Senator Robbins Joined by Legislators in Support of Science in Motion Program

Harrisburg – State Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) was joined by several Senate and House colleagues, including President Pro Tempore of the State Senate, Bob Jubelirer (R-30) to promote the highly successful and cost-effective "Science in Motion" program.

In 1986, Juniata College Professor, Dr. Don Mitchell, who was born and raised in Sharon, PA, founded the "Science in Motion" program. Originally through a National Science Foundation Grant and later through state support, Juniata College has been able to purchase high tech science equipment, such as atomic force microscopes and DNA profiling equipment. This equipment is made available to schools via what has now become their trademark "Science in Motion" van. Like a science experiment, this program--once proven successful at Juniata--was soon replicated at other institutions of higher education, including Westminster College. Today, Science in Motion has grown to 11 colleges and universities throughout the Commonwealth serving 235 public, private, and parochial schools.

Sen. Robbins stated, "This program has--by all measures--been proven a success. It has been featured on ABC News with Peter Jennings, as well as having won the 2003 Innovations Award from the national Council of State Governments. The Department of Education has even promoted the merits of the program."

Science in Motion has also spurred other states to duplicate the program; however, despite its success, Pennsylvania has yet to fully commit to it. Most recently, Governor Rendell has proposed eliminating all state funding for this program despite his previous support for the program.

Sen. Robbins said, "Through our efforts in the General Assembly, it is my hope that we can pass legislation, such as my Senate Bill 414 or House Bill 1512, introduced by Rep. Fred McIlhattan (R-63), to permanently place into state law and continue to expand this program throughout the Commonwealth."

Westminster College serves the Farrell, Grove City, Hermitage, Highlands, Jamestown, Lakeview, Laurel, Mercer, Mohawk, Neshannock, New Castle, Penn Crest, Seneca Valley, Sharon, Sharpsville, Slippery Rock, and Wilmington school districts.

"I have seen first-hand the work done by the staff at Westminster College," said Sen. Robbins. "The Science in Motion program provides high school students hands-on access to high-tech equipment that their schools are normally not able to afford. In addition, it really helps to stimulate student interest in science, something that textbooks have a difficult time in accomplishing."

CONTACT: Nate Silcox (717) 787-1322