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Carolina unveiled a new traveling science laboratory April 10 that will
bring the latest technology and teaching tools to North Carolina schools
lacking science resources.
A custom-built 40-foot, 26,000-pound bus -- emblazoned with the slogan
"The Best Thing in Science Education to Hit the Road" -- is filled with
state-of-the-art science and technology equipment for wet laboratory
experiments, Internet exploration and carefully honed curriculum materials. The
bus will begin its treks across the state in the coming weeks in a project that
is among the first of its kind nationwide.
The science bus grew from the work of the Partnership for Minority
Advancement in the Biomolecular Sciences, a consortium begun more than a decade
ago by Carolina that includes seven historically minority universities.
The consortium introduced biomolecular science into public school and
college classrooms across the state in response to growing national concerns
about a science teacher shortage, a decline in the number of Americans pursuing
graduate degrees in science and a lack of diversity within the science
professions.
Glaxo Wellcome Inc. awarded the University a five-year, $1.6 million grant
to build the bus, equip it and support operations.
Many science educators across North Carolina are hampered by a lack of
ongoing professional development opportunities as well as access to equipment
-- including laboratories, computers and the Internet -- that can help them
more effectively teach their students, said Walter E. Bollenbacher, a Carolina
professor of biology and director of the Partnership for Minority Advancement
in the Biomolecular Sciences.
"We want to share how high-quality science can be effectively taught and
then continue to serve as an ongoing resource for students, teachers and their
schools and districts," he said.
"The project will explore how universities and schools can best
collaborate to contribute to science education reform in North Carolina. The
support and interest from Glaxo Wellcome and its scientists will greatly
advance our exploration."
The traveling science laboratory, which was built on a BlueBird chassis
customized by Ohio Bus Specialty Vehicles in Canton, Ohio, will provide
students and teachers access to equipment and instruction with a minimum of
movement.
Equipment inside includes wireless Internet access via satellite, laptop
computers donated by IBM Corp., gel electrophoresis apparatus for separating
proteins and DNA, a thermocycler for polymerase chain reaction experiments and
incubators.
Other items include spectrophotometers for finding the quantity of protein
in a solution, a special plate reader to determine the concentration of a
protein and a remotely controlled camera that enables students to see a
teacher's demonstration on video monitors throughout the bus.
Program activities include a cutting-edge biomolecular science curriculum
and inquiry-based, hands-on experiments developed by the Boston University
School of Medicine's CityLab that include modules such as "The Case of the
Crown Jewels," a DNA fingerprinting exercise, or "The Mystery of the Crooked
Cell," which involves determining if a hypothetical patient has sickle cell
anemia.
Local business and educational leaders will be invited to participate in
activities during bus stops, which are expected to span several days at each
site, Bollenbacher said.
The project will tap partners working to advance science education in
North Carolina, he said. For example, the involvement of LEARN North Carolina,
a one-stop web site offered free to all N.C. public school systems through
Carolina's School of Education, should broaden awareness of the variety of
excellent programs at the University and elsewhere working to strengthen
science education and steer students toward careers in science.
Besides Carolina, members of the partnership consortium are Elizabeth City
State, Fayetteville State, Johnson C. Smith, N.C. Agricultural and Technical
State, N.C. Central and Shaw universities as well as UNC-Pembroke.
The science bus will be available to those campuses to extend outreach
efforts with their region's high school science teachers and students,
Bollenbacher said.
The consortium's network includes 135 teachers from 85 secondary schools.
Initial projects are planned for both teachers and students in Bladen, Guilford
and Wake counties. The bus will expand its travel schedule in the fall.
Interim Chancellor William O. McCoy said the outreach made possible by the
bus "lies at the core of the University's public service and teaching missions
and beautifully highlights our commitment to enhance education in North
Carolina."
"The traveling science laboratory advances already strong links between
the University and our state's schools as well as with longtime benefactor and
collaborator Glaxo Wellcome," McCoy said.
"By partnering together, both the University and Glaxo Wellcome hope to
share the thrill of discovery in new ways that will foster diversity within the
scientific professions. Science increasingly plays a major role in fueling the
North Carolina economy, so this bus represents a creative investment in our
state's future."
Added George Abercrombie, senior vice president for commercial operations
for Glaxo Wellcome Inc. and chair of Carolina's Board of Visitors, "Glaxo
Wellcome is enthusiastically supporting the traveling science laboratory
because the University's bold vision matches our strong interest in giving back
to the scientific community in North Carolina and beyond.
"Educators nationwide are searching for ways to make science come alive
for young people. This bus can help meet that critical challenge in North
Carolina's schools and communities."
Students from Bladenboro and Southeast Halifax high schools won a contest
to nickname the bus. They submitted "Destiny," which now appears on the front
panel of the bus.
On April 10, students and their teachers had lunch with University and
Glaxo Wellcome scientists and toured the Carolina campus, including science
buildings and laboratories.
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