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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, and 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.”
 
Remarks by
President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer
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Sen. Bob Robbins, at podium, and Sen.
Robert Jubelirer, left, participate in a May 11 news conference in the
Capitol's East Wing to promote the "Science in Motion" program in
Pennsylvania.
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