About Tony LaRussa

Tony LaRussa 412-320-7987
Staff Reporter
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

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Advanced Manufacturing Award: David Burns — The ExOne Co.

Advanced Materials Award: Edward Argetsinger, Jonathan Stinson, Paul Turner, Paul Jablonski — National Energy Technology Laboratory

Catalyst Award: Nancy Minshew — Center for Excellence in Autism Research, University of Pittsburgh

Corporate Innovation Award: Julianne Klara — National Energy Technology Laboratory, Regional University Alliance

Elementary Educator Award: Shannon Merenstein — Environmental Charter School at Frick Park

Middle Level Educator Award: Howard Johnson — Charleroi Area School District

High School Educator Award: Jackie Karenbauer, Jennifer DiPasquale, Mark Buccilli — North Hills School District

Leadership in STEM Education: James Manner, Fu-mei C. Lin — Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh, Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh

University/Post-Secondary Educator Award: Steven Little — University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering

University/Post-Secondary Student Award: Elaine F. Houston — University of Pittsburgh, Human Engineering Research Laboratories

Emerging Female Scientist Award: Tracy Cui, Ph.D. — University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering

Start-Up Entrepreneur Award: Patrick Daly —Cohera Medical

Entrepreneur Award: Raul Valdes-Perez, Jerome Pesenti — Vivisimo

Environmental Award: Robert Enick — University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering

Information Technology Award: Mark DeSantis — kWantera Inc.

Life Sciences Award: David Vorp — University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering

Science Communicator: Peter Lucas, Joseph Ballay, Mickey McManus — MAYA Design Inc.

Honorable Mentions

Elementary Educator: Danielle Kephart — Divine Redeemer School

University/Post-Secondary Educator: Thomas Eatmon — Allegheny College; Edward Schroth — Duquesne University, Center for Environmental Research and Education

Start-Up Entrepreneur: Mike Formica — Three Rivers 3d

Entrepreneur: Jesse Schell — Schell Games

Environmental: Mont Handley — Pittmoss Development Co.; Emily Elliot — University of Pittsburgh

Daily Photo Galleries

Tuesday - June 18, 2013

Monday - June 17, 2013

Sunday - June 16, 2013

Shannon Merenstein did not have a background in science when she interviewed for a job at the Environmental Charter School at Frick Park the summer before it opened in 2008.

But the graduate of Pratt Institute in Brooklyn knew she wanted to find a way to use her training as an artist to help children understand science.

“I was really excited and motivated to be an art teacher,” said Merenstein, 26, of Lawrenceville. “But it's always been really important to me that art and science be connected, so students can learn scientific concepts by making art.”

Merenstein's ability to meld the disciplines won recognition by the Carnegie Science Center, which selected her to receive a Carnegie Science Award in the Elementary Educator category.

“The ... awards spotlight some of the most innovative minds today,” said Ron Baillie, the center's co-director. “These individuals are making a global impact, starting with our own region. We know they are already inspiring a new generation of leaders.”

Merenstein began mixing art and science in the classroom by including rudimentary science lessons about land forms while teaching students how to draw the foreground, middleground and background of a picture, she said.

The process of merging art with science “really took off” when she and science teacher Chelsea Young obtained a grant last year to create a space called the Thinking Lab, where they co-teach classes.

“We took our science curriculum and our art curriculum and meshed them together so they are taught simultaneously,” Merenstein said. “We try to make it seamless, so the students coming into the lab don't know whether they are getting science class or an art class.”

Tawana Cook, principal of the school in Point Breeze, said she was “not at all surprised” to learn that the Science Center will honor Merenstein.

“Because she is such an inspired person, she serves as an inspiration to others,” Cook said.

Tony LaRussa is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-320-7987 or tlarussa@tribweb.com.

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