Contact:
Lois Sullivan, Cambridge Public Schools
617.349.6516
Robert Mitchell
617.496.5399
Cambridge School Opens State of the Art Microscopy Suite
Harvard University donation provides sophisticated biology equipment, instruction
Cambridge, Mass. - March 27, 2003 - The latest in science technology and education comes to Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (CRLS) as the school announces a new Microscopy Suite that includes some of the most advanced equipment available today for life sciences research. The suite includes a comprehensive ensemble of both microscopy and teaching equipment as well as a library of related video and digital teaching resources. Harvard University's Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) donated and installed all equipment and will provide support services through 2007.
The donation consists of 38 pieces of equipment, including 31 microscopes of different types (binocular, trinocular, and dissecting), laptop computer, cameras, VCR, and LCD projector. In addition, the Harvard donation includes storage facilities, and consumables, such as, plastic ware, glass and prepared slides.
"This gift from Harvard is not only good for our students, but for the entire community," said Dr. Sybil Knight, CRLS principal. "Our mission is to train the scientists of tomorrow. The best way to do that is with strong, effective teachers; we already have that, and the latest technology gives us the opportunity to do more. There is no question that this equipment and the supporting services will help make us even better teachers and our students better scientists."
The Suite can accommodate up to 24 students at a time, with each having his or her own microscope. These students in Honors Biology, for example, will use the suite as they study genetics and inheritance, designed to increase their understanding of genetics and cellular reproduction.
To facilitate the effective use and maintenance of the microscopy suite, members of the Harvard MCB outreach program and the teaching laboratories are working with CRLS teachers to develop exercises appropriate for their curriculum. In addition, Harvard MCB will provide additional support for the next four years.
"This is a very exciting time for CRLS and its science program," said Robert Lue, Ph.D., director of undergraduate studies in the Biological Sciences at Harvard. "While we have had a long-term relationship with the students and faculty at CRLS, this suite is a wonderful new addition that will help us extend our effectiveness with the students studying biology and other sciences at the school."
The Microscopy Suite is the latest in a series of cooperative science curriculum projects between CRLS and the Harvard MCB. The programs are designed to encourage students to continue their studies in biology at the advanced level, bring teachers up to date on the newest discoveries in molecular and cellular biology, and help teachers develop innovative curriculum materials for use in the classroom.
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