November 14, 2007

Science programs at secondary schools across the Surrey School District have received a welcome boost, thanks to the Mitchell Odyssey Foundation.

Through the foundation’s Odyssey Schools Program, five Surrey schools will each be receiving $25,000 grants over a three to five year period to implement a science program unique to their school.

Frank Hurt’s project is titled the “Action-Centered Experiences” (ACE) Science Program.  The program will provide junior science students with a broad range of laboratory equipment, such as microscope video cameras to enable group viewing of microscopic specimens, as well as subsidized fieldtrips.

Kwantlen Park intends to use its grant to partially fund its School Field Trip Project. The school would also like to purchase a salt-water lab with a water tank and live specimens, in the hopes of instilling interest in marine biodiversity and marine ecosystems.

With the use of digital sensors or portable hand-held units, North Surrey students will be able to explore the world around them as they collect real-time data during their investigation using their new “Digital Probe Science Indoor/Outdoor Lab”.

Princess Margaret plans to provide an interactive hands-on science wing for all students. The Science Museum Wing project will create a place in the school that has the feel of a science museum, where students can gather and study, and innovations in science will be highlighted and accessible to students at all times.

The fifth grant will be going to Tamanawis secondary.  A portion of the funds will be used to support the existing school science club, as well as for field trips, guest lecturers, a Grade 8 camping trip and a science activity day for visiting Grade 7 students called Discover Tamanawis Science.

The Mitchell Odyssey Foundation was established in 2004 by Ross Mitchell, a high-tech entrepreneur who, after a school science field trip at age 13, was inspired to pursue a career in science and technology.  The Odyssey Schools Program is the Foundation’s flagship initiative and now supports 50 schools in 11 school districts across Canada.

Last year, both L.A. Matheson and Queen Elizabeth secondary received $25,000 grants for their science programs.  At the June 14, 2007 board meeting, the Surrey Board of Education officially recognized the Mitchell Odyssey Foundation as being a great supporter of science education in the public school system.

For more information on the Mitchell Odyssey Foundation, visit www.m-o-f.org.

Last Updated: November 14, 2007