Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press
The answer to more math and science for young people can be found behind the doors of Steppingstone School for Gifted Education in Farmington Hills.
Steppingstone, this week, unveiled the unique scientific educational program for middle school, high school and junior college students in southeast Michigan, called the Steppingstone MAgnetic Resonance Training Center, or SMART Center.
It is the brainchild of retired physical biochemist Philip D. Morse II, PhD and was started in response to the national call for more mathematicians and scientists.
Morse has more than 30 years experience in research, teaching and developing scientists. He has more than 50 peer-reviewed publications in areas of magnetic resonance, cell structure, physical biochemistry, computer programming and surface chemistry.
When asked why he founded the SMART Center, Morse stated, “The United States should offer more opportunities for stimulating math and science experiences. In the area of science, students usually do not have the opportunity to experience a working science research laboratory until graduate school.
“The purpose of the SMART Center is to provide students the opportunity to design experiments, use advanced scientific laboratory techniques and instrumentation, interpret data, and present results to a general audience.”
SMART Center staff will assist with experimental design, teach technique and use of the equipment, empower students to collect and process data and guide the thinking necessary to interpret results and draw conclusions.
Equipment for the SMART Center was donated from various sources, including Bruker Bio-Spin, which donated a spectrometer. Other members of the scientific community donated the magnet, power supply and software needed to run the spectrometer.
In April, Morse was awarded the Toyota Tapestry Grant of $10,000 to purchase the necessary laboratory equipment to get the SMART Center up and running.
Kiyo Morse, Head of School for Steppingstone School For Gifted Education, stated, “Steppingstone is excited to be in a position to provide this real science research opportunity, not only to the students at Steppingstone School, but also to the community at large.”
Steppingstone will pilot the program in three one-week sessions over the summer. Up to 50 students will be accepted into the pilot program.
Students in middle school, high school, and junior college are eligible to apply. This pilot program will be offered free of charge.
The SMART Center is unique.
“As far as we know, nothing like this has ever been tried,” said Philip D. Morse. “No other primary or secondary school has access to an EPR spectrometer or to the professional expertise of the SMART Center staff. The participants in the SMART Center are forging a new path in science education and the science experience. Response to the SMART Center has been extraordinary - we don't want to turn away qualified students, so we will need to acquire additional funding and resources to progress beyond this pilot program of 50 students.”
Steppingstone School For Gifted Education is an independent non-profit 501(c)3 school. Donations to the SMART Center may be tax deductible. For more information, or for an application for the SMART Center Program, go to www.smart-center.org or call the Steppingstone office at (248) 539-1666.
Steppingstone is at 28555 Middlebelt, Farmington Hills, in the International School building.
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