Bear Essential News Tucson January 2023 Edition

Cane’s In the CLASSROOM!

Education is an important focus area of Raising ane’s. any educators and parents are not aware of the free programs that Raising ane’s has to give back to the community at no cost to educators or schools.

ind out how your students or children can benefit from the fun and free programs featured below.

Fundraising Has Never Been So FUN!

RAISING NDS WITH RAISING ANE’S:

Organizations in the community like schools, faith-based organizations, scouting groups, sports teams and other groups can hold a fundraiser at Raising ane’s. Once a time and date is set up at a specific Raising ane’s location, the school or organization can distribute flyers or use social media to invite members of the community to attend their fundraiser. During the time of the fundraiser,

Raising ane’s will donate 1 of sales during that specific time slot to the school or organi ation. All the community that wants to help with the fundraiser has to do is mention they are there to support the organization doing the fundraising when they order their meal.

Scan the R code to learn more.

Cane’s Word Scramble

BOOKMARKS:

A cute bookmark with seven paw prints on it is given to educators and schools. After a student reads a book, the teacher signs off on a paw print. After all seven paw prints are signed, the student may redeem the bookmark at a Raising ane’s location and receive a free kids combo. This reward program is for students age 1 and under.

ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS:

Each progress report period educators can honor students with accomplishments like Perfect Attendance, Honor Roll, ost Improved, Spelling Bee hamps, Sportsmanship or other recognition the teacher feels a student has earned. These Achievement Awards can be redeemed at a local Raising ane’s for a free kids combo. This reward program is for students age 1 and under.

Contact your local Raising Cane’s for more details.

News Highlights

SciTech

Festival— Gears for the Future!

Get in on the fabulous futuristic fun as the Arizona SciTech Festival kicks off its 2023 STEM events at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale on Jan. 21 & 22.

This is the dozenth year of the SciTech Festival and its second year kicking things off on the worldfamous auction block with Barrett-Jackson, where millions of dollars worth of collectible cars are sold. Arizona SciTech has an entire concourse surrounding dozens of these dream cars. But with huge INNOVATIONS in transportation, SciTech’s theme at the auction is “Gearing for the Future.”

There will be dozens of Science, Tech, Engineering and Math-related booths you can be INSPIRED by, plus a SciTech stage where prizes will be awarded and interesting people will share their STEM stories. uch of SciTech’s focus at Barrett- ackson will be on opportunities right here in Arizona in the booming industry of electric vehicles!

“This year we launch Gearing for the uture’ along with the Barrett-Jackson community at WestWorld in Scottsdale,” explains Kelly Green, Chief Operating Officer for SciTech. “We’re teaming up the goal is to focus on the future of automotive engineers and technicians.”

Green is thrilled that our state is a hub for the

blossoming field. “The future of electric vehicles is here, and it’s especially here in Ari ona with Nikola trucks, all of the semiconductor industry here, the data centers to store all that information on your vehicle.

It’s really ama ing, she emphasi es. ompanies like Lucid Motors, Ford, Blue Origin Aerospace and the University of Advancing Technology will have exhibits. Kids 12 and under get in free with a paying adult as part of the auction’s amily Day on Saturday, an. 1.

The SciTech Festival has more than 2,000 events happening now through March throughout Arizona.

Like last year, the festival is doing a hybrid model that includes in-person and online events. The festival is for those from 3 to 103. For a list of AZ SciTech events in your area go to AZSciTech.com

Freezing Weather Brings Tragedy to the US

Winter Storm Elliot brought hazardous weather and chaotic conditions to much of the United States just days before Christmas.

The winter storm brought blizzard conditions to several states, as well as strong winds and brutally cold temperatures to the majority of the country. The conditions were severe enough that Elliot became a BOMB CYCLONE!

