Harlem’s Kids Are Our Future
A State-of-Art-Lab for Students
“Schools Chancellor Joel Klein unveiled a state-of-the-art biotech lab yesterday that will serve as a field-trip magnet for thousands of city students. Housed on the second floor of the John S. Robert Education Complex, the 1,200-square-foot Harlem DNA Lab will feature cutting-edge equipment.
“The multimillion-dollar project – built under the direction of the Cold S
pring Harbor Laboratory – will allow the brainiest of genome scientists to instruct students and teachers on the latest techniques. About 4,000 middle- and high-school students are expected to visit the lab – and perhaps manipulate a bit of DNA – each year.” –New York Post, September 24, 2008
The new lab will teach students and educators using techniques and tools currently used by research scientists. Each school year approximately 4,000 middle- and high school students will visit the lab to study cell biology and conduct DNA experiments, and more than 800 teachers will visit to participate in professional development activities.
“I am thrilled our students and teachers now have access to the world’s leading biotechnology at the Harlem DNA Lab,” Chancellor Klein said.
The new genome lab, located at the John S. Roberts Education Complex, is a collaborative effort between the New York City Department of Education and theDolanDNA LearningCenter, part of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a private, non-profit biomedical research and education institution.
About High Achievers in Harlem
“Eighth-graders at a charter school in Harlem are facing one of the toughest tasks in the city this year – they’re trying to duplicate perfection. That’s because last year’s entire eighth-grade class at Harlem Village Academy Charter School met or surpassed state standards on the annual math test. Their 100 percent proficiency was more than 40 percentage points higher than the citywide average.
“Perhaps the only advantage this year’s crop of 30 eighth-graders has in their attempt to repeat is history: Their class also achieved 100 percent proficiency in math as seventh-graders last year.
“‘I feel pretty confident,’ said Khadijah Sarrelo, 13, whose eighth-grade class is currently studying percentages through lessons in taxes and interest.
“‘They tell us we have to try and do better than last year’s [class]. It motivates me a lot.’
“Current and past students at Harlem Village Academy - where about 88 percent of fifth- to eighth-graders qualify for free or reduced-price lunches – were also quick to credit the school’s four math teachers.” –New York Post, September 24, 2008
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