Science Academy Provides Opportunities 

Two Austin-East Magnet High School science teachers have established a science academy at the school to increase student opportunities for higher-level study and leadership in the sciences.

Chip Lajeunesse and Todd Wishart established the academy this school year with a number of goals in mind.
“We wanted to prepare students for collegiate level research in the sciences,” said Lajeunesse. “The academy also will provide students opportunities for leadership, community service, and job shadowing in the sciences,” he said.

According to Wishart students will also get skills that are needed to make informed career decisions.

“The original enrollment was 42 Students, primarily freshmen, with a few sophomores. The first official graduating class of the Austin-East Science Academy is the Class of 2005, however a few current sophomore students are in the Class of 2004,” said Wishart.

Three new courses have been introduced as part of the Science Academy curriculum. The Dynamics of Leadership course consists of eight mini-courses, and is taught by five teachers in four disciplines; science, English, Social Studies and mathematics. In the other two new courses, Wishart teaches Advanced Biological Concepts, and Lajeunesse teaches Anatomy and Physiology.
Genetics and Plant and Soil Science will be introduced into the curriculum next school year.

The Science Academy’s first project, restoration of the gardens in front of the school building, is now complete. A memorial plaque, honoring Andre Brown, a student lost to violence earlier this school year, is in place at the garden site, and a dedication ceremony is planned for Monday, at 9:00 a.m.

All freshmen students at Austin-East Magnet High School are welcome to apply to the Science Academy. Applications may be picked up at guidance office at Austin-East Magnet High School. Applications are due by April 30, 2002 or until the enrollment limit of sixty has been reached.

For more information call 594-3792 and ask for the Guidance Department.

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