More than 200 million people were under some sort of warning or advisory due to the storm, including blizzard and winter storm warnings. The coldest temperature on Dec. 22 in the continental United States was recorded in Elk Park, Montana. It hit -50°F with a wind chill of -74°!

The storm knocked out power to about 1.7 million people, and several power companies created rolling blackouts to reduce energy demands. Holiday travel was also affected, with about 1 , ights cancelled due to bomb cyclone.

Sadly, at least 64 people lost their lives due to the storm. People died in 13 states, and the majority of

the fatalities were reported from Erie County, New York, which includes Buffalo. The city is no stranger to heavy snow and FRIGID temperatures, but this storm brought hurricane-force winds and whiteout conditions.

Extreme Meteorologist Reed Timmer described it as “one of the most extensive, most intense bli ards I’ve ever covered.” For comparison, Buffalo of cially received more than 100 inches of snow by the end of December 2022. The city’s seasonal average for the entire winter is 95.4 inches. Wildlife across the country was also impacted by the cold and wind. Wildlife rescues in several states saved cold-stunned turtles during the storm. If ocean temperatures drop, sea turtles can become hypothermic and semi-conscious, causing them to oat, defenseless to predators or oncoming boats. Fortunately, in South Texas, more than 150 of the turtles were released back into the wild the week after the storm once temperatures warmed up enough for them to safely return home!

Huge Meteorite Has Two New Minerals

Have you ever heard of elaliite and elkinstantonite?

You’re certainly not alone if you haven’t because they were just recently discovered on Earth! Scientists IDENTIFIED two minerals that have never been seen on our planet from a slice of meteorite that was discovered in Somalia in 2020. The meteorite, weighing in at 33,510 pounds, is the ninth-largest meteorite ever found!

The two new minerals were found in a small slice of the meteorite that was sent to the University of Alberta for study and classi cation. There is a third potential mineral being considered as well. Chris Herd, a professor in the Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences and curator of the

NEW MINERAL FACTS:

• Location of discovery: Somalia

• Year meteorite found: 2020

• Weight of meteorite: 33,510 pounds

niversity of Alberta’s eteorite ollection, believes that more new minerals might be found in additional samples of the meteorite!

“Whenever you nd a new mineral, it means that the actual GEOLOGICAL conditions, the chemistry of the rock, was different than what’s been found before, says Herd. “That’s what makes this exciting: In this particular meteorite you have two of cially described minerals that are new to science.”

Elaliite gets its name from the meteorite itself, which is called the “El Ali” meteorite, because it was found near the town of El Ali.

The other mineral, elkinstantonite, is named after Lindy Elkins-Tanton, vice president of AS ’s Interplanetary Initiative. Herd said that Elkins-Tanton has done a lot of work in the eld and it made sense to recognize her contributions.

Andrew Locock, head of the University of Alberta’s Electron icroprobe aboratory, was brought in to help analyze the sample from the meteorite. Herd said ocock’s rapid identi cation was possible in this case because the minerals were previously synthetically created, meaning scientists have created the minerals in a lab before. This meant that Locock was able to match the composition of the newly discovered natural minerals with the human-made minerals scientists had already created.

Credit: University of Alberta

Photo: David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Boomer Bear and Nova watch the robot parade.

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WWII Vet Shares His Incredible Story

by Elite Reporter Lizzy Barrett

Story of World War II and the Infamous Stalag 17.”

In September 1940, Ram became activated in the infantry and served a one-year enlistment. The infantry was the backbone of the military, supplying necessities like food and clothing. Ram decided to re-enlist when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

Ram re-enlisted in the US Army Air Corps as a radioman/gunner as well as a bomber crewman. His job was to communicate with other planes using Morse code. In radio school he learned all about radios, receivers, transmitters, etc. in B-17s and B-24s. Helno-Gal was his B-17 where he was the radio operator and also was a trained aerial gunner.

