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Wallenpaupack Engineering Competition Celebrates Student Innovation and CreativityOctober 29, 2026Students including a team from Western Wayne High School recently put their engineering skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities to the test at the Wallenpaupack Engineering Competition, where teams designed and built devices inspired by real-world drone pickup and delivery technology.
The challenge required students to construct a device that could be operated while being held by a single string. The device had to pick up, transport, and release objects of various shapes, sizes, and weights. Items included Styrofoam balls, cylinders and cones, a toy car, a wooden block, a golf ball, and a baseball.
Working with a limited supply of materials, including plastic tubs, popsicle sticks, tape, string, and paper clips, students used a variety of tools to bring their designs to life. Teams had to think critically, experiment with different approaches, and make adjustments to improve their devices’ performance. The goal was to successfully pick up and transport as many objects as possible.
The overall winning team from Western Wayne consisted of Hunter Burry, Makenzie Chearney, Eric McGrath, Shin-Cheon Moon, and Cameron Press. In addition to winning the overall team competition, the students earned both the Innovator Award and the Million Dollar Idea Award, recognizing their success and creativity throughout the challenge.
Another Western Wayne team also participated in the competition, consisting of Olivia Moyer, Christopher Pane, Evan Gallagher, Ben McCleland, and Kyle Matthews. Their participation provided another opportunity for students to apply engineering concepts, collaborate with teammates, and develop solutions to a hands-on design problem.
The Wallenpaupack Engineering Competition challenged students to do more than build a device. It encouraged them to apply engineering principles, test their ideas, overcome design obstacles, and work together toward a common goal. These experiences help students develop valuable skills in innovation, critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving.
Congratulations to Hunter Burry, Makenzie Chearney, Eric McGrath, Shin-Cheon Moon, and Cameron Press on their outstanding achievement, and congratulations to all students who participated in this engaging engineering challenge!
From left: Cameron Press, Hunter Burry, Makenzie Chearney, Shin-Cheon Moon, and Eric McGrath.
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Students Attend Youth Leaders Public Health SummitOctober 26, 2026Western Wayne students among other students from various schools attended the Youth Leaders Public Health Summit on Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Geisinger School of Health Sciences. They were welcomed by a speech from Rotary member Andy Lane Chapman, Rotary District Governor, District 7410. In addition to other activities throughout the day, they heard from Annamarie Rodriquez, GSHS Pathways Program; Ty Holmes, advanced polio application; and Dr. Alison Brodginski, infectious disease. In breakout sessions they heard from experts in their field: Amanda Roome, PhD, on the topic of fighting infectious disease; Jon Naugle, on the topic of water, sanitation, and hygiene; and Carol Goodman, on the topic of the history of polio. The event was sponsored by Rotary. Western Wayne students who attended included: Igor Barth, Kylie Morcom, Maci Lazorchak, Olivia McGlone, Raelyn Simpson, and Kaelyn Chearney.
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Safety first at Evergreen ElementaryOctober 23, 2026A big thank you to Officer Jorge for teaching our students all about our bus safety rules that help keep everyone safe on the road.
We would also like to extend a special thanks to Curt Carouth for generously allowing us to use his bus for this important hands-on lesson.
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- Support Staff VacanciesOctober 23, 2026Please take a look at the available support staff positions. Thank you!
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AP Biology Students Explore Field Ecology at Lacawac SanctuaryOctober 23, 2026Students in Western Wayne High School’s Advanced Placement (AP) Biology class recently traded their classroom for the forest during an educational field trip to Lacawac Sanctuary and Biological Field Station. The hands-on experience allowed students to step into the role of field ecologists as they investigated the complex relationships between organisms and their environment in northeastern Pennsylvania’s woodland ecosystems.
Throughout the day, students participated in authentic ecological research activities designed to connect classroom concepts with real-world environmental challenges. Working in research teams, students explored forest biodiversity, identified native and invasive species, and examined the impact of white-tailed deer populations on forest regeneration.
One of the highlights of the experience was an investigation of Lacawac’s deer exclosures, fenced areas designed to prevent deer from browsing on vegetation. Students compared ecological conditions inside and outside the exclosures to better understand how deer populations can influence plant diversity, forest structure, and the ability of young trees to regenerate.
Using scientific field equipment, including transect lines, ocular tubes, and forest densiometers, students collected data on canopy density, ground vegetation, and plant diversity. These techniques provided students with firsthand experience in the sampling methods used by professional ecologists to study environmental change.
Students also practiced identifying trees and other plant species using dichotomous keys and observational field skills. Discussions about invasive species and their effects on native ecosystems encouraged students to consider the challenges of maintaining biodiversity and protecting Pennsylvania’s forests.
The experience directly supported concepts studied in the AP Biology curriculum, particularly ecology, biodiversity, population dynamics, and the interactions between organisms and their environments. Students were challenged to move beyond simple observations and use scientific evidence to explain ecological patterns and evaluate how environmental factors influence ecosystem stability.
An important component of the field experience was developing students’ scientific reasoning skills. By collecting authentic data, comparing environmental conditions, and considering multiple factors that influence forest health, students engaged in the same types of investigations conducted by practicing scientists.
The trip also reinforced the importance of environmental stewardship, a central theme in Western Wayne’s AP Biology curriculum. By investigating ecological challenges within their own region, students gained a greater appreciation for the importance of conservation, responsible wildlife management, and protecting local biodiversity.
Experiences like this help students recognize that biology extends far beyond the classroom. Through partnerships with organizations such as Lacawac Sanctuary and Biological Field Station, Western Wayne students have opportunities to apply scientific knowledge, develop critical thinking skills, and explore potential careers in environmental science, ecology, conservation, and natural resource management.
Western Wayne High School extends its appreciation to the educators and staff at Lacawac Sanctuary for providing students with an engaging and meaningful field-based learning experience. This program was funded by the Western Wayne Education Foundation which receives local donations through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program.
Front row, from left: Maha Tanveer, Abbie Washine, Annie Williams, Madelyn McClure, Abigail Bell, Alicia Wertman, Madison Kizer, Gianna Barletta, and Olivia Haines. Back row from left: Sadie Booths, Layla Persaud, Ava Fiorella, Sophia Ochlan, Raegan Fox, Gavin Zeiler, Evan Korea, and Patrick Donahoe.
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