Oak Knoll unveils stained-glass window display designed by Watchung alumna – MyCentralJersey.com

More than a year’s worth of work by Oak Knoll alumna and artist Christina Nguyen of Watchung culminated earlier this month when the school officially unveiled a stained-glass display she designed to greet worshipers entering the Upper School chapel of the Summit-based school.

The roughly 6-by-8-foot, three-panel depiction of the Holy Child being held by the Virgin Mary was blessed by the Rev. Scott Pontes, academic dean of religion at Oratory Prep, during a ceremony Jan. 8, that included faculty, staff and administrators, as well as Nguyen’s family and some of her classmates from the Class of 2018.

“We want to thank Christina for her incredible work of art and her gift that she shared with all of us and that she’s going to share with generations of Oak Knoll families,” said Head of School Timothy J. Saburn, who also thanked special benefactors Mary Ellen Dundon, alumna and Board of Trustee member, and the late Gail Reinheimer. Class of 1959, who left a bequest to the school.

Creative Arts Chair Will Cardell, who first approached Nguyen during the spring of 2017 to design the stained-glass display, also lauded her and the fruits of her labors.

“The project is … one that would be typically offered to a professional,” Cardell said. “But, as we are a school that believes in investing in the talents of our very capable students, the decision to give Christina this special assignment was embraced enthusiastically by the entire community.”

Nguyen, currently a freshman at the University of Notre Dame, thanked her family for their support and for sending her to Oak Knoll where she received a faith-based education.

“Thank you to everyone who supported this project ever since that first meeting when I showed up with just three little sketches,” Nguyen said.

She also thanked her former teacher, Cardell, and Princeton-based artisan Zach Green, who translated her work from paper to glass.

“Thank you for believing in me since day one and for giving me this opportunity,” she said to Cardell. 

During the summer of 2017, Nguyen proposed three potential designs depicting the Nativity, the journey to Egypt and the Holy Child image for consideration for the stained-glass window.

The design, which originally incorporated two angels, was altered to include St. Francis of Assisi, an influential figure to Venerable Cornelia Connelly, Holy Child founder.

With the inclusion of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals, Nguyen added a dove and two cardinals, with the latter birds representing the living blood of Christ. Rays in the sky also incorporate the school’s colors.

Once the design was approved, she designed the depiction until Green took over and transformed it into glass over the course of the summer and early fall in 2018. The glass was installed on Jan. 4, just before the school returned from its winter break.

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Applebee’s teacher essay contest

The second annual Above and “BEE”yond Teacher Essay Contest, sponsored by Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, will recognize top teachers — as nominated by their students — by awarding them with a sponsorship check and end-of-year class party.

The contest is being offered at Applebee’s restaurants in New Jersey owned and operated by local franchisee, Doherty Enterprises.

Specifically, Applebee’s will award six teachers from 13 counties* with a $500 sponsorship check to use towards their classroom for the 2019-2020 school year, along with an end-of-year party for their current class. To nominate a teacher, students must submit an essay in-person at their local Applebee’s explaining why their teacher deserves to be “Teacher of the Year.” Students who enter an essay will receive a free ice cream certificate** to Applebee’s. Contest submissions are being accepted at participating Applebee’s restaurants now through March 3 and winners will be announced on Monday, April 8.

“We are thrilled to be holding our second annual Above and BEEyond Teacher Essay Contest at our New Jersey restaurants,” said Kevin Coughlin, director of operations, Applebee’s New Jersey in a news release. “Our restaurants are committed to giving back to the local community, especially schools within the communities we serve. The overwhelming support from last year’s campaign reminded us what an integral role teachers play in building a better community.”

One winner will be selected from each set of counties, grouped together by the following geographic areas: Middlesex, Somerset and Hunterdon; Bergen, Passaic and Essex; Hudson and Union; Morris, Sussexand Warren; Monmouth; and Ocean.

For more information, visit http://www.dohertyinc.com/community-connection.

