WHMS science students have electrifying time with eLABorate
By Dave Mast
December 19, 2011
377
Its amazing what a few dollars can open the door to. Thanks to a recent grant, members of the West Holmes Middle School science class were introduced to a whole new world of science advancements. The opportunity to enjoy these technological breakthroughs were a real eye-opening experience, and it all came about thanks to a grant.
West Holmes Middle School was one of several schools in the region to receive a grant from the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio this year.
After completing a grant proposal, Rachel Snyder, seventh and eighth grade science teacher at West Holmes Middle School, received notification that the foundation would be able to support the newly created eLABorate Science elective class with a $500 grant.
eLABorate Science is a STEM-based (Science, Techonolgy, Engineering, Mathematics) elective class that was created to help seventh and eighth grade students learn to use many scientific skills and processes, including inquiry, problem solving, and investigation design, and also includes the examination of career fields related to the investigations.
The grant funds, graciously provided by the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, were used to take the students on a field trip on Friday, Dec. 2 to the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland.
While there, students had the opportunity to explore many hands-on exhibits and labs, and also viewed a presentation about Biomedical Engineering and the impact that this relatively new career field is having right here in Ohio.
The kids all really seemed to have a great time, said Snyder. I know that for several of them, their favorite part was the biomedical technology presentation. One of our students got to drive a remote control car using only the movements of her hands. They hooked up special electrode bands to her arms which read the electrical impulses of her muscles and told the car which way to turn. Its great technology for quadriplegics and those who have lost limbs.
Many of the others enjoyed using the flight simulators to land the space shuttle or the lunar lander. I also know that a couple mentioned the Shadow Room, where a bright strobe light would freeze their shadows on the wall.
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is a regional community foundation and 501(c)3 public charity serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. The foundation attracts contributions for programs and endowment, makes grants for charitable and civic purposes and supports local and regional efforts for positive change. For more information or to learn more about the foundations Im a Child of Appalachia Network (ICAN!) to promote regional access to education, visit http://www.appalachianohio.org.
The mission of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is to enrich the current and future quality of life in the region by fostering access to opportunity. Since its inception in 1999, the foundation has distributed more than $1.3 million in grants to support initiatives in Appalachian Ohio.
