Carver Middle School Students Investigating the World Around Them with New Science Lab

Wednesday, February 9th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Students at Carver Middle School celebrated the completion of its new science wing Wednesday. Students say theyâ€™re looking at science in a whole new way and they like what they see. Four new science classrooms provide teachers and students with space and equipment to explore the subject in ways they couldnâ€™t before.

Teacher Danelle Duvallâ€™s former room didnâ€™t even have running water. "Oh, itâ€™s wonderful, said Duvall. "Itâ€™s just made a world of difference, because now weâ€™re not just in a room thatâ€™s a normal room - itâ€™s a science room. Itâ€™s just 100 per cent different. The kids really come looking forward to a day of fun in science."

Before the $200,000 expansion, students were housed in 20-year-old pre-fab buildings. Money from the 1995 school bond election paid for the rooms, but a Tulsa foundation equipped the science wing. Founders of Doctors Hospital donated $50,000 dollars for new tables and chairs, microscopes, insect and rock specimens, skeletons and other items. Carverâ€™s PTSA raised $10,000 for more equipment.

Students say they learn far more from this approach to science than just reading about it. "All of the equipment they brought in is hands-on, so it makes a big difference," said student Nick White. "It encourages some people to learn more science.â€

Carver also had another reason to celebrate Wednesday. The school was adopted by Kinkoâ€™s Copiers. Tulsa Public Schools superintendent John Thompson also attended a school assembly, telling students that the district will use 1999 bond money and other sources to improve their school and others.

The schoolâ€™s students and teachers say they are grateful to the citizens of Tulsa for opening studentâ€™s eyes to more of the world around them.