 

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

The following Central Jersey residents at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania were named to the fall dean’s list: Emily Filus of Lebanon, Victoria Johnston of Flemington, Jennifer Stolz of Bound Brook, Emily Brigham of Ringoes, Jenna Figliano of Bridgewater, Amanda Izzo of Flemington, Rachel Lowry of Hillsborough, Keri McNally of Frenchtown, Kayla Allen of Scotch Plains, Jillian Melick of Flemington, Nicholas Monteschio of Bridgewater, Angela Norment of High Bridge, Ava Simon of Bridgewater. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.5. 

Clemson University

The following Central Jersey residents at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina, received their degrees in December:

John Alton Gunning III of Basking Ridge, bachelor’s degree in financial management.

Mario Xavier Mendoza of Bernardsville, bachelor’s degree in political science.

Taylor Jean McGauley of Gillette, bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Sankeerthana Kosana of Hillsborough, bachelor’s degree in computer science.

Thomas W. Koester of Lebanon, bachelor’s degree in graphic communications.

Tyler N. Bernstein of Ringoes, bachelor’s degree in computer engineering.

Brian David Hadley of Summit, bachelor’s degree in parks, recreation and tourism management.

Colby-Sawyer College

Asbury resident Isabella Paul, a student at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire, was named to the fall dean’s list. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.5.

Curry College

The following Central Jersey residents at Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts, were named to the fall dean’s list: Christine Ezeigwe of Princeton and Brandon Pierson of Neshanic Station. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.30.

Dean College

The following Central Jersey at Dean College in Franklin, Massachusetts, were named to the fall dean’s list: Benjamin Klitenick of Bridgewater, David Reynolds of Skillman, Alexandra Roden of Princeton and Kortney Ward of North Plainfield.  

Grove City College

The following Central Jersey residents at Grove City College in Pennsylvania were named to the fall dean’s list: Liliana Totten of Basking Ridge, Eric Sibilla of Bound Brook, Juliana Irwin of Flemington, Andrew Nash of Manville, Elizabeth Cochran of Hillsborough and Jacqui Netschert of Pittstown. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.40.

Hamilton College 

The following Central Jersey residents at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, were named to the fall dean’s list: Christine Rosato of Warren, Hayley Berliner of Berkeley Heights, Isabella Nichol of Bernardsville, Matthew Haas of Scotch Plains, Lona Sniderman of Bernardsville, Michael Moubarak of Belle Mead, Laura Boyman of New Providence, Amanda Leonhard of Bedminster, Amanda Johnson of New Providence, Melanie Snyder of Westfield, Lily Qiu of Belle Mead. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.5.

Hunterdon Healthcare Foundation

Applications for scholarships through the Jean Alvater Baker Educational Fund, the Albert Kahn and Mary Kahn, R.N. Educational Fund, the Millie E. Apgar Educational Scholarship Fund for Health Professionals, Dr. Reinhard and Dr. Helga Schwartz Nursing Education Scholarship, Wingover Scholarship Fund for Nursing Education, and the Patricia M. Psenisky Nursing Scholarship Fund are now being accepted by the Hunterdon Healthcare Foundation.

These funds provide educational opportunities to individuals pursuing careers in healthcare. However, the Baker Fund, Kahn Fund, Dr. Reinhard and Dr. Helga Schwartz Fund, and Wingover Fund place a special emphasis on the nursing profession. The Patricia M. Psenisky Nursing Scholarship Fund is for students, RN’s or LPN’s seeking a bachelor’s degree in nursing or a graduate degree in nursing.

Applicants must either be an employee of the Hunterdon Healthcare System or a resident (parent/guardian) of Hunterdon County. There is a common application for the Baker, Kahn, Apgar, Dr. Reinhard and Dr. Helga Schwartz, and Wingover Scholarship Funds. A separate application is available for the Patricia M. Psenisky Nursing Scholarship Fund.

Scholarship applications are available in the Foundation Office or obtained online at: http://foundation.hunterdonhealthcare.org. The deadline for applications is March 1. Recipients will be notified of their awards at the beginning of May. Call 908- 788-6141.

Hunterdon County Vocational School District

Natalie Guarino of Phillipsburg has been named the Governor’s Educator of the Year in the Hunterdon County Vocational School District. Guarino teaches students in the Early Childhood Education and Teacher Academy programs at the district’s Polytech Career and Technical School. She also advises students in the school’s chapter of the Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), whose members have an impressive record of competing and earning gold at the FCCLA National Leadership Conference.

