Several area high schools are getting some needed equipment, including glassware, goggles, petri dishes and other equipment from rose State College's professional Training Center, the college announced March 30.
The hundreds of pieces of glassware and other equipment were surplus from classes and programs at the training center. rose State president Dr. Terry Britton said the equipment had belonged to programs that have been phased out. By giving the equipment to rose State's local partners in education, the students who arrive at the college have a better chance at being prepared for college-level science classes, Britton said.
Rather than warehouse the glassware, college officials thought it was better put to use by the very schools preparing students for college, said Bill Clark, coordinator of environmental training.
Mid-Del Superintendent Bill Scoggan said the equipment comes to the schools at a good time, when budgets are down and needs are up.
"It just provides so many more hands-on opportunities. it provides first-class equipment and makes science so much more relevant," Scoggan said. "Too often we get caught in a classroom experience, and kids don't get to make the connection. When we get the opportunity to come upon this kind of equipment, it is a whole new world for our kids. it's just like Christmas, but it's all stuff we can put to use tomorrow."