We have limited resources. We haven’t been able to have a science program. Everything in the kit can be used for so many things to support math and science. The program is more rigorous that the science they’re used to, but they can connect to it. It gives them a real confidence boost for their classes.

When we study angles, it’s great to talk about the lasers. I can have them measure that angle. As specific as the content of the kit is, it can be used to support so many part of the curriculum.

Coming from a Title 1 school, these kinds of resources are not available to the kids I work with in any other form. Some students have parents who work in professional fields—work as engineering or optics engineers. They hear about it. They may not have learned much about it, but they have learned that much, but they have some language and some background. For the students I work with this is a nice piece of background information they may be able to draw on someday. Any variety of experiences I can I’m glad to give to them.”

I liked the telescope module the best. They really had to think about what they were doing. It peaked their curiosity.

Michelle York works with 7th and 8th graders in Oregon.