Right now the science lab at St. Olaf Catholic School in Bountiful is a room in the basement of the school — old carpet, tables and some chairs, but no sinks or lab.
The room hasn't been updated in decades, but when students return to the school next fall, the lab will have had a state-of-the-art overhaul thanks to a $95,000 grant from a foundation in Reno.
"It is absolutely huge with the opportunity that it will provide — we just feel very blessed and it will give new life to our school," said school Principal Jo Ann Emery.
The E.L. Wiegand Foundation of Reno grant will provide the K-8 school with infrastructure and supplies to provide hands-on, developmentally appropriate science education to all of the school's students.
Younger students will benefit from geology kits, pulleys, rockets, and simple chemistry sets, while middle school students will work with more sophisticated technology and equipment, including microscopes, telescopes, Bunsen burners, balances, laptops and Smartboards.
"We are very thankful to the Wiegand Foundation for providing us with the resources to bring such a state-of-the-art facility to our school," said Emery.
School spokesman Sarah Wilson said St. Olaf Catholic School has a long-standing commitment to science education, and the school recently won top awards in both the Davis County and Salt Lake City Diocese Science fairs.
The E.L. Wiegand Foundation of Reno supports programs and projects of organizations in the fields of education, health and medical research, civic and community affairs, arts and cultural affairs, and public affairs.
St. Olaf School has about 190 students and is a private elementary and middle school.
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