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Robbins Joined by Legislators in Support of Science in Motion
Program
Senator Calls
on Governor to Support K-12 Science Education
HARRISBURG -- State
Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) was joined by several Senate and House colleagues,
including Senate President Pro Tempore Bob Jubelirer (R-30) and Senator John
Gordner (R-27), on Wednesday to highlight the importance of the highly
successful "Science in Motion" program.
Originally
founded at Juniata College, Science in Motion currently exists at 11 colleges
across the Commonwealth, including Westminster College. The Commonwealth
provides funding to the colleges to purchase high-tech science equipment, such
as atomic force microscopes and spectrophotometers -- something that high
schools cannot afford to purchase on their own. The colleges then transport and
share the equipment with surrounding school districts. The colleges also
provide professional development to teachers. In sum, it provides the best
equipment and instruction to schools.
"As a former
teacher, I know a 'hands-on' education cannot be emphasized enough," said Sen.
Robbins. "The truth is books alone will not stimulate the minds of students
when it comes to mastering science. Students need science to come to life.
That is precisely what Science in Motion is all about."
Earlier this
year, Governor Rendell proposed eliminating all funding for Science in Motion.
Instead, he proposed a new program, "Science: It's Elementary," targeted at
elementary school students.
"It's
important to note that for $2 million, Science in Motion touches 280 schools
while the Governor's proposal would spend $10 million and only reach 150
schools," said Robbins. "If each of the 280 schools participating in Science in
Motion bought the same equipment that is purchased for $2 million by the eleven
colleges, the costs for the schools would be overwhelming."
"While I don't
understand the Governor's reasoning for forgoing a proven high school program in
Science in Motion for a new elementary-based program, I would like to see how
these two programs can work together to provide all students with a solid
foundation in science," said Robbins. "It is my hope that the Governor will
work with the General Assembly to craft a comprehensive proposal to address
science education so we can lead the way nationally and contribute toward an
international comeback. It's absolutely a necessity for this country to be
competitive 50 years from now."
Sen. Robbins
is the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 414, which would codify the Science in
Motion Program into state law and provide an assurance to participating colleges
and schools that the program will continue, rather than have to justify its
existence each year.
Westminster
College serves the following school districts in the 50th Senatorial District:
Ellwood City, Farrell, Grove City, Hermitage, Jamestown, Lakeview, Laurel,
Mercer, Neshannock, New Castle, Penn Crest, Reynolds, Seneca Valley, Sharon,
Sharpsville, Slippery Rock, Wilmington, as well as Grove City Christian Academy,
Kennedy Catholic, and New Castle Christian Academy.
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