King Philip Regional High School received four grants from the PPG Foundation's Innovative Classroom Grant program. Three of the grants are being used to purchase gel electrophoresis equipment that will be used in biology and marine science classes. This equipment helps to boost hands-on experimentation including the separation and analysis of macromolecules (DNA, RNA, and proteins). This funding will allow KP students the opportunity to learn real-world laboratory techniques utilizing modern equipment.
The fourth grant is being used to purchase portable water and soil quality testing equipment to be used in the school's environmental science classes. The equipment is based in a backpack and can be easily brought into the field for in-situ measurements, providing authentic, inquiry based activities that give students the opportunity to measure field data using the same equipment used by scientists in the field.
According to the King Philip Science Department the equipment will help reach one of its primary goals of providing educational experiences that prepare our students to be accomplished citizen scientists.