Marcellus Academic Club Donates $5000 to the Marcellus Elementary Science Learning Laboratory

Mary Jo Hoeft, Marcellus Elementary Science Learning Laboratory instructor, was filled with sincere appreciation as the Marcellus Academic Club (MAC) donated $5000 to the science lab program at its Wednesday, October 13th MAC meeting. The monies will be used to purchase supplemental science books for the lab program. Hoeft took MAC members on a tour of the elementary science lab classroom as she explained that the program is “alive with activity”. “Alive” was the operative word as Hoeft displayed a learning environment that included hermit crabs, fish, gerbils, frogs, beetles, a classroom green house, a touch table, an experiment center, and anatomical x-rays. Future initiatives for the program’s young scientists will include a courtyard garden/greenhouse, hydroponics, and a bottle rocket experience that will be connected to the middle school Science Olympiad program. Hoeft also shared a very impressive initiative that will involve 6th grade students as lab assistants. 6th grade students interested in the position have already filled out applications and interviewed for the experience. Hoeft will be “employing” twelve (12) lab assistants each quarterly marking period. The Elementary Science Learning Laboratory experience is designed to enhance the elementary science curriculum through an exciting hands-on laboratory environment for each child in grade 4-6. Grade 4-6 classes have the opportunity to visit the science lab three times a month and lessons will parallel the in-classroom science instruction at grades 4-6. Although the science lab program is designed for grade 4-6 students, instructor Mary Jo Hoeft will spend one week each month pushing into grade K-3 classrooms at K. C. Heffernan Elementary School. The Marcellus Academic Club (MAC) is a community based organization whose mission is to encourage, support and recognize academic achievement and growth of all students in the Marcellus schools. The club meets the second Wednesday of each month in the Driver Middle School Library.