Partnership to boost science learning in Detroit schools

BLOOMFIELD HILLS (AP) -- Public schools students in Detroit will get a leg up on learning as part of the district's collaboration with the prestigious Cranbrook Institute of Science. A partnership, announced last week at Cranbrook's Bloomfield Hills campus, allows inner city students hands-on exposure to science and technology and access to the institute's collection of 250,000 items and specimens. Field trips to Cranbrook and family outreach programs at several Detroit schools are part of the partnership. Institute memberships for Detroit families and professional development in science for Detroit teachers also will be available. "Detroit Public Schools students will grow into adulthood better prepared to be significant contributors to society, particularly in the globally competitive fields of science and technology, as a result of this innovative partnership," Detroit Schools emergency manager Roy Roberts said in a release. "It was Cranbrook ... that reached out to DPS, and I am personally excited that they would do so to offer their resources to our educators, our children, and their parents to accelerate their growth and development in these fields." Detroit students traditionally have scored poorly on standardized math and science tests. The core science education through the partnership will be based on state expectations. "Together with DPS, we are anxious to play a role in the continued transformation of Detroit Public Schools," Cranbrook Institute director Michael Stafford said. "Cranbrook Institute of Science is ideally poised to help create a culture of excellence in science education and career opportunity development for Detroit's young people." Published: Mon, Jan 30, 2012