Guarino was nominated by her peers and selected by HCVSD’s Governor’s Educator of the Year Committee. She will now submit an application for consideration as the Hunterdon County Teacher of the Year.

“Natalie is an exceptional role model for today’s students who are planning to become future teachers. She provides the very best opportunities for her students to learn about the rewards and challenges of the teaching profession,” said Laurence R. Fieber, executive director of the Center for Future Educators at the College of New Jersey and a member of the Early Education and Teacher Academy Advisory Committee at Hunterdon County Polytech. 

Since 2006, Guarino has worked at Hunterdon County Polytech training high school students to become early educators. She began her career as a pre-kindergarten teacher at the Growing Tree Learning Center in Bedminster.

“I thoroughly enjoy working with my students every day and inspiring their interest in teaching. Teaching has always been my passion, and I am more than grateful to be able to share that passion with others,” Guarino said.

Guarino also earned HCVSD’s Educator of the Year award in 2011-2012, and she has received numerous recognitions from FCCLA throughout her tenure with the district. Most recently, she earned the 2016 Outstanding Adviser Memorial Award of the Year from the New Jersey FCCLA.

Guarino earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and her elementary teacher certification from Kean University. She is also a certified teacher of human development and child care services and is a member of the Psi Chi National Psychology Honor Society and the National Association for Young Children.

Lehigh University

The following Central Jersey residents at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, were named to the fall dean’s list: Nina Alameno of Westfield, Anna-Olivia Anderson of Princeton, Luke Bernick of Hampton, Destiny Bonilla of Milford, Sarah Boyer of Skillman, Keith Calvaruso of Hillsborough, Sarah Cedro of Asbury, Sarah Cohen of Berkeley Heights, Olivia Cornish of Berkeley Heights, Kiera Croland of Ringoes, Annaliese Cunniffe of Califon, Andrew Daly of Basking Ridge, Brooke Dubyna of Hillsborough, Palmer Ferrara of Warren, Jessica Foy, Jessica Franolic of Berkeley Heights, Adam Freeman of Scotch Plains, Ethan Frohman of Mountainside, Nicholas Galik of Ringoes, Christopher Gesualdo of Branchburg, Catherine Glackin of Asbury, Jeffrey Gladstone of Bridgewater, Anna Gottfried of Hillsborough, William Hanna of Stockton, Melissa Hertzberg of Warren, Matthew Herwig of Princeton, Madison Hoff of Skillman, Tyler Hugo of Bernardsville, Sara Israel of Westfield, Michael Jeney of Hillsborough, Benton Kauffman of Bernardsville, John Douglass Klikushin of Westfield, Francesca Knudsen of Skillman, Chloe Koehler of Princeton, Alison Krakauer of Westfield, Victoria Lai of Basking Ridge, Brooke Lautt of Hillsborough, Samuel Layding of Clinton, Simon Mach of Bridgewater, Michael Maguire of Franklin Park, Ryan Matthiessen of Flemington, Carl Mazzara of Westfield, Skyler McCabe of Basking Ridge, M. Delaney McCaffrey of Belle Mead, Monica McGavin of Mountainside, Griffin Mooney of Westfield, Rose Morrissey of Far Hills, John Pendergast of Clinton, Christopher Pento of Lebanon, Thomas Perone of Bernardsville, Hayley Pochtar, Valentin Post of Basking Ridge, Michael Prati of Belle Mead, Devyn Riddle of Basking Ridge, Dario Sabidussi of Lambertville, Raveena Samtani of Bridgewater, Brooke Schaeffer of Westfield, Mark Schafer of Belle Mead, Emily Segal of Princeton, Lauren Sgro of Westfield, Genevieve Simon of Stockton, Juliette Smith of Westfield, Zachary Sokol of Flemington, Elana Solomon of Stockton, John Steitz of Basking Ridge, Michael Talusan of Hillsborough, Shelby Taylor of Westfield, Carolyn Wang of Basking Ridge, Jordan Wolman of Scotch Plains, Peter Woltersdorf of Flemington, Kevin Wyckoff of High Bridge, Kristen Yusiewicz of Hillsborough, Boshen Zhang of Princeton. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.6.

