Bridge-breaking contest
Saint Leo University’s Department of Mathematics and Science will present its annual bridge-breaking competition March 5 at 6 p.m., in Selby Auditorium, Lewis Hall, at 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.
Teams of Saint Leo students constructed model bridges from lightweight wooden sticks and glue, adhering to strict rules on materials and dimensions.
The audience can vote on which bridge is most attractive, and faculty members will test each bridge to see which one can hold the most weight before it breaks.
Admission is free. For information or preferred seating, contact Leo Ondrovic at (352) 588-7408 or .
Special Olympics
More than 1,200 Pasco County athletes will compete in track and field, bocce, cheerleading, cycling and soccer during the Pasco County Special Olympics Summer Games.
The competition will take place at these two schools, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.:
- Feb. 20 at River Ridge High School, 11646 Town Center Road, New Port Richey
- Feb . 21 at Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road
The event will feature free admission and parking, and a concession stand to purchase lunch and snacks.
For information, call Valerie Lundin at (831) 299-4433.
Car show benefit
Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road, will host a car show on Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Preregistration is suggested. Car entry is $20, and a dyno pulls entry is $50.
All cars are welcome. There will be custom-made trophies. Music will be provided by DJ Aquaman.
Proceeds will benefit the Wesley Chapel High School Automotive Academy.
Spectator admission is free.
Students celebrate immigrants
Second-grade students at McKitrick Elementary School in Lutz are learning about citizenship and immigration, and Ellis Island.
In culmination of the studies, each student will take on the persona of an immigrant arriving at Ellis Island in 1900.
Students will relive every aspect of the Ellis Island experience, including packing their belongings, organizing documents and traveling, during this engaged learning program.
More than 200 students and 75 volunteers in period dress will take part in a simulation at the school building, which will be transformed to look like Ellis Island, on Feb. 27.
For information, all Liisa DeTarando at (813) 558-5427.
Luz Prep shoe drive
The Lutz Preparatory School National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is collecting shoes now through March 4.
The footwear collected will provide an economic boost by supporting micro-enterprises in developing nations like Haiti, Colombia, India and Tanzania.
The group will accept clean, gently used (no holes in soles and laces intact), or new shoes.
The goal is to collect 2,500 pairs of shoes to raise $1,000 for the school’s NJHS Chapter.
For pickups and information, call Alicia Locascio at (813) 323-5050.
STEAM conference
Saint Leo University will host its second Women in STEAM Conference, to provide information and resources for women and girls considering career options or training in the growing fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM).
The conference is scheduled for March 6 and March 7 at the Saint Leo campus, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For the adults, the program is geared toward women hoping to transition in STEAM careers and add to their professional skill sets.
Workshops and networking opportunities will be on both days.
Adult registration is $100, which includes admission and lunch.
The youth portion will take place only on March 7. Girls ages 8 to 18 can take part in a variety of STEAM activities.
Registration for the day, which includes lunch, is $50. Some scholarships are available.
Each ticket also comes with a discount code for any 2020 Saint Leo University STEAM Summer Camp.
For information, questions, and requests for accommodations or assistance, visit SaintLeo.edu/women-in-steam-conference.
Scholarship dinner/dance
The African-American Club of Pasco County will host its seventh annual Scholarship Dinner Dance on March 21 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., at Seven Springs Golf and Country Club, 3535 Trophy Blvd., in Trinity.
The event will help to raise funds for $20,000 in scholarships in 2020.
Tickets are $65 per person. Reservations must be made by March 14.
For information and tickets, visit AACPascoFL.org, or call Trish Stevenson at (727) 495-3207.
Traveling science show
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and the National Theatre for Children (NTC) have collaborated to educate and inspire students on the importance of energy conservation with the interactive “Kilowatt Kitchen” show.
Professional actors from NTC visit elementary schools with live assembly performances, sparking conversations in classrooms on energy efficiency.
The show reaches more than 50,000 students a year in FPL’s service area.
“Live theater is a great way to educate,” said NTC president and founder Ward Eames, in a news release.
“The show goes beyond reading or other more passive methods of engaging students. These children are watching a story unfold right before their very eyes,” Eames added.
The program also includes online student playbooks and teacher guides, as well as digital games and activities that align with the concepts outlined in the show.
For information on Kilowatt Kitchen, visit NationalTheatre.com/programs/.
