North Central Science Teacher Earns $10,000 Grant
A local teacher’s idea to apply biotechnical methods to soil has attracted a $10,000 grant from Toyota Motor Sales.
Randy James, a science teacher at North Central High School, is one of only 50 teachers across the country to receive the 1998 Toyota grant.
Funded by Toyota and administered by the National Science Teachers Association, the grants total nearly $500,000 and represent the single largest gift ever awarded to America’s science teachers.
James’ project was selected out of nearly 800 grant applications. His project will have NC students research soil ecosystems using total soil DNA extraction and quantification methods.
The data will be shared with conservation scientists and used in forums with local farm groups on land-use practices.
James said he spent last summer working with professor Dr. Donald Lightfoot at Eastern Washington University on extracting DNA from human cells.
“I’d already been doing a lot of work with the conservation district when it dawned on me, ‘Why not explore extracting DNA from the soil,”’ James said.
James will use the $10,000 to buy “unique” equipment for science students at the school next year. James has taught science for 13 years at NC. Assisting him on the project are fellow teachers Shawn Jordan and Jay Webber.
JETS fly high at St. George’s
St. George’s junior varsity team won the Junior Engineering and Technological Society national title. The Dragons’ varsity team placed 15th in the country.
JETS holds nationwide competition every year. The competition is based on a three-hour exam that students take in teams.
The exam is an interdisciplinary test involving skills and knowledge in math, chemistry, biology, physics, history, electronics, computers and English.
The competition is sponsored by Gonzaga University’s engineering department and is organized by professor Gale Allwine.
The test results for both teams were sent to Virginia, where they were compared with those of other schools from across the nation.
Members from the junior varsity are: A.J. Martinez, captain, 10th; Eric Malm, 9th; Amy Kraemer, 11th; Brent Nielson, 11th; Ashley Horton, 10th; Nate Crumet, 10th; Peter Nelson, 11th; and Eric Halvorson, 10th.
The varsity includes: John Witherspoon, captain, 12th; Eric Johnson, 11th; Ty Garland, 12th; Steve Ickes, 12th; Jessica Daubel, 12th; Jared Hill, 12th; Sarah Griswald, 12th; and Emily Gherard, 12th.
Teacher Don Faulkner is the coach.
Mead’s Ryan Keberle wins solo
Mead High School senior Ryan Keberle claimed first place prize in a statewide music competition this spring.
Keberle took the top award in solo competition for trombone players around the state.
He was among 5,000 students who competed April 24 and 25 at the Washington Music Educators Solo and Ensemble State Competition held at Central Washington University in Ellensburg.
Shadle coaches to teach hoop camp
Shadle Park High School is offering a basketball camp for young players from June 15 to 30. Topics at the camp include shooting, passing, screening, dribbling and rebounding.
Cost of the camp is $57 and each student must have camp insurance, available through the school district at an additional cost of $3. A waiver must be signed to decline coverage.
Registration will take place at the high school the first day of camp.
For more questions call Darcy Weisner or Tim Gaebe at 353-4531.