Kindergarten Is Also A Time For Science

While national experts of Kindergarten Science Projects are debating the quality of American science education, a local teacher has been singled out for a $10,000 grant from Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., to implement an innovative Kindergarten Science Projects.

Randall Raymond, a teacher at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, was one of only 26 high school educators across the country to receive a grant in the TAPESTRY program, sponsored by Toyota and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).

TAPESTRY, Toyota's Appreciation Program for Excellence to Science Teachers Reaching Youth, is the nation's largest corporate-funded grant program for high school science teachers. It is designed to help teachers create and implement innovative classroom projects to enhance science education in their schools. Grants are awarded in two categories: environmental education and physical science.

"There is plenty of rhetoric about improving science education, but programs like TAPESTRY provide front-line support to the teachers who are actually doing something about it," said Bill Aldridge, executive director of NSTA. "Too often science teachers lack adequate supplies, support and resources, especially on the high school level. When it comes to science teaching, money is typically scarce, but innovative ideas are not." As proof, Aldridge pointed to the more than 600 grant applications received in this year's TAPESTRY program.

In Raymond's project, students will spend the summer in a work/study program evaluating the environment on Belle Isle. At the same time, the students will lead interpretive activities for the many children who visit the island. During the school year, Raymond's students will continue their work as "environmental educators," leading field trips of local elementary and middle school children to Belle Isle. Raymond will work with four co-directors on the project: science teachers Earl Wilson, Florina Myrick, and Karen Kachadurian; and social studies teacher James O'Leary. All are on the faculty of Cass Technical.

Although he has taught for 18 years, this is Raymond's first year on the faculty at Cass. He is a Southfield resident.

"One of the critical problems in urban environments is the need for positive role models for young people," Raymond said. "The TAPESTRY grant will enable us to teach leadership skills along with hands-on current science technology."

Teachers must begin their TAPESTRY projects by May 1, 1992. Next year, TAPESTRY will provide the four most successful projects with an additional $20,000 grant for further development. An additional $5,000 award will be given to the teacher or teachers who served as manager on these projects.