This past January, the brand new Center for the Sciences opened at St. Dominic. This change in our community has brought many opportunities for our scientific crusaders. 

The new addition to St. Dominic has brought new possibilities to students and faculty alike. These possibilities have given Crusaders new learning opportunities and a hope of growing in knowledge of the sciences. 

“The new center has offered new spaces for individual projects, group work and class collaboration. The classroom spaces are so much more efficient,” Biomedical teacher Dr. Deb Ruscillo said. 

Many members of our staff are having a field day with the new technology St. Dominic has and will receive. With these incredible advancements in our science department, new areas of learning are opening up. 

“We will be getting an autoclave which allows for the sanitizing of tools and equipment. We will also be getting a thermocycler which will allow us to amplify our own DNA samples in PCR projects,” Dr. Ruscillo said. 

Good learning is contagious, and our faculty makes sure to maintain a good learning environment for our students. As new technological chances arise within our St. Dominic family, students can grow in understanding of everyday learning.

“I think that with the augmentation of our science programs, more kids interested in STEM will be encouraged to try new classes and bond with like-minded peers. The future looks bright for the St. Dominic STEM program,” Dr. Ruscillo said. 

Having new labs and devices, visual and physical learning will help students apply what they learn in the classroom to real life. These real life experiences give student a look to what life will look like outside of our halls. 

“St. Dominic is growing in the different and diverse science classes that can now be taught, since there is a dedicated space. The science center allows for students to be more hands on and interactive with the content.  Instead of just reading about it, they can experience it,” science teacher Mrs. Angelia Kemp said. 

Having groups of specialists come to our school and teach students about the importance of things like knowing CPR and how to handle stressful situations is important for teens to know as they leave school doors and enter into the world. 

New clubs have formed because of our science opportunities, like the Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA). The club has given many students the opportunity to use their knowledge and put it to good use. 

“Kids interested in STEM will be encouraged to try new classes and bond with like-minded peers. The future looks bright for the St. Dominic STEM program,” Dr. Ruscillo said. 

Our St. Dominic community has grown immensely since our Center for the Sciences has been opened and new opportunities are arising as students continue to get involved. Having this new building and classes being open can help lead students to the next chapters of their lives. Our scientific future at St. Dominic, just like our new science program, is looking pretty brilliant.