Written by Kids— for Kids

Getting My Tonsils Removed

by Reporter Aeneas Pedregó Homeschool

I went to the ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat doctor) for breathing problems and the doctor told me I had to get surgery to take my tonsils out. I was pretty terrified since it was my first time having surgery. I’m writing this to kids who also have to have surgery to tell them that they’ll be fine.

I interviewed Walter Ram, a veteran of the U.S Army Air Corps in World War II and a recipient of the Purple Heart. Ram spent part of the war as a POW (prisoner of war) in the infamous Nazi prison camp, Stalag 17. Ram was born in Nogales, Arizona, in 1923. He joined the military at 16 years old because his brothers were a part of the military. Ram faked his age in order to join the military because the minimum age was 18.Ram’s mother didn’t want him to go, but he promised to complete his high school education after the war. Ram faced many hardships at a young age, making him one of the bravest men I know. Ram recently published his book called “Helno-Gal: A Survivor’s

He recalled a time where he and his crewmates were travelling to Iceland from Canada, and they couldn’t find Iceland. Their plane was running out of fuel, so Ram contacted Iceland for a course. He also recalled when they had just found a target near the German border and they were hit. Their engine started burning as well as the tire underneath. Later when they were trying to land he was at the height of the trees. Ram’s plane crashed, but thankfully he and his crewmates survived.

Ram told me about his first five missions as a radioman. He said that his easiest mission was to bomb Orly Field in Paris. He said it was also the first time he had ever seen a German attacker. Ram talked about a close call he had where all of the plane’s bombs had dropped except one, which didn’t fully release from the bomb rack.

MORE WWII VET, page 9 ➧

Sharing Photography with Children Is Amazing

by Reporter Paulina Castro, Twin Peaks K–8

During our November Bear Essential Young Reporter meeting with Linda Solomon, I learned that there is more to taking a photo than just pointing a camera and snapping the picture. Solomon is a photojournalist in Detroit and she specializes in photos of people. She has taken pictures of Beyoncé, Halle Berry, Jennifer Hudson, and Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden. Her photos have neutral backgrounds, natural lighting, and have the person as the subject. When talking about her photo of Vice President Harris, she said, “I didn’t really ask her to pose for me, I just wanted to capture her in the most candid way.”

When Solomon was a child, she loved to take pictures and took her camera everywhere. In her 20s, she took a newspaper-worthy photo and was able to get it into the Detroit newspaper. She then started to work professionally for a community paper. “It was just

that one photograph that changed everything for me,” she says.

Solomon is also the founder of Pictures of Hope, where she and other volunteers teach photography to children. At the end of the lessons, the children are surprised with their own cameras and a card showcasing their pictures and hopes. For more information about the program, visit www.picturesofhope.org

When I got to the surgery center, I was a little scared; but after waiting in the waiting room for a few minutes and getting the gist of the place, I was feeling better. When they called my name, I went into this room where there’s some doctors and beds. They put this white coat on me and I laid on the bed.

My parents got to come with me into the first room. I waited for a few minutes for the doctor to bring me into another room, which was a little scarier than the other rooms. They put this mask on my mouth to make me go to sleep. Ten seconds later I was out. While I was asleep, I didn’t feel anything or have any dreams or see anything at all. When I woke up, my throat hurt a little so they gave me a popsicle. The first thing I said I wanted to do was play video games. After all that, I was off to my home!

Normally, it takes about one or two weeks to recover–it took me the full two weeks. There’s food you need to eat and don’t need to eat. You need to eat ice cream and other cold stuff, but the stuff that you’re not supposed to eat is chips and other hard and spicy things.

Overall, I would say that I’d do it all over again so I could do whatever I want, at least during recovery.

in the mountains is a fun way to exercise.

In-line skates are also called this.

comes during Tucson’s monsoon.

Learn to _____________ and how to be safe in the pool.

During weekdays students go to

Brother or ______________

An underground area where you can spelunk, but always go with an adult!