Lincoln University

Henry Ogala of Somerset was named to the fall dean’s list at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.0.

New Jersey Brian Bee Competition 

New Jersey high school students have an opportunity to prove their brain power by competing in the 2019 Central New Jersey Regional Brain Bee. 

Modeled after a traditional spelling bee, the Brain Bee is a live question-and-answer competition in which students are quizzed about the human brain and central nervous system. There is no cost to participate. The contest is open to all public and private New Jersey high school students in grades 9 through 12, and will be conducted on Saturday, Feb. 9,  at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway. Check-in for registered participants begins at 9:30 a.m.; the competition begins at 10:30 a.m.

To become a contestant in the Central New Jersey Regional Brain Bee, visit http://rwjms.rutgers.edu/BrainBee.html for registration information, competition rules and event details. Space is limited, therefore advance registration is required. Attendance at the competition is limited to participants and their guests. No one will be admitted once competition begins.

All competition questions are derived from the book Brain Facts, published by the Society for Neuroscience, which can be downloaded for free from the Society for Neuroscience Brain Bee website: http://www.brainfacts.org/the-brain-facts-book. Questions about the event at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School can be directed to Dr. Michael Matise  at matisemp@rwjms.rutgers.edu or Joan Mordes  at mordesja@rwjms.rutgers.edu or call 732-235-5390.

The Central New Jersey Brain Bee contest is one of many scheduled in the United States and throughout the world leading up to the International Brain Bee. The regional contest is organized and judged by local members of the Society for Neuroscience, an international organization of scientists and physicians dedicated to advancing understanding of the brain and the nervous system. The contest aims to motivate young people to learn about the brain, capture their imagination and inspire them to pursue careers in brain-related fields.

The top three finishers will receive cash prizes and the first place winner will receive an expense-paid trip for two to compete in the USA Brain Bee Championship April 12-14, on the campus of Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, Pennsylvania.  

The 2019 Central Jersey Regional Brain Bee is hosted by the Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

New Jersey ShopRite Cup

The athletic programs at Ridge High School in Bernards and Highland Park High school were among six state programs honored by New Jersey ShopRite stores with the 14th annual ShopRite Cup.

The 2018 ShopRite Cup was presented during award ceremonies at each of the winning schools. Each school received a banner for display in its gymnasium along with ShopRite Cup trophies. Congratulatory banners are also displayed in the schools’ local ShopRite stores to celebrate the winners.

The ShopRite Cup is presented jointly by ShopRite stores and the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA). Since the program’s 2004 inception, this award has gone to six winning schools each year — four public and two private — to recognize performance of excellence in state championship sporting events. The winning schools were awarded points by finishing in the top four in their group’s state championship competitions in 31 NJSIAA-sanctioned sports, with additional bonus points given for good sportsmanship. 

Other 2018 ShopRite Cup recipients include: Christian Brothers Academy of Lincroft; Haddonfield Memorial High School of Haddonfield; Immaculate Conception High School of Lodi; and Moorestown High School of Moorestown.

For the complete schedule or more information about the ShopRite Cup, including point totals and group standings, visit http://www.njsiaa.org and click on “Awards.”

Pennsylvania College of Technology

The following Central Jersey residents at Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, were named to the fall dean’s list: Taylor L. Johnson, Noah A. Landon of Whitehouse Station, George J. Santiago of Middlesex, Daniel T. Cronin of Westfield, Jeffrey R. Hasiak of Scotch Plains. 

ALSO: Kavitha Rose Kolangaden of Belle Mead, received a bachelor’s degree in physician assistant, cum laude, during fall graduation at the college.

Student/Partner Alliance

January is National Mentoring Month, and this year Student/Partner Alliance is celebrating mentors on Tuesday, Jan. 29 at Christ Church in Summit.

Michele Neves, Principal of Immaculate Conception in Montclair, will speak about urban education and the challenges of students living in poverty. Some mentors will speak about their experiences and the rewards of mentoring students from nearby urban areas. 

