CU School of Medicine prof wins national honor

Photo by Gabriel Christus / The Aurora Sentinel

J. John Cohen has spent years simplifying science for the masses.
The University of Colorado School of Medicine immunology professor was one of the driving forces behind the "Mini Med" class series, an annual lecture group that teaches the basics of medicine to anyone who is interested. In addition, Cohen has encouraged discussion and intellectual exchanges at the university, pioneering projects like the Cafe Scientifique and the Cafe Pedagogique.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science will recognize Cohen's efforts with its 2010 Award for Public Understanding of Science and Technology, a prize Carl Sagan received in 1995.

APS, Cherry Creek classes canceled for Wednesday, 2/2

Schools in the Cherry Creek School and Aurora Public Schools districts will be closed on Wednesday due to adverse weather conditions.
For a second day in a row, Cherry Creek and APS district officials said weather conditions would be too dangerous for students to travel to school. Citing record low temperatures, district officials said the cold was too dangerous for students traveling long distances to school.

Cherry Creek, APS classes canceled for Tuesday, 2/1

Schools in the Cherry Creek School and Aurora Public Schools districts will be closed on Tuesday due to adverse weather conditions.

Ecotech's Abilene campus opens its doors

Photo by Heather L. Smith/The Aurora Sentinel

AURORA | A new trade school focused entirely on renewable energy, sustainable design and “green” technology welcomed about 200 students to its new, 62,000-square-foot campus in Aurora this week.

Less than a year after the Ecotech Institute opened its first classes in a temporary facility off East Iliff Avenue, officials welcomed new and returning students to its permanent home at 1400 S. Abilene St.

Classes started Monday at the campus near East Mississippi Avenue and Interstate 225, a building that boasts photovoltaic solar panels and wind turbines on the roof, “solar trees” in the parking lot and motion-triggered lighting systems in the classrooms.

APS board mulls changes to graduation requirements

AURORA | The Aurora Public Schools District Board of Education heard feedback from teachers, parents and district staff regarding proposed changes to graduation requirements during its meeting Dec. 14.

Ritter visits CCA

 Gov. Bill Ritter answers questions at a political science class Nov. 30 at the Community College of Aurora. Photo by Heather L. Smith/The Aurora Sentinel

It was a homecoming of sorts for Bill Ritter.

As the Colorado governor addressed the crowd of students, faculty and administrators gathered in a lecture room at the Community College of Aurora on Nov. 30, he started by summoning his roots. Ritter came as a guest lecturer during the final meeting of CCA’s “Current Political Issues” course, a new class taught by Matt Gianneschi, Ritter’s former education policy adviser.

Nuggets players lead clinic at Aurora Central

photo by Heather L. Smith/The Aurora Sentinel

Anthony Carter had just finished a grueling, three-hour practice; the Denver Nuggets guard was ready to call it a day.

But then he saw the 150 Aurora Public Schools students gathered in the gym on Nov. 30 at Aurora Central High School.

Carter joined teammates Renaldo Balkman, Sheldon Williams and Arron Afflalo to work on basketball drills with 150 students from 17 K-12 APS schools across the district. The four players joined former Nuggets Mark Randall, Walter Davis and Ervin Johnson for the event, which rewarded students for academic excellence in attendance, citizenship and scholarship.