BUSINESS GIVES $50,000 FOR AT-HOME SCIENCE STUDY

The Southwestern Bell Foundation Thursday presented Southeast Missouri State University with a $50,000 grant to develop an "at-home" science program as part of a program aimed at improving students' math and science skills.

The program, K-6 Science and Mathematics Improvement (KSAM), initially was funded with grants from the National Science Foundation in 1985 and 1987 and with a $97,000 grant from Southwestern Bell Foundation.

KSAM uses improved teaching methods to give elementary school teachers the skills needed to pique children's interest in science and mathematics.

Robert A. Dickemper, vice president for human resources at Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., announced the grant Thursday at the Show Me Center. Dickemper also is chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee of the Southeast Missouri State University Foundation.

Southwestern Bell's interest in KSAM is two-fold, he said.

"Today's students are tomorrow's employees... and customers," he said. "The better our students are educated, the more prepared they are for the work force and for society.

"KSAM is designed to help involve students in both science and math and to excite and motivate them."

Robert Foster, executive director of the Southeast Foundation, said Southwestern Bell has been instrumental in funding KSAM.

"Southwestern Bell believes in the program, is excited about the program, and with this grant, continues to demonstrate its significant leadership for this worthwhile program."

The KSAM "At Home Science Program" is designed to extend science education beyond the classroom, said Southeast President Kala Stroup.

"The program will provide a mechanism and appropriate materials to extend science instruction into students' homes," Stroup added.

Under the program, science guides will be developed for home use that contain activities for students and their parents.

The Southwestern Bell grant will fund publication of 10,000 volumes of the program to be distributed to about 1,300 Missouri public elementary schools next October, Stroup said.

She said the guides also are intended to help students who struggle with science and to help teachers meet the needs of students who enjoy science and want more than what is presented in the classroom.

Stroup said that it was appropriate that the donation was presented Thursday, the same day the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education and Southeast Board of Regents held a joint meeting at the university.

"One of the top priorities for the coordinating board is improving math and science throughout the state," she said. "This program is designed to do just that. Not only will this grant assist Southeast Missouri, but it's for the entire state."

Southwestern Bell's original donation helped fund a science and math activity series that was distributed to Missouri public elementary schools last year.

The new "At Home Science Program" is expected to complement the original KSAM program and to expand Southwestern Bell's "Success in School is Homemade" project by focusing more attention on parental involvement in their children's science instruction.