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Honors Biology student Caleb Jacques holds a beaker while Logan Dubois fills it and Xavier Leclair watches during a biology class in the newly completed addition of the Scamman Science Building at Thornton Academy Monday.
Honors Biology student Caleb Jacques holds a beaker while Logan Dubois fills it and Xavier Leclair watches during a biology class in the newly completed addition of the Scamman Science Building at Thornton Academy Monday.
SACO — A new school year brings with it new classes, new teachers, new experiences, even new friends. This year, for Thornton Academy high school students, it also brought new, state-of-the-art math and science classroom space.

A recently completed, 12,773-square-foot addition to the Scamman Science center has added eight new classrooms as well as storage space for laboratory items. Thornton Academy is a private school with publicly and privately funded students, and the $2.5 million project was funded by a fundraising campaign and private borrowing.

Student Ethan Dupuis pours chicken broth into a beaker during honors biology class at Thornton Academy Monday.
Student Ethan Dupuis pours chicken broth into a beaker during honors biology class at Thornton Academy Monday.
Science teacher Jess Cardosi said the new classroom can better accommodate her students. Tables are on wheels and can be moved to best suit the needs of the class. For example, if students are working on an experiment that has a waiting period for results, students can wheel a table over so they can keep tabs on the experiment while doing other class work.

The new classroom space is the latest step the school is taking in its Science- Technology-Engineering- Math, or STEM, initiative. The school has created a partnership with University of Maine that allows students to complete the first year of a college engineering program while in high school.

Last year, Thornton also became a national pilot site for an online precision machine and tool curriculum in collaboration with the National Tooling and Machining Association, Arundel Machine and Southern Maine Community College.

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“It’s incumbent on us to always move forward,” said Headmaster Rene Menard.

Science classes now have a more inquiry-based, hands-on approach, with students learning critical thinking skills they’ll need to be successful after high school. Apple TVs in classrooms allow students to share information on a projection screen and rolling tables allow teachers to configure space for students to work in groups, he said.

“We want students to work collaboratively on projects, which is what they will see in the workplace,” said Menard.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.


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