A flood of support has poured in to Scofield Magnet Middle School, where students are examining water quality as part of their science classes, in the form of a $160,000 Hewlett Packard Catalyst Award.
"This is great. It gives us a chance to keep our work flowing," Principal Jan Rossman said.
The grant was awarded to the Stamford Public Schools to enhance the district's science, technology, engineering and math curriculum, known as STEM. The district is participating in HP's Catalyst Initiative, which aims to further STEM education through global approaches. It is the only public school district to be awarded the competitive grant. All the other recipients are colleges and universities.
Stamford schools directed the grant to Scofield. It will be used over two years for the water project titled "The Challenge of Water Quality: China and the United States' Sister Schools Seek Solution Together."
Students began the project last year. The award allows them to expand it by collaborating with their sister school in China, the Middle School Attached to Shandong University in Jinan, Shandong Province, which is studying water quality there. Results will be shared.
"What this grant is enabling us to do is tie in the work we started with water-quality testing to think globally and work with our sister school in China," said Rossman, who traveled to China last year when the partnership was established.
The Scofield students began testing water quality in Stamford during the 2009-10 academic year. In addition to furthering hands-on research and data assessment, the grant will allow for a student exchange, said Rossman. She said she anticipates Chinese students will visit Scofield in the spring and Scofield students will travel to China in the 2011-12 academic year.
Click here to follow Daily Voice and receive free news updates.
