Eton Academy Receives Science Grant from MEEMIC Foundation

, a specialized independent school for students with learning challenges, recently received a $2,000 grant from the MEEMIC Insurance Foundation. Rick Pinkos from MEEMIC’s in Birmingham presented the grant to students, teachers and school officials on Jan. 31.

The grant will be used to purchase a Van de Graaff generator to kick off the school’s new science curriculum and help Eton’s 195 students conceptualize electrostatics.

Eton’s specialized curriculum utilizes a multi-sensory approach and the generator will be a highlight of a new “See it, Feel it, Hear it” physics program led by Upper School Science Teacher Larry Biederman. Students will see bright electric sparks, hear the crackle and pop of discharging electrons, feel objects moving and even have their hair stand on end while studying electricity, lightning and other science concepts.

“We appreciate this generous grant from the MEEMIC Foundation,” said Pete Pullen, Eton's head of school. “MEEMIC’s support will further enable our experiential-based learning program and kick off the implementation of our new inquiry-based science curriculum that is designed specifically for students with learning challenges. This new curriculum could become a national model of adapting inquiry-based learning for special needs students.”