White County High School will begin a project this summer to rehab the school’s science lab.
White County High School Science Teacher Wesley Martin said over the past few years, the school has been looking to find funding for the project. Martin said the science lab is falling apart, with broken cabinets, leaking sinks, and aging equipment.
“We are gonna be replacing the teacher demo station, all the student stations will be replaced,” Martin said. “We are also gonna be replacing our fume hoods. Our fume hoods have been installed for well over 50 years, so it’s the new time to bring that in you know, the functionality of some of the gas hookups and the water hookups in there are just not working properly at this time.”
Martin said the project will cost an estimated $100,000. Martin said the improvements to the science lab will expand learning opportunities and encourage students to pursue science beyond high school.
“There is so much more out there, and if we keep it basic, it gives them a good foundation, but we want to let them see what more they are capable of doing,” Martin said. “The more that we have a functioning facility and the more that we have things that work, the more that we have kids that want to invest and be in there.”
Martin said Motlow State uses the science lab and will also benefit from the improvements.
“We offer dual credit chemistry through Motlow, so they have to have the ability to come in there and work in this lab, too,” Martin said. “So, using that fund to repurpose this lab not only benefits us but also benefits those who are planning to go to school through Motlow with that dual credit course.”
Martin said the school system’s administration has been a big help for the project. Martin said the plan is to have the project completed by the start of the next school year in August.
