WSU School of Medicine donates microscopes to Detroit Public Schools

The School of Medicine donated 100 microscopes to Detroit Public Schools. Currently valued at approximately $350 each, these microscopes represent a $35,000 donation from WSU to Detroit Public Schools. The equipment, which had previously been used by first and second-year medical students, will now be used at Crockett Technical and Northwestern High Schools.

“The microscopes create an opportunity for our students to increase their understanding of science, biology and basic cellular processes,” said Karen Harrison, director of the Office of Science Education for the Detroit Public Schools. “We are happy to be the beneficiaries of this partnership with Wayne State University.”

As Detroit’s only medical school, WSU has a strong commitment to its immediate community. “We hope this donation of equipment will help enrich the scientific curriculum for Detroit students,” said John Crissman, MD, dean of the School of Medicine. “In addition, we hope to increase interest in biomedical and scientific careers.”

Harrison was pleased to receive this technological boost, which will help further the district’s goal of improving science, math and engineering education. Now in its sixth year, the Detroit Urban Systemic Program is a district-wide initiative to provide students with increased access to scientific tools and new models of learning.

The School of Medicine offers many educational and training opportunities to Detroit students, including a summer science training program for minority high school teens and multiple outreach programs, in which medical students voluntarily teach kids about prevention and dangers of drug use, AIDS and sexually-transmitted diseases.

Ron Spalding, director of conjoint teaching services, also extended thanks to Theresa Williams, lab coordinator, and Charles Hogan, lab technician, who cleaned and prepared the microscopes.