ALMONDALE TEACHER WINS SCIENCE AWARD.

Byline: Joanne Crawford Education

An Almondale Middle School teacher has received a national science award for her outstanding work, Almondale's second national award this year.

Science teacher Thelma Schafer was chosen by the National Science Teachers Association for the Ciba Specialty Chemicals Education Foundation Exemplary Science Teaching Award, Middle Level, for her project called ``The Garden of Science and Technology.''

Schafer's idea of a science classroom is one that incorporates the use of computers by every student.

The project has a central theme of life cycles in a garden, where the interconnectedness of everything is emphasized by studying plant life, invertebrates and weather, Schafer said.

Schafer and Keppel Union School District officials have worked with NASA researchers to implement the proper equipment in her classroom, where Apple 2E computers have been converted for scientific use, Schafer said.

Computer learning stations for students are used to record data and measure levels of chemicals in things such as pond water and to measure the amount of rainfall for the season, she said.

The science award is the second national award for Almondale this year, school officials say.

In February, the middle school's performing arts academy received honorable mention in the nationwide Annual Leadership for Learning Awards for 1999, teacher Debbie Logsdon said.

The honor was bestowed to recognize Logsdon's and teacher Rubbie Hodge's efforts to improve student performances by integrating art into the academic curriculum, she said.

The nominees for the award, given out in January, were evaluated by the National Leadership for Learning Committee.

The curriculum integrates an ``art perspective'' into the studies of English, and math concepts and dance are combined in physical education workouts, emphasizing creative thinking skills, Logsdon said.

LANCASTER - Paraclete High School officials are seeking volunteers with technical know-how to help install wiring for computer equipment June 12 as part of the national NetDay.

Volunteers are needed to make classrooms computer, telephone and Internet ready, Paraclete tech coordinator Debbie Adams said.

In addition, donations are needed to purchase a $400 installation kit which will enable the 35-year-old building to meet the data transmission demands of the 21st century, Adams said.

The kit includes a cable and hardware sufficient to wire five rooms, she said.

``Young adults entering the work force need skills,'' Adams said. ``They must be able to reason, write, read and compute. As an educational institution, it is Paraclete's mission to educate and prepare these young adults for the working world. As members of the community, we look forward to working together to provide what these young people need for their future.''

Technical sponsors need to have knowledge of installing the ``CAT 5 enhanced cable and termination'' system, Adams said.

The ``NetDay'' is the first phase of a three-part project which will outfit additional labs and add computers to all of the school's classrooms, she said.

For more information on the Paraclete project, including time scheduling details, call Adams at [phone], ext. 114 or Steve Hagerty at the same number, ext. 111.

The Web site address is www.netday.org.