Adding A Math & Science Challenge To School

Public schools must be all things to all students, bringing slow learners up to speed without boring bright kids senseless.

Last academic year, a core group of parents at Roosevelt Elementary School decided their kids needed more math and science than the curriculum allowed.

So they formed a group called Math and Science Challenge (MaSC).

These core organizers -- including Mitch Huitema, Tim Holmes, Jill Rodgers-Quaye, George Quaye and Seth Foster -- helped raise $7,000 to bring in two after-school instructors.

One came from the Lawrence Hall of Science and the other came from TeachBar, a learning organization based in San Leandro.

Between April 16 and June 11, MaSC made it possible for 48 students, referred by their teachers, to get an hour per week of extra math and science instruction.

In the coming academic year, MaSC organizers hope to raise $45,000 to offer the same opportunity to 96 grade schoolers, half at Roosevelt and the rest at another pilot school to be chosen by school district officials.

To learn more about the effort or to help, email info@masc.org.

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