NewsUpper SchoolAcademicsScience
School receives grant for chemistry equipment
May 6, 2009 10:55 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Darlington is one of only four schools in Georgia to receive an outreach grant from the American Chemical Society and the Hach Scientific Foundation for the support of its chemistry program. Only 146 schools nationwide were selected to receive a grant from over 400 applicants.
“The high volume of interest in our program speaks to both the high need for quality support for future and existing chemistry teachers as well as the tremendous network and marketing potential of the American Chemical Society to ensure the assistance gets into the hands of those who need it most,” said Bryce Hach, senior education consultant for the American Chemical Society.
Chemistry teacher Julia Dodd said she found out about the grant through a chemistry listserv a couple of months ago and decided to apply. Darlington will use the $1,489 grant to purchase hot plates, stirrers and micro stir bars for the lab.
Over the past 10 years at Darlington, the average yearly enrollment in the AP Chemistry course has increased from less than 10 students to over 22 students. A new senior-level Introductory Organic Chemistry Honors course that began four years ago has averaged 18 students per year. In addition, there are two Honors Chemistry classes and five General Chemistry classes. Previously, the General Chemistry courses did not require students to perform experiments; now, all nine chemistry classes have laboratory components.
"All three chemistry teachers are dedicated to providing laboratory activities for all students, but scheduling lab time and locating equipment for experiments and demonstrations is frequently very hectic," Dodd said. "The additional equipment funded by this grant will allow more opportunities for laboratory activities for all levels of chemistry classes."
“The high volume of interest in our program speaks to both the high need for quality support for future and existing chemistry teachers as well as the tremendous network and marketing potential of the American Chemical Society to ensure the assistance gets into the hands of those who need it most,” said Bryce Hach, senior education consultant for the American Chemical Society.
Chemistry teacher Julia Dodd said she found out about the grant through a chemistry listserv a couple of months ago and decided to apply. Darlington will use the $1,489 grant to purchase hot plates, stirrers and micro stir bars for the lab.
Over the past 10 years at Darlington, the average yearly enrollment in the AP Chemistry course has increased from less than 10 students to over 22 students. A new senior-level Introductory Organic Chemistry Honors course that began four years ago has averaged 18 students per year. In addition, there are two Honors Chemistry classes and five General Chemistry classes. Previously, the General Chemistry courses did not require students to perform experiments; now, all nine chemistry classes have laboratory components.
"All three chemistry teachers are dedicated to providing laboratory activities for all students, but scheduling lab time and locating equipment for experiments and demonstrations is frequently very hectic," Dodd said. "The additional equipment funded by this grant will allow more opportunities for laboratory activities for all levels of chemistry classes."
