Mayor Brenda Lawrence is joining Cities United for Science Progress (CUSP), a partnership between The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and DuPont, to enrich the scientific minds of Southfield Public Schools (SPS) 4th grade students through a district-wide Science in the City event.
Mayor Lawrence is pleased to have this opportunity to augment the science education of Southfield’s school children. “We are indeed honored that the U.S. Conference of Mayors and DuPont selected Southfield for this important Science in the City program,” said Mayor Lawrence. The Mayor, along with a team of DuPont field engineers led by Kens Josias, will work side-by-side with over 500 Southfield Public Schools 4th graders on the “puff-mobile” experiment.
Mr. Josias and the engineers at the other sites plan to jump start each event with a fun, hands-on project to explore basic engineering principles. Students will then apply the techniques learned from Josias to conduct the “puff mobile” science experiment, which was derived from the popular children’s television show ZOOM. Mayor Lawrence and the students will build “puff mobiles” using everyday materials like drinking straws, lifesavers, paper, scotch-tape and paperclips. The program will conclude with students racing their inventions to determine the “fastest puff mobile in the school.”
“Our schools value science and math education, and this program will plant the seeds of inquiry and discovery with over 500 of our elementary students from across the entire district,” Mayor Lawrence said. “We anticipate that this experience will encourage our students to consider a career in math or science, and perhaps one day aspire them to become engineers.”
DuPont Public Affairs Manager Mary Kate Campbell is equally please to have the opportunity to introduce students to the field of engineering. “A diverse pool of talented engineers is required for our country, and our company, to remain competitive in a rapidly changing global market,” she said. “Together we hope our field engineers, Mayor Lawrence and the city leaders who participate in this event will be successful in motivating Southfield Public Schools children toward the further exploration of science, mathematics and engineering.”
According to Southfield Public Schools Associate Superintendent for Instruction Lynda Wood, the activities planned for the Science in the City event will not only ignite interest in these areas of study, they will also provide students with a unique educational opportunity to use a myriad of skills.
“Each group of students will have to work cooperatively, brainstorm ideas, select materials and construct a puff mobile designed to beat the competition,” she said. “This real-world experience will show them that scientific inquiry and critical thinking skills are definitely connected.”
Tom Cochran, executive director of The U.S. Conference of Mayors, said this partnership benefits children who are the future of our cities. “CUSP serves as a useful tool for teachers, students and children across the country,” he said, “and helps revive a much-needed interest in science.”
A science company, DuPont was founded in 1802. The company puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.
CUSP is a partnership between The U.S. Conference of Mayors and DuPont. Through the $4.5 million Lead-Safe…for Kids’ Sake grant program and the acclaimed Science in the City initiative, over 40 cities have received grants, 105 cities have been visited, and over 25,000 elementary school children have participated in the USCM-DuPont partnership. CUSP provides assistance to mayors in promoting and inspiring student’s interest in science and engineering.
Science in the City Schedule
Friday, October 10, 2008
City of Southfield Civic Center 26000 Evergreen Road
9:30am—11:00am
Brace-Lederle
McIntyre
Stevenson
Vandenberg
12:00pm—1:30pm
Adler
Eisenhower
Leonhard
MacArthur
Schoenhals
For more information, please contact Charles Small CUSP staff director, at 202.466.2089(desk) or
202.460.8005 (cell) or via e-mail at charles@westinrinehart.com.