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Highlands Today

Science Labs Need More Equipment, Teachers Say

Jasmina Meyer, Highlands Today

From left: Sophomore lab partners Lauren Robinson and Naydaliz Soto use a microscope to view DNA during a strawberry DNA extraction lab in their Honors Biology class on recently at Sebring High School. Teachers around Highlands County are requesting more science equipment for their classes, including simple items that are on short supply.

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By MARC VALERO

Highlands Today

Published: December 30, 2008

SEBRING - Students exploring the cellular world of plants and animals at Hill-Gustat Middle School are sharing a limited number of older microscopes and equipment for their scientific studies.

With about 15 microscopes for 660 students, science teacher Amy Bubb said, "obviously we are a little short."

District wide, teachers are trying to teach students using hands-on experience, Science Curriculum Specialist Dorothea Strickland said.

"It's hard to do that if you don't have even the basics," she added.

Equipment needs have been an ongoing concern for science teachers who are seeking funding from the district to help purchase lab equipment, she said.

Bubb explained why science equipment is important to grasp the subject.

"I can stand up there and talk about it all day or show them a demonstration, but when they are doing it that's when they grasp it," she said.

"It's one of the best ways for them to grasp these concepts like the scientific method and the physical sciences and the chemical sciences."

A lot of the science equipment is expensive, making it difficult to find adequate funding, especially these days, she said. Student microscopes cost $300 plus a piece.

Teachers are also requesting simple items that are in short supply, such as thermometers and scientific calculators.

The district usually has funding for consumables such as chemicals that are used up within a school year, Strickland noted. But the ongoing problem is there is no funding to replace microscopes or hotplates when they break down.

"So the teachers have been struggling, just to basically make do with the old equipment and a limited amount of equipment," she said.

The school board requested a listing of science equipment and technology needs for the classroom.

Three teachers, including Bubb, addressed the board about their classroom needs at a recent school board meeting.

District wide, science equipment needs that will directly affect student learning is about $160,000.

Teachers are making a conscientious effort to request just what they needed instead of a big wish list, Strickland said.

Superintendent Wally Cox noted that the science needs are not just for the high schools.

"We are trying to expose our students K-12," to hands-on science instruction, he said. So even some of the elementary schools have some needs.

The requested science funding by grade level is: $56,204 for elementary schools, $52,483 for middle schools and $50,312 for the high schools.

Highlands Today reporter Marc Valero can be reached at 386-5826 or mvalero@highlandstoday.com

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