In May 2012, Saint Maur International School opened the doors of its new Science Center to welcome visitors to the annual Middle School Science Fair. Having worked for a month on science investigations of their own choosing, students in grades 6 and 7 presented the results of their research to parents, teachers, fellow students, and the general public. The science fair provides an opportunity for students to put into practice the skills developed throughout the year in a middle school curriculum that puts strong emphasis on developing core scientific skills through a hands-on approach.
Saint Maur was privileged to have four students from the Science Frontier High School (SFHS) in Tsurumi helping to judge the projects. This was just one of many activities done with SFHS, with which the school has a special collaborative relationship that has been strong and worthwhile for both schools. Visitors to the Science Center were also impressed by the facilities, which include state-of-the-art laboratories for the study of chemistry, physics, biology, robotics, and general science; fully supported IT and data-logging equipment; and solar panels on the roof that provide electricity.
Saint Maur’s hands-on approach to science teaching in its middle and high schools is probably one reason that Saint Maur students do so well on external tests in the sciences and why so many Saint Maur students go on to university as well as into scientific research and the medical professions. — RICHARD B. RUCCI & DR. MARY SUZUKI
