Budding high school scientists get lift from gifts

A program that encourages local high school biology students to picture themselves as future scientists is getting financial support from several external sources. More than $14,000 in cash and equipment was recently donated to UMass Labs for Worcester Area High Schools, the brainchild of Stephen Doxsey, PhD, professor of molecular medicine, biochemistry & molecular pharmacology and cell biology, and North High School science teacher Jane Raabis. ge

UMass Labs for Worcester Area High Schools allows Advanced Placement biology students from public high schools and technical schools in and around Worcester to visit and learn from scientists in UMass Medical School laboratories. “It gives them opportunities that go beyond the classroom, that say ‘maybe this could be me someday,’” said Raabis.

A representative from Carl Zeiss MicroImaging recently presented a $5,000 state-of-the-art microscope to Dr. Doxsey for use by the high school students in the program. The sophisticated microscope also includes a monitor that allows small groups of students to see what the person using the microscope sees, making demonstrations more effective.

“The microscope this is replacing was so old, the students didn’t know whether they were looking at a specimen or just seeing a lens flaw,” said Sambra Redick, research associate and lab manager.

“Our company is committed to promoting education in the fields of science and technology,” said Bernhard Goetze, manager of embedded activities for Carl Zeiss MicroImaging, one of several optical and optoelectronic companies owned by the Carl Zeiss Foundation. “We are very interested in projects that encourage the interest of young people in natural science and technology.”

In addition to the Zeiss gift, United Bank recently donated $5,000 for equipment and supplies to the program. Doxsey and Redick also received a $4,000 Public Service Endowment Grant from the University of Massachusetts to support the program.