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Students learn about health care

By From staff reports 3 min read
HEALTH FAIR A SUCCESS — Steubenville City Schools held its fourth-annual health fair May 17-19. Elementary and middle schools showcased their knowledge in various areas of science, including those from Pugliese West Elementary School. Pupils displayed their knowledge on DNA, as each building was tasked a different assignment to focus on. The Dr. Santiago Ching Memorial Health Fair was created to get children interested in the field of health. Those taking part in the day’s events included Pugliese pupils, from left, front: Lucas Hoover, Parker Ryals and Kace Yourkovich, and back, Gianna Harris, Ryot Diamond, Nah’zaray Jackson and Vance Shelton. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE -- Elementary and middle school pupils throughout Steubenville City Schools shared what knowledge they have of the medical world during the district's fourth-annual Dr. Santiago Ching Memorial Health Fair. The event, held May 17-19, featured judges assessing each grade level's health knowledge based on what they presented.

Each building had its own health theme. The high school did not take part in this year's health fair as it has in the past. The remaining schools completed a project for their building and broke up topics into separate projects for classes in grades preschool through eighth-grade.

Harding Middle School focused on the body's systems; Pugliese West Elementary studied DNA; McKinley STEM selected eyeing the cell; East Garfield Elementary wanted to involve pupils in the five senses; senses and Wells Academy created displays dealing with handling germs and bacteria.

Organizers explained by doing this fair annually, children become better problem solvers. Students shared details about their projects, performed demonstrations and explained the mechanics of their scientific topics.

Judges awarded monetary prizes to the overall school. The following awards were presented: People's Award for best in show, Wells Academy, $500; Most Innovative Design, McKinley STEM and Harding Middle, $500 each; best technology integration, Pugliese West, $500; and East Garfield Elementary, the Light Bulb Award for the most knowledgeable students, $500. Scientist awards were also given, including the Sally Ride Award for most out-of-this-world ideas and projects, Harding Middle; the Percy Lavon Julian Award for most health-related projects, Wells Academy; the Sir Isaac Newton Award for the most activity and moving pieces with their projects, East Garfield and McKinley STEM; and the Charles Darwin Award for demonstrating how ideas of their topic changed over time, Pugliese West.

Ching was a physician at Trinity Medical Center and involved in local health clinics. He, along with Kayla DiMarzio, science department chair at Steubenville High School and Gifted Director Jackie Reeves spearheaded the event. Organizers said the fair was a longtime event and promotes enriching activities for students, plus it helps them become better problem solvers.

"We started at the middle school and went to West, McKinley and then East and Wells Academy," DiMarzio said. "Years ago, Dr. Ching met with Jackie Reeves and myself to promote students going into any aspect of health care."

Reeves said other countries are sending more people into medical programs and the key is to have experience in their curriculum early on. DiMarzio and Reeves worked with Ching and soon, the program was incorporated into the school buildings. Ching's wife, Wilma, has been part of the activities in recent years.

"It's all levels of education and curriculum and we're focused on giving them an understanding of the subjects," DiMarzio concluded.

"This is the fourth year for the program but the second year for it being district-wide," Reeves added. "It's really a great way to keep students engaged and expose them to a topic that's exciting and hands on."

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