DOWN

Wear a ________________ when rollerblading to protect your wrists.

_______________ care for you in the hospital.

Wear a ___________ when you rollerblade, bike or skateboard.

Also wear ________ on your legs when rollerblading.

Put a _______ over a small cut.

Always wear a helmet when you go for

In school, you learn in a ___________ .

To learn you do _________ after school.

If you’re in an accident, you go to the

It’s to be healthy and happy

Listen to your __________ at school.

____________ help you when you need health care.

by Mary DeStefano

As we begin 2023, we might reflect on 2022 and make a few resolutions. But how can we add value to our lives as well as that of our loved ones?

Consider MUSIC! A 91-year-old friend in Idaho, who has always immersed herself in music, recently shared how music enriches our lives. (See below.)

I’ve also read an article that says studies show that children who participate in music activities are five times more likely to graduate and three times more likely to receive a bachelor’s degree usic is tied to effective learning as children love music and learning to read is often paired with songs. It helps one use all parts of the brain.

My granddaughter told me that learning and playing an instrument in school makes her feel special. A friend shared that music directly helped his academic development and that he continues to carry music throughout his life. Numerous teacher friends told me that music is essential and should be a key component in every classroom. It can be incorporated into any sub ect, too

Music instruction offers students a collective team experience as they produce the combined sounds to complete a piece of music. Thus it provides a sense of community.

As a parent, teacher or grandparent, I encourage you to find ways that bring music into your home or classroom. Play a variety of music. Study a famous composer and share the music. Draw a chalk picture as you listen to an orchestra play. usic connects cultures and people, so check out the music of another country.

Maybe my sister said it best: When you take music forward in your life, you are never alone.

WHY MUSIC

Music is a science.

Music is mathematical. Music is a foreign language. Music is history.

Music is physical education. Music develops insight and demands research.

Music is all of these things, but most of all –Music is art.

SO WHY TEACH MUSIC?

So you will be human.

So you will recognize beauty. So you will be closer to an infinite beyond the world.

So you will have more love, more compassion, more gentleness, more good —In short, more LIFE.

Image: shutterstock.com

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More WWII Vet

Everyone tried to figure out how to deploy the bomb, but nothing worked. They were close to landing the plane, but were still at a high enough altitude to bail out. If the bomb were to deploy, it would explode their plane into pieces. Their pilot wanted to take the plane in, so Ram and his team stayed together until their plane safely landed.

On June 13, 1943, Ram and his crewmates were shot down in Kiel, on the North side of Germany by the Baltic Sea. He was severely injured and the Germans took him into Stalag 9C, one of the German hospitals. In German, Stalag means a prison camp for noncommissioned officers or enlisted men.

Soon, Ram was on a train from Hamburg to Frankfurt, and then to the SS center. Ram was taken into a small room where he was interrogated by an SS officer. He asked Ram personal questions including what Ram’s plans were, who he was, etc. Ram never gave the officer a straight answer, instead saying, “I don’t know.

He and everyone else were starved and were freezing to death. They had big long barracks, with big windows without any glass, just holes. They were given little to no coverings to keep themselves warm.

Ram was liberated by General George Patton’s Third Army about two miles away from a town called Braunau, Austria. Unfortunately, his two brothers, Alex and Humberto, died and did not make it back. Both of his brothers served in the infantry in the Pacific. When Ram returned home, he was a completely different person than when he first left. He weighed 160 pounds as a prisoner, but after the liberation he weighed around 96 pounds. He was nothing but bones.

Walter Ram is an inspiration to many people, teaching us to persevere through even our worst times. I think it is a wonderful book for people to read. It is also a great way for students to learn about history. (Read an expanded version of this story at Bear's website.)

MORE SCOOPS, page 25 ➧

CONGREGATION ANSHEI ISRAEL ESTHER B. FELDMAN PRESCHOOL

An inspiring, nurturing and loving preschool program open to ALL families with children 14-months to Pre-K.

