Rutherford Weekly

Students from 16 schools recently participated in the 2022 Science Academy hosted by Gardner-Webb University and sponsored by the Stonecutter Foundation in Spindale. They learned about the Department of Natural Sciences at GWU and studied various aspects of science and applications, such as crime scene investigation and forensic anthropology. Jay Zimmer, assistant professor of Biology at Gardner-Webb, and Jill Francis from Chase High School in Rutherford County, led the program and activities. Francis, who joined the academy for the fi rst time this year, helped recruit students for the week- long event. Benjamin Roach, a ninth-grader at Chase High School, said the experience helped him narrow down his career choice. "Science Academy is a fun, informative experience that will teach you more about science and careers in scientifi c fi elds," he stated. "It has helped me learn that I want to do something in the medical fi eld as a career." Kara Evans, an 11th-grader at Hope Academy in Concord also said she appreciated being able to experience things related to the fi eld she wants to pursue. AJ Leyva, an 11th-grader at Chase High School, and Alexus Poe, a student at East Rutherford High School, not only enjoyed learning more about careers in the science fi eld, but they were grateful for the opportunity to meet new people. Abby Sias, an eighth-grader at Lake Lure Classical Academy in Rutherford County, agreed with Leyva and Poe. She commented, "My week at Science Academy very inspiring, and it was amazing to meet other students with similar goals and interests as myself." Besides classroom activities, the group toured the GWU College of Health Sciences and heard a presentation about medical school and Physician Assistants. They did various activities in the Human Performance Lab. They also learned about the organic chemistry and chemistry instrumentation labs. The students visited Rutherford Regional Hospital and learned about careers in medicine. Cohesion Phenomics in Spindale made a presentation about its organization and the science of DNA and also gave a tour. The Rutherford County Sheriff's Forensics Department demonstrated how crime scenes are analyzed and taught the group how to fi ngerprint with various powders. Students participated in labs each day in the fi elds of biotechnology, physiology, or forensics. They also learned about: Gene sequencing analysis. Bioinformatics—GenBank. Biomechanics, muscle grip and fatigue. Chain of custody. Crime scene basics. Blood spatter analysis. Footprint and hair analysis. The students said their favorite topics were forensics and DNA sequencing. They also liked touring the hospital, sheriff's department and Cohesion Phenomics. A Gardner-Webb admission counselor talked to the group about how to select a college, what questions to ask, how fi nancial aid works, as well as tuition, room and board. Zimmer stressed the importance of internships and research in college and also encouraged the students to join clubs while they are in school and in college. Students attending and their respective school were: Benjamin Roach, Chase; Alejandro Arrendondo, Chase; Andres Leyva, Chase, Kyle Morrow, Chase; Luke Moreno, Master's Academy, Victoria Marko, Master's Academy; Siya Patel, Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy (TJCA); Lillian Moore,, TJCA; Abigail Roof, Rutherford Early College High School (REaCH); Jayden Conner, REaCH; Abigail Sias, Lake Lure Classical Academy; Timothy Campbell, homeschool; Kara Evans, Hope Academy (Concord), Makenzie Johnson, Pinnacle Academy, Cleveland County; Saige Scott, Cleveland Early College High School and Alexus Poe, East Rutherford. ISSUE NO. 29 • July 21, 2022 ISSUE NO. 29 • July 21, 2022 • • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 Our 30 th Year • Over 25,000 Weekly Readers BRING YOUR VEHICLE BY FOR US TO LOOK AT! NO APPRAISAL FEE CHARGED! TOP DOLLAR PAID! PAID! YOUR VEHICLE VEHICLE We Want to Buy We Want to Buy www.mooresautos.com 345 South Broadway, Forest City 828-245-8067 M O O RE ' S AUTO S ALES ©communityfi rstmedia NOW OFFERING NOW OFFERING 187 NORTH POWELL STREET, FOREST CITY ADAS Calibration In House On Vehicles ADAS Calibration In House On Vehicles Equipped With Front-View Cameras Equipped With Front-View Cameras Rutherford, Cleveland students Rutherford, Cleveland students attend GWU's Science Academy attend GWU's Science Academy WE OUR READERS! WE OUR READERS! Article submitted by Jean Gordon; article from GWU. Dusting fi ngerprints by this Science Academy student brought a smile. Sponsored by Stonecutter Foundation ABOUT THE STONECUTTER FOUNDATION: The Foundation has sponsored the math academy at GWU since 2013 and the science academy since 2014. The Foundation, a non- profi t established in 1945, has invested in numerous Rutherford County community institutions such as the town library and Isothermal Community College. Since its inception, the foundation has invested millions into the su su su surr rr rr rrou ou ou ound nd nd ndin in in ing g co co co comm mm mm mmun un un unit it it ity. y. y Science student holds his fi ngerprints - we all have them and none are the same. Jay Zimmer (left) assistant professor of Biology at GWU, and Jill Francis from Chase High School lead the Science Academy. Footprints forensics. A Rutherford County Sheriff's Offi cer offered classes & hands-on forensics study.

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