New Club at JHS

Technology Student Association (TSA) will be available to JHS students in the upcoming school year. The Technology Student Association is devoted to the needs of students interested in technology. Members will learn through exciting competitive events, leadership opportunities and much more. The diversity of activities makes TSA a positive experience for every student. Students can work individually or as a team in over 30 different competitions in areas such as agriculture and biotechnology, website design, dragster design, flight challenge, film technology, CAD with 3D modeling, desktop publishing, extemporaneous speaking, radio controlled transportation or scientific visualization. TSA takes the study of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) beyond the classroom and gives students the chance to pursue academic challenges among friends with similar goals and interests. Members will work on competitive events both in the classroom and after school. They can also attend conferences at the local, state, and national levels, and have a good time raising funds to get there. Education directives at the federal and state levels focus on providing avenues for initiatives such as STEM education. All TSA activities are correlated to the Standards for Technological Literacy, as set forth by the International Technology Education Association (ITEA). TSA’s activities will be used during the school day in the classroom and extend the learning beyond the classroom.

GJHS Launches Robotics Classes

As part of the new Engineering and Technology Department GJHS students will now be able to participate in two Robotics Classes. Robotics is an engaging way to integrate all facets of STEM education into the classroom. The introductory course which began this year gives students a broad base in introductory robotics concepts. Students practice their skills by using robots to solve real-world problems in a classroom environment. The students use the VEX Robotics Design System. VEX offers students an exciting platform for learning about areas rich with career opportunities spanning science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Robotics projects encourage teamwork, leadership and problem solving among groups. Starting in the 2010-11 school year students will have a course offering called competitive robotics. Head-to-head competition is a natural way to capture students' attention. Competitions will be specifically tailored to bring STEM concepts into the classroom. Students who choose Competitive robotics will design, build, test, analyze and then compete against students from other schools at the local, state, and national levels. During the excitement that comes with building and competing with their robots, students will be having too much fun to realize they're learning important STEM concepts and life skills.

Trojans Display at Energy Fair

Greater Johnstown Seniors Tyler Arsenault and Jerrell Hardison designed and created an Eco-friendly model home to display at the Central PA Energy Fair at the Pasquerilla Conference Center in downtown Johnstown. The model includes; working solar panels to light the home, an earthen or “live” roof which made from sod, and double pane tinted windows. Tyler and Jerrell’s display was part of a joint effort among state Representatives Frank Burns, Gary Haluska, and Bryan Barbin, and state Senator John Wozniak aimed at helping area residents and businesses find ways to save money on energy and learn about opportunities in the growing field of alternative energy.

Trojans Go Green

A new class offering will provide GJHS students valuable opportunities to collaborate with local industries, trainings, and employment opportunities rising around the region. In the Green and Emerging Technology Class students will analyze the importance of alternative energy and its benefits to our economy. Real-world problems will be given to students and they will develop efficient solutions using methods such as solar electricity and geothermal heating for homes and businesses. Students will develop creative solutions that harness the wind and waterways to generate electricity. Students will also be challenged with problem solving activities that address current needs and global impacts as related to the environment, national dependency on oil, a need for new inventions, designing a smarter electric grid, and gain experience with emerging technologies.

PSU Design Showcase

Students from Greater Johnstown who are considering a career in Engineering had the opportunity to visit Penn State’s Engineering Department Design Showcase at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College. The showcase featured industry-sponsored projects from Penn State seniors graduating in fields like bioengineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering and mechanical engineering. The showcase was organized by the Learning Factory, a University-industry partnership at Penn State that helps educate the next generation of engineers. Johnstown students were given the opportunity to see 92 projects designed and created by Penn State’s Engineering students. This platform allowed High School Students to interact with, and ask questions of the college students and professors about their projects and the process they used to solve the real-world problems presented to them by companies such as Lockheed Martin, General Motors, Consol Energy, Boeing, and BP.

21st Century Trojans

Greater Johnstown High school has implemented a new Engineering and Design curriculum focused on problem-solving based STEM education. The new Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum looks to transform the typical teacher-centered classroom by encouraging a curriculum that is driven by problem-solving, discovery, exploratory learning, and require students to actively engage a situation in order to find its solution. STEM aims to teach independent innovation and allows students to explore greater depths of all of subjects by utilizing skills that are going to be required in order for today’s students to be tomorrow’s global leaders. Jobs in the 21st century are requiring workers to have a greater ability to think critically, communicate ideas, and work as a member of a team. This program will give high school students a chance to refine these important skills making them better prepared to enter the 21st century job market. All students entering the ninth grade will now take a class called Engineering Concepts which will be the introductory class in the program. After the introductory course students at Greater Johnstown High School will have the opportunity to choose classes such as: Emerging and Green Technology, Agile Robotics, Structural Development and Design, Transportation Development and Design, and Technology Student Association in the Classroom just to name a few. The Engineering and Technology Department includes Teachers: Barry Deetscreek, Ed Dierling, Richard Capraun, Mark Mosorjak, and Jeff Blanchetti.

JHS Senior Wins Weight Lifting Competition

By: Katie Smolen


To many, the world of power lifting just seems like a fantasy that is created for television screens and films because most people have not seen them in real life. But for one Johnstown High School Senior, Justin Capouellez, the competition is real. He has recently competed in one of these events.

On Saturday, April thirtieth, Capouellez competed in his sixth power lifting contest. Capouellez, who competed in the 148-pound raw division, can bench 435 lbs, lift 905 lbs in the dead lift, and can lift 275 lbs in the squat.

Capouellez, who has been lifting since the 6th grade, started to compete in 2009. Four days a week, he starts his day at 4 AM to help him prepare for his competitions.

Capouellez is coached by JHS Health Education teacher, Dave Schleich, who also has competed in similar power lifting competitions for many years. With his hard work and dedication Capouellez has placed in 5 of his 6 competitions. He hopes that he can continue to succeed in the world of power lifting.