Jim Rutkowski

Jim Rutkowski, a biology and environmental science teacher at Strong Vincent High School in Erie, was recently recognized as the ‘High School Teacher of the Year for 2005’ by the Carnegie Science Center.

Rutkowski was recognized for his work in bringing a very unique project called “SCUBA Do’s” to fruition. During this program, a group of 8th and 9th graders from Strong Vincent High School and Villa Maria Academy in Erie studied to become certified SCUBA divers in order to participate in a sediment-collection and sampling project in Presque Isle Bay.

Rutkowski received a grant from Pennsylvania’s Coastal Zone Management Program to support the project.

Last June, student-divers went into the waters of Presque Isle Bay to place a number of sediment-collection devices at the mouths of both Cascade and Mill Creeks. These newly-designed devices were placed in 18 feet of water.

In September, the students retrieved these devices and replaced them with a new set; this set will be retrieved this spring. The collected sediment samples were tested for heavy metals and PAHs and early results are encouraging as Presque Isle Bay continues as an EPA ‘Area in Recovery’.

Rutkowski, who has been a teacher for 34 years, was a runner-up for the Carnegie award two years ago but has called this award the “frosting on the cake.” He believes in learning by doing and instilling a strong sense of environmental stewardship in his students.

For more information on ‘SCUBA Do’s’, contact Jim Rutkowski at Strong Vincent High School in Erie at 814-874-6522 or e-mail: jk.touch@verizon.net

5/6/2005