Amanda White, Chemistry and Science Teacher, for Calhoun Middle High School wrote the following in a social media post that is being printed by permission.
Local kids were given the biggest gift this week, and hardly anyone knows about it. No, I’m not talking about the pool or the scholarships or any of the countless little things given to our community for free, just to make our lives better. Thankfully, the word about those things is getting around.
Rather, I’m talking about the free 3-day STEM camp with Tyler DeWitt, the creator of one of the most popular instructional channels on YouTube, and the video author for the newly released textbook “Interactive General Chemistry,” published by Macmillan Learning, who taught 17 very lucky kids.
Helping out and seeing the love of science and discovery blossoming in that classroom, I was floored by how much of a difference this would make for these kids. Their futures, already starting out so bright, seem absolutely blinding now. If they love what they learn, all they need is an opportunity to take it further. The 1982 Foundation has given them that.
It doesn’t stop there, though. It was revealed to me on the very last day that the boxes and boxes of lab equipment ordered for the course, were being given to CMHS to continue these science discoveries year-round. They are being gifted to us with the intention that a new generation of scientists will be inspired by the incredible lessons these materials will make possible.
I have taken quite a while to respond to this because it is impossible to put into words just what this WILL make possible for the CMHS science department. All those inquiry labs that I had to toss aside because I didn’t have good microscopes or enough petri dishes or enough budget money for the right equipment…the kids won’t be denied them this year or the next dozen years. They’ll be inspired by stellar labs that will foster a lifelong love of science.
Thank you to all those involved in making these quiet gifts possible, from the bottom of my heart and soul.
Mrs. Amanda White
