Students at
St. Francis High School in Traverse City will hopefully be getting a better environment to study the sciences soon, as the school announced it is starting a fundraising effort to renovate its science labs.
The goal is to help students to compete in scientific fields and enter college well-prepared. Principal Erick Chittle says the two science classrooms in need of updates have not been redone since they were originally built, 50 years ago. The rooms in need are the chemistry and physics lab and the biology lab, which the school hopes to update with modern equipment, workstations and other improvements.
"The biology lab will be renovated with nine new student workstations, new lighting, new windows, and upgraded equipment. This renovation will allow for advanced placement work and other higher-level work to occur within the classroom, impacting 300 students. These renovations will ultimately lead to a deeper level of scientific thinking and better opportunities for our students in science-related fields," says Chittle.
St. Francis, part of the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools, is privately funded, so school officials are asking the community for help in the renovations. The goal is to raise $135,000 by April 30, and they currently have raised $45,000, with two major grants to show leadership and support of the fundraising drive, from the Oleson Foundation and the Art & Mary Schmuckal Family Foundation.
Donations in materials and labor also are accepted, and so far Rick Skendzel of Architecture Technology and Jody Bergman of Comstock Construction both have donated their time as consultants for the project.
The renovations are planned for the summer of 2011, so the labs will be functional for students in the fall of 2011.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Erick Chittle, St. Francis High School
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