Proudly teaching children from generation to generation. 5550 E. 5th St. Tucson, AZ 85711 (520) 745-5550 caiaz.org

Dear Boomer, What is the theme this year?

Your friend, A.B.

Good question, A.B.!

Being a monthly newspaper for kids, classrooms and families, we have monthly themes. And starting with the new year, our first issue is all about the Arizona SciTech Festival and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). This huge, statewide STEM celebration kicks off this month at the world famous Barrett-Jackson classic car auction at WestWorld in Scottsdale (see page 3). And there are more than 2,000 SciTech events, both in-person and online, for young and old and everyone in between. The AZ SciTech pullout program is in the middle of this paper!

Your buddy, Boomer Bear

Hey, Boomer! Happy New Year!!!

Hi, Boomer, I do think it is necessary to send astronauts to explore things out in space, and possibly contrast them to things on Earth.

Yours truly, J.R.

Dear Boomer, I am super busy these days from all the work I’ve been doing.

Your friend, A.V. Hang in there, A.V.!

A lot of adults forget just how busy and stressful a kid’s or young adult’s life can be. It’s good to talk about matters like this, get enough rest and enjoy just having some free or down time.

Have a happy 2023, Boomer Bear

Boomer Bear, When it comes to special events, I would like to cover the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show and take pictures!

Your Young Reporter, N.M.

Great choice, N.M.!

Hello, Mr. Boomer!

When it comes to science or technology topics, I’m really interested in DNA and the human body.

Yours truly, M.H.

Wow, M.H., what a great field!

Imagine learning about genetics and how your body works (and when things don’t work so well). You could be well on your way to a fascinating or challenging career that you love—and one that could potentially help so many other people.

Follow your dreams! Boomer Bear

Hi, Boomer Bear!

y New Year’s Resolution when it comes to school is to start writing.

Yours truly, D.K.

Sounds like a plan, D.K.

Writing is a great way to grow, whether you keep a journal or diary, write poetry, book reviews or essays. You can also write for this newspaper as a Young Reporter! Kids in grades 2 thru 8 are welcome to join my free program. Just print and mail in the sign-up form at BearEssentialNews.com.

Writers are winners! Boomer Bear

Dear Boomer, Who are your friends?

See ya, V.O.

Happy New Year to You, Too, V.O.!

How has it been for you and your family so far? Have you set any goals or New Year’s resolutions for yourself?

Make it a fabulous year, Boomer Bear

I agree, J.R.!

There’s so much to learn about and explore out in space that may help us understand our home world and our origins. NASA’s Artemis program to take us back to the moon is a big step in humans reaching Mars.

To infinity…& beyond! Boomer Bear

Bear Essential News and the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show have worked together longer than I can remember. It happens Feb. 9–12 at the TCC this year and is called “Silica—Agates and Opals and Quartz, Oh My!” I love the Junior Education Area activities and free minerals.

Your friend, Boomer Bear

Your friend, A.B.

Interesting question, A.B.

Over the years working here at Bear Essential News, I’ve made a ton of friends like you through my “Letters to Boomer” column, so keep those letters coming!

Your buddy, Boomer Bear

SciTech Institute is excited to announce the 2023 Arizona SciTech Festival season to inspire interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) across Arizona. Participants of all ages can enjoy fun and engaging events with a variety of activities o ered during this annual celebration while building their STEM knowledge. AZSCITECH.COM

This year, in person Signature Events return to communities around the state while additional hybrid and online options will be o ered to continue the celebration of STEM in Arizona and beyond. The annual Festival is a statewide celebration of STEM that aims to inform, engage and inspire all Arizonans. It was designed to advance STEM awareness and highlight its economic importance by o ering participants a variety of events and hands-on learning opportunities. Over the past 11 seasons, these events and activities have provided individuals of all ages the chance to experience STEM first-hand and see how it impacts their lives.

