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Rohm and Haas Texas Employees Support Science Education
9/19/2006
In summer of 2005, the Deer Park School Independent School District (DPISD) district was concerned about the outcome of the 5th grade science TAKS test. It was the first year that the science test was given to 5th graders and many Deer Park students struggled. The district was particularly concerned about Deepwater Elementary School, where just 57 percent of their 5th graders passed.
In the 2005-06 school year DPISD focused more resources on supporting science instruction - not just to pass the TAKS test, but to improve the overall quality of instruction in the district's elementary schools. Rohm and Haas joined forces with teachers in two partner schools to demonstrate its on-going commitment to DPISD and to improving the quality of math and science education. Rohm and Haas funded an after school Club Invention program at two partner schools San Jacinto Elementary and Deepwater Elementary. Club Invention is an exciting out-of-school-time program where children learn through fun, hands-on experiences, and discovery. Children are immersed in activity-oriented adventures that enhance their understanding of science, mathematics, history, and the arts. The company’s involvement didn’t end there – many Rohm and Haas employees volunteered at the partner schools.
Rohm and Haas's Hispanic Latin Leadership Network agreed to work with Deepwater Elementary School, a school with a significant Hispanic population. According to Cindy Hart, DPISD Instructional Specialist for math and science, students at Deepwater often lack real-world experiences that help make the connections needed to understand math and science. To help bridge that gap, the HLLN organized after school hands-on guided experiments on four days in March and April and special after school study sessions where employee volunteers worked one-on-one with students.
For many years, Rohm and Haas employees have organized a "Day of Science" program at San Jacinto Elementary school. At this event, children in every grade level participate in science demonstrations led by Rohm and Haas employees. In the 2005-06 school year, the company hosted the traditional Day of Science, and in addition a group led by Tim Jahnke held a special one-day session to work with the 5th graders before the science TAKS test.
The results of the TAKS test showed a dramatic improvement at both schools. At Deepwater elementary 82% of 5th graders passed the science TAKS test compared with 57% in 2005! At San Jacinto Elementary, 93% of students passed vs. 81% in 2005!
"Team Deer Park" is DPISD's motto and they believe that the "team" is bigger than the school district and its employees - it extends to their partners in industry. The success at Deepwater Elementary and San Jacinto Elementary are great examples of that teamwork in action. Cindy Hart commented, "The teachers in the school and district did a fantastic job with the students, and we are most grateful to Rohm and Haas for the support and volunteers provided."
She adds, "We always had trouble getting students to attend after school tutorials, but after kids found out that the after school science sessions were so much fun, we had kids knocking on the door asking if they could participate."
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