Research from mentor.org shows that mentors play a powerful role in providing young people with the tools to strive and thrive, to attend and engage in school, and to reduce or avoid risky behavior like drug use. In turn, these young people are: 55 percent more likely to be enrolled in college; 81 percent more likely to report participating regularly in sports or extracurricular activities; 78 perent more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities; and more than twice as likely to say they held a leadership position in a club or sports team.

Yet, the same research shows that one in three young people in our country will grow up without a mentor.  

National Mentoring Month is led by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, the national organization working to expand the quality and quantity of youth mentoring relationships nationwide.

To learn more about the role mentoring plays in the community and to find volunteer opportunities, visit http://www.studentpartneralliance.org. Or contact akent@studentpartneralliance.org.

Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School

Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School’s VEX IQ Team participated in the Rosa International Middle School VIQC Event in Cherry Hill on Saturday, Jan. 5. TEECS’ E-Smart Team Gagan Voonna and Levent Yildiz came in first place overall.

The E-Smart team from the Franklin-based school received three Awards: Design award, Teamwork award, and Excellence award.

Receiving the Teamwork Champion Award (VIQC) qualifies E-Smart for the 2019 CREATE U.S. Open National Robotics Championship – VEX IQ – Elementary School Division, which will be conducted on April 1 at Mid-America Center, One Arena Way in Iowa. 

In addition, on the same day the Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School’s FTC High School Robotics team competed in the NJ Qualifier held at the Liberty Science Center. TEECS’ team won three awards: Motivate award, Winning Alliance award and Inspire award. This win advances TEECS’ team to the state championships to be conducted in March. 

ALSO: Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School’s High School Speech and Debate Team participated in the Hunterdon Central Winter Invitational State Tournament. The team of Yusra Amir, Sudip Suresh,Sarang Patki, Moez Qamar and Akshat Parthiban was among the more than 300 participants from various high schools in New Jersey. Akshat Parthiban won third place in the Congressional Debate.

UNICO

UNICO National Membership & Retention Director Anthony Bengivenga and Plainfields’ Chapter President Bob Bengivenga distributed the UNICO Italian Heritage Calendar to the South Plainfield High School’s Italian classes recently. 

During the event, they also spoke of co-sponsoring again a student exchange involving a few Italian Language high school students from South Plainfield with a few students of the Betty Ambiveri Scuola Superiore (High School) in Presezzo (Bergamo) Italy. The SPHS Italian language teacher Stephanie White is enthusiastic about this great opportunity. The Gian Maria Alberto Foundation in Bergamo, Italy, will be the sponsor on the Italian side for the Betty Ambiveri school. 

Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders school programs

The award of grants for elementary and middle schools in 15 school districts through the new Union County STEM Scholars grant program have been announced by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. The program launched this year under Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados’ “Moving Union County Forward” Plant-A-Seed initiative with the goal of enabling local school districts to enhance STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs for younger students. 

“This year we set forth a series of “Moving Union County Forward” initiatives working together with the school districts across Union County, to help our residents excel in educational and career goals,” Granados in a news release. “The new STEM Scholars program helps open up more opportunities for elementary and middle school students to practice foundational STEM skills like teamwork and leadership, and prepare them to take on the challenging curriculum of high school STEM topics

“Providing STEM lessons in an inclusive and supportive environment helps younger students develop self-confidence, curiosity and innovative thinking,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “The next generation of STEM leaders is growing up before our eyes, and we want to ensure that every child has an opportunity to explore STEM topics in their schools and communities.”

The inspiration for the grant program comes from Hudak’s mother, Susan L. Hudak, who was a member of the educational community of Union County for many years, as a member of the Linden Board of Education and as a volunteer. Her work included the establishment of a Monthly Friday Family Science Night, a program that ran for 25 years at School No. 6 in Linden for students and their families.

