Science lab at Big Creek ES to inspire
Northside Hospital donates $1,200 to lab project
CUMMING, Ga. – For years, Big Creek Elementary School classrooms had a mix-match of science gear – many teachers weren’t even fully aware of what they had.
Enter science teacher Chris Hawlk and Paula Strickland, PTA co-president, who beginning this school year, sifted through the classrooms to organize all the gear and supplies into a comprehensive science lab.
“Our school is so old, and we all had these supplies and at times we didn’t even know what we had,” Strickland said.
On Thursday, March 8, parents were invited to an open house to get a first look at the school’s new science room. Northside Hospital-Forsyth, a Forsyth County Schools partner in education, gave $1,200 toward the purchase of six microscopes, five digital balances and several specimens to be used in experiments.
“This is the first time the school has had a science lab,” Hawlk said. “It’s up and operational and all teachers will be using it.”
A science closet at the lab also allows teachers to conduct scientific exploration without being limited to a specific grade level, Hawlk said.
On March 22, parents are being invited back to Big Creek ES, 1994 Peachtree Parkway, for their annual Science Night.
Monie Bardoul, parent of Olivia, 10, and Allie, 8, said she was impressed with the lab.
“It’s a hands-on environment,” Bardoul said. “It’s nice to see kids excited about science.”
Sophie Ralph, 9, a fourth-grader in Ashley Martin’s class, inspected all the gear during the open house. She’s a self-described, “science fan.”
“I think it’s cool,” Ralph said. “It has microscopes, dead animals [specimens]; the kids will really like it.”
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