To the editor:
Re: “Vancouver school and park boards face change,” Nov. 21.
I am writing to express my dismay and concern over the short-sightedness of Superintendent Cardwell and the Board of Education over their refusal to allow Chevron, through non-profit organization My Class Needs, to provide desperately needed “STEM” [science, technology, engineering,and mathematics] specific learning resources in our public schools.
Three years ago my daughter, who was in Grade 5, was frustrated trying to learn how to use a microscope. When I offered assistance, she showed me a photo and written description in the textbook she was learning from. When I asked if she recalled what happened when she moved this part or that part in class, I was both shocked and dismayed when she told me that they had no microscopes at the school.
I was astounded and found this totally unacceptable in today’s day and age, and I rushed right out to purchase a classroom microscope, and got them one that connected to the PAC-purchased smart board so that the whole class could see what happened when you put a slide under it. I hope that, for some, the lightbulb went on, and that they became both intrigued and interested in their science lesson. It is very wrong to deprive our children, the future generation, of these learning supplies and resources. While everyone is hopeful that someday we will not have to rely on carbon-based fuel for energy, what is necessary for this to happen is for young minds to become passionate and excited about science today — so that perhaps they will be the ones that discover a greener option for energy tomorrow.
But if the tools don’t exist in the classroom to get them excited, then we only have ourselves to blame. Chevron should be applauded for being willing to “fuel our schools” as should the districts that have allowed this opportunity to happen.
Terry Dawydiak,
Vancouver
