New Science Collaborative

 

Students from the Environmental Sciences Magnet School at Mary Hooker visited Jan. 23 and students from Noah Webster MicroSociety Magnet School visited Jan. 30.

 

The mission of The Discovery Center is to shape positive attitudes about race and differences, reduce isolationism between urban and suburban/rural schools, and improve math, science and language arts skills. Its executive director is Allan Wilson, husband of Westminster faculty member Joyce Wilson.

 

Founded by the late Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward as a pilot program of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in 1992, The Discovery Center was incorporated in 2002 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Diversity Academy program, which brought students to Westminster, is an exciting addition to the organization, which also offers a residential program and leadership workshops.

 

During their time at Westminster, the visiting students and their Discovery Center leaders participated in science workshops in the science laboratories in the Armour Academic Center with Westminster science teachers Mark de Kanter ’91, Greg Marco and Lee Zalinger, and 12 Westminster student volunteers. “Let's all be explorers and ask a lot of great questions,” Westminster Science Department Head Lee Zalinger told the seventh graders in his workshop about inertia.

 

“As a community, Westminster feels lucky to have been part of such a special opportunity and looks forward to hosting The Discovery Center again next year,” said Westminster Assistant Headmaster Kathleen Devaney. “Our participating teachers and students fully appreciated their contact with the program.”

 

“This is an exciting partnership,” added The Discovery Center’s Coordinator of Leadership Workshops, Jason Fredlund. “Our visits to Westminster, which were the first learning excursions for this new program, provided access to incredible facilities, technology and education for our students.”