Seventh Grade Stands Out at S.T.E.M. Competition

Seventh grade students in Ryan Saul’s S.T.E.M. class were the recipients of the Larry French Educational Excellence Award for their presentation at the Future City S.T.E.M. Competition at Delaware Valley Community College in January 2023.

To participate in the Future City Competition, students worked in groups to create a city that combats climate change and the various effects of climate change. Students were challenged to select a climate change impact and design one innovative and futuristic adaptation and one mitigation strategy to keep residents healthy and safe.

To complete this project, students learned about climate change and the various components that are affecting it. Students did their own research to find ways to combat climate change and incorporated what they have discovered into the designs of their cities. For their cities, they needed to determine its location, sources of revenue, how it receives its energy, how it is combating climate change through adaptation and mitigation strategies, how its people get around, and other challenges of creating a functioning city. Once they determined all this information, they went on to create a scale model of their city using recycled materials. They also needed to incorporate a moving piece within the city. It was quite the challenge!

“The students demonstrated their ability to explain their scale model of the city with great confidence,” said Saul. “They answered every question from the judges knowledgeably, and all the feedback they were given was always very positive, complimenting

Fontbonne Vestibule Opening

Following the Legacy Week Prayer Service on February 3, 2023, members of the NFA community along with many members of the Sisters of Saint Joseph party of 1960, dedicated and blessed the new Fontbonne Vestibule. The Sisters in attendance were the first group of Sisters to enter as postulants in the Fontbonne building when it was constructed. This beautiful light-filled space has been dedicated to the Legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph and provides significant enhancement of safety and security on NFA’s campus.

their skills and ideas. It was a very proud moment for me as a teacher and for NFA in general.”

The competition also featured a 1,500-word essay and seven minute presentation. Judges made up of S.T.E.M. professionals asked the team various questions about their city. Petey Quin ’24, Maddie Kolb ’24, Jonah Cohen ’24, and Gabe Carlson ’24 of 7A represented NFA at the competition.

“Each team came up with very clever approaches on how to adapt to and mitigate climate change,” said Mr.

Saul. “All the projects were unique and great builds all around.”

“This was a project that was highly motivating!” said Shannon Craige, Director of Curriculum & Innovation. “Our students were engaged in a dynamic learning experience as they collaborated on the planning of a sustainable city. As the date for the competition neared, it was so exciting to see our students step up their effort and come together as a team. They took passionate ownership of their work and took pride in the finished product. Mr. Saul supported our students through the planning stages, design process, and the presentation. This was a memorable experience for all involved as they lived out the vision statement in an active learning experience!”

Following the Delaware Valley Community College event, the four NFA groups presented their projects to their peers and faculty. Teachers were encouraged to share their thoughts for the best overall group for their build and explanation, awarding 7A as the winner of the in-house pizza party.

Calling All Bears

Generations of NFA fans came out to support the Bears and catch up during the 2022 Homecoming on October 22 at Mount Saint Joseph Academy and La Salle College High School.

Field House Restoration

NFA celebrated another milestone as students and faculty cut the ribbon on the re-opening of the school’s Field House on the Norwood Campus. The Field House, which supports fall and spring sports, was remodeled, painted, and topped off with a new banner. Go Bears!

Soccer Champs

LEAGUE CHAMPS! The varsity co-ed soccer team won the 2022 Catholic Academies League title by defeating Waldron Mercy Academy, 3–1, before a huge crowd at the Water Tower Recreation Center on November 7.

Kings of Snowball

BACK-TO-BACK! The varsity A boys basketball team won the NFA Snowball Tournament for the second consecutive year! This year’s event was held Thursday, February 23 through Sunday, February 26, 2023. Next year, we will celebrate the 50th Annual Snowball Tournament!