Home / News & Publications / Michigan Catholic News / 2009 / New Mercy wing celebrates women in science
New Mercy wing celebrates women in science
by Kristin Lukowski of The Michigan Catholic
Published October 2, 2009
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Kristin Lukowski | The Michigan Catholic
Seniors Rachel Yaldoo and Kelly Cubr look trhough one of the new microscopes, part of a $1.25 million science wing renovation. |
Farmington Hills - Mercy High School made the dedication of its new science wing a day Celebrating Women in Science as well as celebrating the new equipment and classroom and office space.
The science lab renovation, a $1.25 million dollar project that took over what was the computer lab, was funded by a capital campaign, Investing in Excellence, Building Mercy's Future. The improvement, the first renovation of the science wing in 44 years, reworked 14,486 square feet of the school.
Students who have taken many science courses were excited for the renovation and the opportunities it presents. Ronni McGee, a junior currently taking microbiology, said the best part for her was the opportunity to be a part of something new.
"I like it," she said. "It's exciting to come to class every day in a new lab. It makes it a lot easier to work."
Kelly Cubr, a senior, agreed that studying in a new classroom feels different this year. Rachel Yaldoo, also a senior, pointed out that the motto of the school is "Women who make a difference." "With new equipment and teachers as great as ours, we'll be able to move forward in math and science," she said.
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Kristin Lukowski | The Michigan Catholic
Gerry Meloche teaches a science class in the renovated wing of Mercy High School. |
Eesha Khan, also a senior, said she's found the science teachers, like other teachers, are always available to help students. "They're there for you," she said.
Involved in the renovation were six science rooms, four prep rooms, two restrooms, a staff planning room and corridors. Emergency equipment was also installed, including new fume hoods and safety showers in both chemistry rooms, and emergency eye wash stations in all labs. Also in all labs are barrier-free workstations.
The renovations include a collaborative teacher planning room, with desks and a work table. New air conditioning, acoustical ceiling, windows, phones and data drops were also part of the renovation, as well as new equipment: classroom microscopes, digital science balances, desks, stools and chairs, and data projectors and screens.
Among the courses taught at Mercy are biology, advanced placement biology, microbiology, chemistry, advanced placement chemistry, physics, advanced placement physics, and anatomy and physiology.
Before student volunteers led visitors on tours of the new science rooms Sept. 18, the student body gathered in the auditorium for an assembly featuring 1987 alumna Luanne Ewald, vice-president of business development and strategic planning for Children's Hospital of Michigan. Ewald talked to students about the recent scientific innovations at the hospital, including a vein finder, so children don't have to get stuck with needles repeatedly, and a baby cooling blanket, which has reduced the incidence of brain damage and cerebral palsy from lack of oxygen.
She then gathered 10 young women at the front of the auditorium and had them each draw a picture of what a scientist looks like; only two drew women. Ewald talked about the existing stereotype that implies women can't succeed in math or science, even though, as she cited, women have higher grade-point averages in math and science courses than men - a fact that drew applause from the crowd.
She also talked about four of her friends from Mercy who went into the field of medicine and some of their accomplishments. She said Mercy's lab was "truly one of the best I've seen."
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