STRATFORD — Wooster Middle School science teacher Christopher Newlan will represent the state in a contest that encourages educators to focus on solutions for real world problems using science and technology.
Newlan said Friday he can’t take all the credit for working on a way to prevent water waste.
He had 60 of his eighth grade students proposed ideas. He submitted the one they collectively agreed was the most interesting.
This is Newlan’s second time winning the state competition in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest. The first time his project also involve water conservation.
From here he will compete on the national level and if his is one of the top 10 lessons selected, he will present the idea to a panel of judges in New York.
Newlan promises to bring students with him if he does.
“I took a different approach this time,” Newlan said. “It was a much more student-centered idea.”
Several weeks ago Connecticut was placed under a drought watch. Wooster students didn’t have to be told. They noticed the water level in pond behind their school was low.
The basic idea behind the lesson is to create a way for people to track their water usage — much the same way someone would keep track of steps they take. Perhaps using a smart phone.
“You could set goals about how much water you want to save, and talk about how you might do that,” Newlan said.
The idea is not to stop using or drinking water, but to make students more aware of how they use it.
“It’s a limited resource,” Newlan said.
When he told students Friday they won the state contest they were very excited.
Winning the state contest means Wooster will get $25,000 to spend on technology.
Newlan was one of five teachers in the state announced last week as statewide finalists. Another was Carrie Ryall, a 10th grade biology teacher at Bassick High School. Other Connecticut state finalists include a teacher from Danbury High School, the Engineering and Science University Magnet School in Hamden and Plainville Community School.
Ultimately, there will be three national winners will be named and honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. The winning schools will receive a $150,000 technology grant as well as a $20,000 donation to their nonprofit of choice.
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