Grant helps complete a state-of-the-art science lab

Intermountain Catholic

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Seventh grade students James Harris (left), Patrick Griffin, Ryan Boschert, Thomas Hicks, Maddie Gilstray (at the microscope), Christina Katris, Erica Meister, and Alexandria Wright look at strands of each other's hair and realize we are all genetically different in so many ways through our heredity. The students also examined slides with stains of animal cells and plant cells. IC photos by Chris Young

SALT LAKE CITY — St. Vincent de Paul School has completed a new state-of-the-art science lab paid for with a $101,000 grant from the E. L. Wiegand Foundation of Reno, Nev.

"When we were writing the grant last year, we were dreaming about what science really could be at St. Vincent," said Kathy O’Melia, the St. Vincent de Paul science teacher. "We realized it could be a hands-on experience. I honestly believe middle school is the age where you make scientists. It is not that they like science, but they like learning. Science is experiential, it is not just reading books. That is expensive because state-of-the-art materials are expensive."

The grant helped pay for science tables to replace the desks, digital lighted microscopes, lab equipment, and science supplies that will allow students in grades six through eight to do an array of hands-on science experiments that complement their science textbooks.

"We put electricity in the floor because we only had two electrical outlets, and we put in a tile floor in case something is spilled. Now we can set up lab stations" said O’Melia. "We ordered electric hotplates because I do not believe in fire with middle school students. The lighted microscopes did away with the students having to use a flashlight, which occupied one of their hands and made it complicated. Now they flip the switch and the light shines up, and they can make the light more intensive or less intensive.

"We were able to get every single supply that is called for by the science series we use. Now we can do all the experiments," she said."

O’Melia is excited about the new science lab and about science in general. She teaches physical science, chemistry, and life science to grades six through eight.

"We now have three new telescopes that coordinate with the computers," said O’Melia. "We have computers, which also coordinate with 10 new lap top computers that go with our digital camera microscopes. So when the students look through the microscopes, if they see something really cool, they can actually snap a picture of it on the computer. We now have a printer that will print the pictures. We have new scientific calculators, and we are hoping to get the view screen that goes with them, as well as the equipment which collects data from the students. Then they can actually graph on the calculator and they can see what is happening."

Mark Longe, St. Vincent de Paul School principal, said of the $101,000 grant they spent almost $40,000 just renovating the room. With the balance, they bought all of the equipment. The science tables are movable so the room can be used for a lot of different science projects.

"We are so fortunate," said O’Melia. "It is absolutely phenomenal what we have been able to do."

O’Melia moved to Salt Lake City last year from Lexington, Ky., where she taught at the Lexington Catholic High School, and at Christ the King Cathedral School. She said when she first moved to Kentucky 14 years ago, the school system was destitute and they have really worked hard to bring the level of education up so people can get better jobs.

O’Melia learned science from her father who is a professor and chairman of the department of geography and engineering at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. He is also a member of the National Society of Engineers.

"I was raised with science and it has always been a fascination for me," said O’Melia. "My mother is a school teacher and was a principal of grades six through 12 in Baltimore. So the two fields went hand-in-hand, and genetically I had no choice but become a science teacher.