MTCES on Fox 19

ON Thursday, April 29th, FOX 19 visited MTCES and the science lab to check out the school's newest acquisition, a DNA Analyzer, donated to the school by Life Technologies. To view the report, click the following link: Watch the Video.

DNA technology comes to MTCES

Using science in the working world is more than lecturing in the classroom. While the Hollywood image of the scientist has evolved from old men in white lab coats to the detectives on “CSI,”  real life applications of science degrees are varied and numerous. As a Regional Specialist in Molecular Biology for Life Technologies, MTCE parent Greg LaCrosse spends each workday supporting clients as they use and apply science. As witness to the many and diverse ways in which people use scientific investigation and study, he was troubled to learn that U.S. students are falling behind in science. So LaCrosse developed his own theory, and went to work.

His idea: bring technology into the classroom to get students excited about the limitless possibilities science offers.

“There are some pretty smart kids here; Julie and I were impressed by their science fair projects.”  He especially liked the range and depth of thought the students used to develop their theses, and wants to encourage more thought and investigation. So he asked his employer to donate a DNA Analyzer to the school’s science lab.

“I talked to several people in my company and said we need to get these kids earlier,” LaCrosse recalled. “At the late elementary level, their minds are very wide open, and they are very accepting. Perhaps we could get a few interested in pursuing a career in science, by showing them a few of the many ways science can be applied. It’s not just writing grants anymore; there are a lot of companies needing and searching for scientists. Becoming a scientist no longer means that you become a professor."

The LaCrosses are proof of that; while Greg travels the country supporting the use of science technology, Julie is a Forensics Director of a National DNA Testing Laboratory. And both parents are eager to share their knowledge with MTCES students. “We hope to show students how to conduct DNA studies; we could type our family, so the students could see the transformation from parent to child, and put it up on the Smartboard.”

Greg’s goal is to get students to not only ask questions, but to feel empowered and encouraged to search for the answers. “When you ask a question, it’s a hypothesis—you don’t know if it is true or not, and it doesn’t matter if you are right or wrong. If you are wrong, fine, ask another question. If you are right, then technically that should lead to more and more questions –that is how science works. And we want our young people to ask the questions.”

The couple has offered to support MTCES teachers, and help develop programs both during and after-school. “We hope to get other schools to visit and use our facilities. My hope, long term, is that this idea spreads, and results in more people becoming interested in science.” And despite the demands of two careers and two children, the LaCrosses’ commitment is unwavering; as Julie remarked, “this is an investment in the children’s future.” To which Greg added, “It’s an investment in the human race.”

Plaque honors Mark Kleingers' efforts

To hear Mark Kleingers tell it, he is just the facilitator, the guy who takes the idea and implements it. But when the ideas are about making MTCES a true 21st century school on a limited, almost non-existent budget, he is not only the “go-to” guy, he is practically a miracle worker.

A systems integrator for eLynx, Kleingers has been an MTCES dad since 2002, and has served on the facilities and technology teams for years.  He assumed leadership of the technology team a few years ago, and admits, “At times it is almost like a second full time job; but it’s been fun, after all, you get to play with the toys.”

Kleingers’ impact can be felt throughout the school, which is why a plaque commemorating his efforts was unveiled during Morning Prayer in late March. Tony Reed, Facilities Chairman, remarked, “Mark exemplifies the Volunteer Spirit and is a role model to all of us.  He gives unselfishly of his time and talent to make the school a better place.  He has touched every aspect of technology and facilities infrastructure in the school.  His efforts have saved the school tens of thousands of dollars while helping to get best in class technology.”

Mark is incredibly modest about his contributions; he has had a hand in just about every MTCES improvement, from Smartboard installation, to the MTCES scoreboard and screen, to the obtaining the power and placement of the new DNA Analyzer.

When pressed to talk about his efforts, he is quick to mention the contributions of others. “Mark Schweinenfuss had the idea for the scoreboard; he had an app that he used with his kids, and said why can’t we get a big project for the wall? His idea created the spark, got me looking around for something that would work.”  When the conversation turns to the effort to secure and install Smartboard technology in the upper level classrooms, he remarks, “Tony Reed and Dave Maushart did an incredible job with the coordination; they are incredible to work with.”

He will admit that he has, in countless hours, “done a little bit of everything; I don’t usually come up with the ideas, I just figure out how to make it happen. Someone thinks of what they want, someone else has the money, and I figure out how to do.” Motivated to make improvements for his children’s school, he credits his wife Pam for her help and patience, and adds that his efforts “are a lot of fun, really;” and added with a smile, “and now I’ve got a plaque I can stand under.”