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The Science in Motion program brings vans equipped with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and experiments to Pennsylvania junior and senior high school students.

Vereb was first introduced to the Science in Motion program when she was a student at Steel Valley High School in Munhall.

"The Science in Motion van came to my chemistry class with equipment the school didn't have," said Vereb.  "They brought enough stuff for the entire class to have hands-on experience."

"I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher, and hoped that I would have access to this type of program," continued Vereb.  "I'm student teaching 12th grade biology in Wilmington, and the ¾¨Ó㴫ý unit of Science in Motion came to my class.  They did DNA finger printing and other testing.  The students got excited when they found out the van was coming.  They love the high tech involvement, and it keeps their interest."

¾¨Ó㴫ý, which is one of 11 centers in Pennsylvania that offers Science in Motion, focuses on schools in Butler, Lawrence, and Mercer Counties.

"So far this year, the SIM program at ¾¨Ó㴫ý has made about 4,000 student contacts through equipment loans and teaching visits to 16 schools," said Dr. Kathy Shaffer, acting director of the ¾¨Ó㴫ý Science in Motion program.

The Pennsylvania Department of State funds this project through the Higher Education Basic Education Science and Technology Partnership.  In the past, SIM brought their vans to Harrisburg for demonstrations.  This year Pennsylvania State Senator Robert D. Robbins visited Mercer High School and Pennsylvania State Representative Rod E. Wilt visited Lakeview High School while SIM was helping students conduct experiments.

"I hope theses visits provide local legislators with an idea of how SIM impacts science classrooms at local levels," said Shaffer.  "Few teachers in our state have the resources to run an effective laboratory program, but this program gives them that equipment."

"No matter where I teach, I hope I have access to this program," said Vereb.

Vereb is a daughter of Pamela Vereb, 9839 Presidential Dr., Allison Park.  She is a member of Beta Beta Beta Biological Society; Kappa Delta Pi, an education honor society; and Mortar Board, a senior scholarship honor society.

For more information, contact Vereb at (724) 946-6815 or e-mail verebha@westminster.edu or Shaffer at (724) 946-6295 or e-mail shaffeka@westminster.edu or visit the website http://www.westminster.edu/Acad/chem/sim/