learning Fair last fall at the U.S. National Whitewater Center for more than 300 elementary-school students.

Community garden meeting May 22 at Whitewater Middle

Whitewater Middle students prepare soil for their new gardens

Learn how you can nurture school gardens, local foods

May 16 – The River District invites you to Whitewater Middle School 6:30-8 p.m. May 22 to see our new learning gardens for students and to hear plans for a community gardening program called Whitewater Farms. The River District also seeks volunteers to help with the gardens, particularly this summer after school ends. Everyone is welcome.

These gardens are part of an ambitious River District effort to boost our students’ learning and interest in science, technology, engineering and math – often called STEM. Similar gardens are under way at Mountain Island, Ida Rankin and Catawba Heights elementary; and River Oaks and Whitewater academies.

• LEARN MORE: Visit catawbariverdistrict.org.

• DIRECTIONS: Whitewater Middle is at 1520 Belmeade Drive, Charlotte. MAP

• VOLUNTEER: We need help maintaining the schoolyard gardens this summer. Interested? EMAIL Edna Chirico or call 704-562-8847.

Parents, students get hands-on science lessons

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River District leaders help explain soil erosion at the science night

Whitewater schools host April 17 evening program
on STEM hands-on learning and school gardens
How often have we all said, I learn it so much better when I can do it rather than read about it? On April 17, The Catawba River District and its partners brought hands-on science learning to the hallways of Whitewater Academy and Whitewater Middle School. 

Craig Wyant explains local wildlife

Volunteers from Presbyterian Healthcare, Huber Technology and the River District ran interactive science- and math-based learning displays for parents and students coming to an end-of-grade test-prep night.

River District sponsors school-garden event April 17

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Jeffie Hardin of Rivendell Farms (right) shows Whitewater Academy teachers her gardens

Whitewater Academy and Whitewater Middle School 
to pilot first learning lab for K-20 Learning Initiative

March 7, 2012 – The public can learn how gardens help our children learn, when Whitewater Academy and Whitewater Middle School host a school-garden open house on April 17 as part of the N.C. Science Festival.

The schools, Catawba River District and Rivendell Farms are creating vegetable gardens as a first step in an ambitious long-term program to help our students develop strong skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

The free event will take place 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the two schools, 11600 White Rapids Rd., Charlotte. Visitors can see the new gardens, learn how the gardens will benefit these students and get an overview of the long-term plans for similar learning labs across the River District.

Robb Little joins River District Executive Board

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Robb Little

March 7, 2012 – The Catawba River District announces the newest addition to its executive board: Robb Little, co-owner and managing partner of Sustainable Development Services, Inc.

As a member of the executive board, Little will help guide the emerging non-profit group’s efforts to create a voluntary sustainable community along the Catawba River in eastern Gaston and western Mecklenburg Counties in North Carolina. Among the group’s major projects are establishing a network of hands-on learning centers at area schools and other public places; and promoting voluntary efforts to protect the Catawba River, the region’s main source of water.

Little’s company, Sustainable Development Services, Inc., is a real-estate development consulting firm that offers clients expertise in all aspects of development projects, from conception to completion, with a focus on the residential sector, and the desire to conduct development in an environmentally responsible fashion.

Catawba River District Announces Strategic Partners

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Presbyterian Healthcare and Huber Technology to Support District’s STEM Education and Outdoor Learning Labs

February 20, 2012 – Charlotte, NC – The Catawba River District, a regional organization focused on sustainable community and economic development, is pleased to announce that Presbyterian Healthcare and Huber Technology have become strategic partners supporting the district’s STEM education initiatives and first outdoor learning labs.

“We are thrilled to announce these strategic partnerships and the acceleration of our first learning labs and STEM education program,” said Edna Chirico, Executive Director for the River District.