Spearheaded by the Arizona Commerce Authority, Arizona Science Center, Arizona Technology Council, Arizona Board of Regents, Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, the Arizona SciTech Festival is a wildly successful grassroots STEM collaboration.

BUSINES SES AREN’TTHE ONLYTHING WESCALE.

Somethingbig,boldandexcitingishappeningin theGrandCanyonstate. Cut ting-edgecompanies are launching,testingandscalingnewtechnologiesin Arizona.Ourcultureofinnovation,highlyskilledtalent pool,leanregulatoryenvironment andaffordable operatingcostsprovidetheperfectplatformfor businessgrowthandsuccess.Beyondbeingaplace whereyoucanachieveyourprofessionalgoals,Arizona alsoprovidesalifestylethatallowsyoutoachieveyour personalgoals.Withyear-roundsunshine,endless outdooractivities,andapositiveoutlook,weplayas hardaswework.It’sthisperfectbalancethatmakes lifebetterhere.

Learn more at azcommerce.com

In collaboration with 100+ Signature Event Leads, we present the following ways to have fun with STEM this season!

ANYTIME: explore hundreds of STEM activities and resources by grade or topic at AZSciTech.com.

LIVE: register for special online events to meet STEM professionals and connect with others throughout Arizona via Zoom.

IN PERSON: attend a variety of Signature Events and SciTech Adventures hosted by collaborators across the state. Check the website for the most up to date event details at AZSciTech.com today!

FEBRUARY

Buckeye Air Fair

In 2015, the City of Buckeye joined the Festival by creating two events. The first was a city-wide SciTech crawl that focused on water, medical and astronomy. Participants learned about the science behind forensics and fire apparatuses at the Buckeye Firehouse 703, the latest medical training equipment at the Buckeye Banner Medical facility, astronomy at the Buckeye Sundance Library and a behind the scenes look at how water is cleaned at the Buckeye Wastewater plant. The second opportunity was integrating about a dozen STEM based exhibitors into the Buckeye Air Fair.

Now in 2023, these experiences will be 3 full days of STEM at the Buckeye Airport. The planning committee for the Buckeye Air Fair is excited to increase the number of field trip attendees on Friday and celebrate aviation careers during the weekend. Buckeye has welcomed visitors from across the state and are anticipating even more participation this year. The City of Buckeye has enjoyed the collaboration with the Arizona SciTech Festival over the years and look forward to many more!

Cave Fest

Over the two day event, participants at Cave Fest engaged in a variety of activities hour by hour, viewed special displays, and listened to presentations about the science of the cave! Many even took a tour inside and met amazing new friends.

This event was able to connect the public with the wonders of a pristine underground world!

Kartchner Caverns State Park is a state park of Arizona, featuring a show cave with 2.4 miles of passages. The park is located 9 miles south of the town of Benson and west of the north-flowing San Pedro River.

Little Free Library STEM Kit Project

In collaboration with the Rural Activation Innovation Network, Southwest Human Development, and public libraries around the state, our team is having a blast compiling STEM kits for the sponsored LFLs.

The support from Avnet and Literary Society of the Southwest has been crucial to our growth of the program!

Over the past year, 1000 themed STEM kits and more than 200 books have been shipped to LFLs in Show Low, Camp Verde, Cottonwood, Sedona, Cornville, Sa ord City and Graham County!

Join us at ASU’s annual open house for an exciting behind-the-scenes look at the most innovative university in the nation!

ASU Open Door is an opportunity for visitors of all ages to participate in hands-on activities and explore laboratories, living collections, museums and innovative learning spaces.

To get your FREE tickets and more information visit opendoor. asu.edu.

Each of ASU’s campuses has a unique identity and we invite you to visit all locations!

Downtown Phoenix: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 1–5 p.m.

West: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, 1–5 p.m.

Polytechnic: Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, 1–5 p.m.