The STEM Scholars program awarded grants totaling $26,628.05 in the following areas of concentration: Project-Based Learning in classes: Afterschool STEM projects; and Out-of-School STEM experiences out of the classroom. Awardees include: 

• Berkeley Heights: William Woodruff Elementary School, Project Based Learning, $482.41; William Woodruff Elementary School, Project Based Learning,  $2,500.
• Clark: Frank K. Hehnly School, Project Based Learning, $494.98
• Cranford: Hillside Avenue School, Project Based Learning, $520; Walnut Avenue School, Project Based Learning, $520; Livingston Avenue School, Project Based Learning, $520; Orange Avenue School, Project Based Learning, $520; Brookside Place School, Project Based Learning, $500
• Kenilworth: Saint Theresa School, Project Based Learning,  $500
• Linden: School #8, Afterschool STEM,  $500.50;School #2, Afterschool STEM, $500; School #5, Afterschool STEM, $500; School #9, Afterschool STEM, $500; School #1, Out of school STEM, $500; School #6, Afterschool STEM, $500; Highland Avenue School #10, Afterschool STEM, $500; School #4, Afterschool STEM, $500
• Mountainside: Deerfield School, Project Based Learning, $1,000
• New Providence: Salt Brook Elementary School, Afterschool STEM, $480
• New Providence Morris-Union Jointure Commission, Project Based Learning, $500
• Plainfield: Plainfield Acamdemy of Arts and Advance Studies, Project Based Learning, $500
• Rahway: Franklin & Madison Elementary Schools:,Project Based Learning, $1,199
• Roselle: Washington Elementary School, Project Based Learning, $500
• Scotch Plains: Park Middle School, Afterschool STEM, $800; Park Middle School, Project Based Learning, $500; Terrill Middle School, Project Based Learning,   $500.

ALSO: The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders has announced the recipients of the new UC Night at the Theater grant. As part of Granados’ “Moving UNION COUNTY Forward” initiatives, the program aims to help cover the costs of high school theater productions and provide arts enrichment for the community at large.

“It is our hope that these grants will assist our schools in expanding and enhancing these enriching opportunities for students, while engaging more residents in the performing arts as well,” Granados said in a news release.

More than $26,000 in grants were awarded to help cover the costs of high school theater productions slated for the spring or fall of 2019. The UC Night at the Theater program is funded through Moving Union County forward in conjunction with the Union County Open Space, Historic Preservation and Kids Recreation Trust Fund. Honorees include:

• Elizabeth: Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy, $1,750; Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy, $1 ,750
• Hillside: Hillside Public High Schools, $1,750; Hillside Benedictine Academy, $1,750
• Kenilworth David Brearley High School, $1,750
• Linden High School, $1,750
• New Providence High School, $1,750
• Plainfield Academy for the Arts & Advanced Studies, $1,750
• Rahway High School,$1,750
• Roselle Abraham Clark High School, $1,750
• Scotch Plains Academy of Performing Arts,$1,750
• Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, $1,750
• Summit High School, $1,750
• Springfield Jonathan Dayton High School, $1,750
• Westfield High School, $1,750.

University of Maryland 

Brandon Stoeckel of Branchburg was named to the fall dean’s list at the University of Maryland. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.5.

Westfield Public Schools

ALSO: Four eighth-graders at Edison Intermediate School recently competed in teams of two as finalists in the 2018 New Jersey Cyber Robotics Competition at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, with one of the teams placing third in the state coding championship.

“Mrs. Paiva and I introduced our Grade 8 Project Technology students to Cyber Robotics Coding, using CoderZ online challenges provided by Intelitek,” said Dr. Eugene Ehrlich who, with Laura Paiva, teaches computer technology at Edison. “CoderZ is an online learning environment that provides students with mission-based Cyber Robotics Coding challenges of progressive difficulty levels which guide students through more demanding coding tasks.”

Students “work to complete missions that introduce them to mechanics, physics and programming accompanied by math, science and engineering principals,” according to the Cyber Robotics Coding Competition website, https://crcc.io/new-jersey/. 

By learning to program a virtual, 3D animated robot while planning and strategizing the virtual robot to participate in challenges, “students compete within their class, grade, school, district and state to win stages and progress to the finals,” according to the organization’s website.

Project Technology students Catherine Collins, Maya Dias, Gabriela Gil and Aaron Richman advanced to the finals in the CoderZ online challenges and were invited to participate in two-person teams in the state championship competition at NJIT on Dec. 14.

Catherine Collins and Gabriela Gil received the third place Cyber Robotics Coding Competition 2018 Championship Award.

Student and School news appears Fridays. Email: cnmetro@mycentraljersey.com

 

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