River District leaders honored as STEM All-Stars

Students learn about water purification at the 2011 STEM Outdoor Learning Fair

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

Edna Chirico, the River District executive director, and two members of its 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.

STEM Fair served hundreds of students

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. Groups of students moved between a dozen hands-on science activities set up under tents around the whitewater rapids. Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx drew loud cheers at the end of the program when he asked the students, "Where are our future scientists?"

Wickliff is assistant director of the UNC Charlotte STEM Center. Moss recently retired from her position as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools STEM director to join Discovery Education. She now is director of global STEM initiatives, responsible for designing, developing and implementing comprehensive STEM initiatives worldwide. At the June 7 event, Moss also received the 2012 Michael C. Jackson Distinguished Service Award, given by the NC Science Leadership Association in recognition of her great service to science education.

Importance of STEM

STEM education includes programs focused on building science, technology, engineering, and math knowledge and skills. STEM is important because many employers worldwide seek workers with knowledge in these subjects, and this trend is expected to continue.

Chirico and Wickliff will be leading the Catawba River District’s second K-20 STEM Outdoor Learning Fair on Sept. 28 at the Duke Energy Explorium. The K-20 STEM Outdoor Learning Fair serves 5th graders from the River District’s participating schools including Gaston County’s Catawba Heights Elementary and Ira Rankin Elementary and CMS schools Mountain Island Elementary, River Oaks Academy and Whitewater Academy.            

About The Catawba River District

The River District is a regional organization committed to sustainable community and economic development for a 16,000-acre area including portions of Mount Holly, Belmont and northwest Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Since the River District’s founding in 2008, numerous community and education partners have responded to district’s vision and the opportunity to transform this area into a model for “green” community and economic development, education and regional cooperation.    

The River District is a vital part of the Charlotte region’s watershed and includes the US National Whitewater Center, the North Carolina Educational Forest, and parts of the Carolina Thread Trail.