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New Science Lab for MCA
written by Senior George Rubio • September 19, 2009 • Updated January 15, 2010 by Paul Sobieski
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The start of a new school year usually means new uniforms, new school supplies and new class schedules, but this school year we are getting something more. Mount Carmel Academy will have a new science lab by mid-year.
The entire MCA family has been a part of establishing the science lab, but one person has stood out the most, Mrs. Julie Keith. Mrs. Keith has contributed much of her time to helping MCA achieve the dream of a new science lab.
Mrs. Keith said that she hoped the new science lab would help shape MCA students into some of the leaders of the future of America’s rich science culture.
"This new science lab is but a stepping stone to regaining our preeminence in engineering and science," Mrs. Keith said. "Any accomplishments made here at MCA, and expanded at university, might someday mean that we have created jobs that will give pride and a sense of real purpose to fellow Americans."
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The purpose of the new science lab is to open more opportunities for MCA’s students and their interest in the sciences. "This new lab, once online, will enable us to foster a renewed interest in the sciences that will be of benefit to our students," Mrs. Keith said. "This new, hands-on facility will, at the grass-roots level, enable our students to touch, smell, hear and see projects and experiments that will hopefully spur curiosity about the world in which we live."
Science teacher Mr. Toartou Kargou is one of the teachers who will be teaching in the new lab. "I’m excited about it! It gives the students the opportunity to apply what they learn in class in the lab," Mr. Kargou said.
Almost until the end of our first school year, the idea of having a fully operating science lab seemed like just a dream. "back in June 2008, right after we moved into the buildings and were planning how we would use the rooms, we knew we wanted to put in a science lab," said Paul Sobieski, MCA President. "Unfortunately, we didn’t know where to start." Then, HISD told the board of federal bond money available for science lab equipment. Mr. Sobieski got busy and turned in an order for what he thought they would need, based on the template provided by the HISD science department. Unfortunately, the MCA application was turned down. It was decided that MCA would put off installing a science lab until summer 2009.
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Then, in late May, unannounced, an 18-wheeler showed up with 16 pallets of science equipment, approximately valued at $150,000. Seems that other schools turned down their allocation so the charter school office of HISD had it directed to MCA. Mrs. Keith informed us that she knew where to get the funding to install the equipment and cabinets and work tables. The rest we were able to get a grant to cover.
Over the Christmas holidays, Mary Sobieski, Catherine Sobieski and Dawne Baumann worked very hard on sorting all the equipment in to the four major disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and IPC. Next, Mr. Kargou, Ms. Librojo and Mr. Roy worked into the evenings after school and on weekends to finish setting up the lab.
Student began having class in the lab the week of January 18th. We plan to have a dedication ceremony soon. What a blessing for us all!
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