Future Innovators on display this week

Tucson-area families are invited Wednesday to Cox Communications’ Future Innovators Night at the Tucson Convention Center.

The event, which will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Exhibit Halls A-C, will include hands-on science and engineering demonstrations and is part of the Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Fair.

Participants can make a comet, watch physics in action, generate energy, create potions, handle live animals and view research from the top 2,000 students in the region. The event is free and parking at the TCC is included.

Lauffer Middle School
picked as national model

A Sunnyside School District middle school is being lauded for preparing students for college.

Billy Lane Lauffer Middle School has been selected to serve as a national demonstration school due to its successful use of the AVID program. AVID — Advancement Via Individual Determination — is an international program designed to close the achievement gap. It is implemented in nearly 5,000 schools in 16 countries, but only 2 percent become national demonstration schools.

Lauffer was commended on the consistent use of evidence-based instructional strategies that require students to think at higher levels.

Green Fields to give glimpse of constellations, planets

Green Fields Country Day School is holding a star party and food truck roundup Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Telescopes, astronomers and food trucks will be the focus of the free event, which is open to the public and will be held on campus, 6000 N. Camino de la Tierra.

Visitors can view constellations and at least four planets — Mars, Uranus, Venus and Jupiter. Astronomy-related activities also will be available in the library.

Sahuarita leader certified

Manny Valenzuela, leader of the Sahuarita Unified School District, has earned his national superintendent certification.

Valenzuela was one of nearly 30 leaders recognized by the American Association of School Administrators for completing the 18-month certification process.

The National Superintendent Certification process was launched in 2013 and helps teach educators world-class instructional leadership, and how to build and manage a district budget and using 21st-century technology effectively.

The only other Arizona superintendent earning national certification was Lupita Hightower of Tolleson Elementary School District in Glendale.

Open houses

• Desert Springs Academy is holding an open house event Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m.

Prospective students are invited to learn more about the free charter school, 10129 E. Speedway, which serves grades K-8.

• The Tucson Hebrew Academy is hosting a communitywide open house Friday from 10 a.m. to noon.

Families and community members will have a chance to tour the campus, 3888 E. River Road, and learn more about the private K-8 school’s programming.

Tuition assistance is available.

Marana High team wins pit crew event

Marana High School’s automotive pit crew team placed first in the 23rd annual Arizona High School Pit Crew Challenge.

More than 500 students from 15 Arizona high school automotive programs competed in the event on Feb. 27.

The timed challenge includes teams of students performing tasks on vehicles and car engines.

The Marana High team took home a trophy, banner and a $6,000 Snap On tool box provided by the Universal Technical Institute.