Tempe: Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, 1–5 p.m.

To learn more about Cox’s commitment to bridge the digital divide, visit cox.com/digitalequity.

Bronze Green Living Magazine | Arizona Technology Council

Copper idloom

Gold Foundational Partners Presenting Platinum Silver Every home should have an internet connection.

Find these wintry words or creatures across, up, down, forward or backwards or diagonally:

LET IT SNOW (given)

SNOWFLAKE SNOWMAN

SNOW ANGEL SNOWBOARDING

SNOWFALL SNOWMOBILE SNOWBALL WET SNOW

SNOW MONKEY SNOW GLOBE

SNOWPLOW SNOW LEOPARD

SNOWED UNDER SNOWSTORM SNOWBIRD SNOWED IN SNOW CONE SNOWBOWL

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Math Club Promotes Skills, Fun

by Reporter Maya Pieterse, Immaculate Heart School

Have you ever wondered what a math club does? Immaculate Heart School, home of the Knights on the Northwest side of Tucson, started a Math Club. The club is led by Math Kangaroo facilitator, Dr. Katrina Henry, Assistant Professor of Practice in Environmental Science at the University of Arizona. Meetings are held twice a week for 30 minutes and students will be participatingin and hosting the Math KangarooCompetition on March 16.

“Math Kangaroo is an international math competition held every year in March. We practice problems from the Math Kangaroo tests and we learn about math concepts like fractals, series, and probability. We also play math games, but most importantly, almost everything we do in life uses math. Fluency helps us understand the world around us,” Henry says. The annual competition aims to encourage students to develop mathematical skills and apply these in their daily lives.

Henry shares with us what got her interested in math and what her plans are for the students enrolled in the math club. She says, “I enjoyed math as an elementary student, but I got some answers wrong, I enjoyed the math puzzles, and my goal is to get students interested in math puzzles.”

Maya shows her work.

Math Club member Nora Hadeed expressed pride in being in the Math lub and says, “I like solving math pu les because it’s a fun way to learn math and being with my friends and solving problems together.”

I decided to enroll in the Math Club because learning math is good—it helps you with money, makes you a better cook, solve puzzles, and I must admit I am having fun learning and making fractal trees.

Preschool–8th Grade 9415 E. Wrightstown Rd. Tucson, AZ 85715 PS • 520-795-7161 K8 • 520-885-4800

High School & Central Services 7525 E. Speedway Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85710 HS • 520-298-5817 CS • 520-901-5499

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CSO Passing Down Leadership Skills

by CSO, Ben Doerksen, Phoenix

I have been a hief Science Of cer for seven years. I was elected towards the end of my fth-grade year and attended eadership Training Institute in the summer of 1 . Now, I am a senior at Verrado High School in Buckeye.

Throughout my involvement in SO, I have had many exciting action plans that increased STE awareness. Some years, I stuck with one. Other years, I had help from fellow SOs at my school to collaborate and create many action plans. y eighth-grade year included action plans such as creating a eld trip for the fth graders, inviting S NI the robot to be a guest speaker, and hosting hands-on STE onstrations with elementary students. One of my favorite action plans was one that I started last year.

I helped to found my school’s Green Hand lub. We are a garden club on campus that focuses on horticulture and environmentalism. Every week, we would water our plants and discuss club expansion. I was able to use my passion for video making to create weekly update videos. The videos have accumulated over thousand views on Instagram and we have grown to be one of the most prevalent clubs on campus.

This year, I am focused not only on expanding the club as we plan to create a permanent garden, but also e uipping the other members of the club with the important leadership skills that I have received through the SO program. I have taught the club reporter how to create the weekly update videos. I have recommended the treasurer to take a leadership role as the fundraising committee chair, and I have shown the Vice President how to organi e and run the club. It will be dif cult saying goodbye in ay, but I am so thankful for every single opportunity.

Doerksen at the 2022 SciTech Festival