The Class of 1998 has launched the School’s first Crowdfunding Campaign to raise US$ 25,000 in 30 days to assist the renovation of the 4th lab in the Old Science Block built in 1944. The Because Girls in Science Matter Crowdfunding Campaign was launched on Sunday June 1, 2014 and will run for 30 days.
This Crowdfunding Campaign – (http://www.razoo.com/story/St-Andrew-High-Science-Lab-4-Campaign-Because-Girls-In-Science-Matter) – is the first of its kind for St. Andrew High School for any high school in Jamaica, staying true to the pioneering spirit of St. Andrew and its graduates, fondly called Old Girls.
The worldwide appeal urges donors to support quality and accessible education for our girls as a pressing issue of the 21st century, and one which is especially important for a developing country like Jamaica. The school community is encouraged to visit the site to donate and monitor the campaign’s progress.
Old Girl Renee-Lauren Ellis ‘98 resident in Washington DC, heard about the Foundation’s fundraising success with the other three labs and was motivated to rally alumnae around the globe to give. Given the security and flexibility of various crowdfunding platforms, and the fact that other Jamaican institutions (such as the Alpha Boys School radio station and the Crayons Count Campaign Project of the Do Good Jamaica Foundation) have experienced success with crowdfunding, Ellis liaised with Jessica Jones and Dr Deanna Ashley of the SAHS Foundation and gathered a team of her classmates to plan and launch the Because Girls in Science Matter Crowdfunding Campaign.
The Campaign is being coordinated, with the St. Andrew Foundation and the St Andrew Alumnae Association Inc, New York Chapter (also called the NYC Chapter), by a group of alumnae from the class of 1998. Because of the partnership with the NYC Chapter, all donations to the Because Girls in Science Matter Crowdfunding Campaign are tax-deductible in the US. Donations are therefore also eligible for corporate matching programs.
The Because Girls in Science Matter Crowdfunding Campaign features testimonials from Old Girls who have benefited from a SAHS science education. The Campaign also features testimonials from current students, some of whom are benefiting from the renovations of the other three labs. Their perspectives boldly show how important it is to have quality facilities and how it enriches the learning experience, not only for conducting experiments and learning about the natural world, but also for building confidence. Join the donors who have helped us to renovate the other three labs to show St. Andrew students that they matter; invest in their future, inspire them with your commitment, and empower them to do their best work.
Ellis notes, “In addition to our positive personal experiences in science at St. Andrew, our research confirmed that effective teaching and learning of science involves seeing, handling, and manipulating real objects and materials.” In fact, one source asserts that the knowledge the girls attain in classrooms would be ineffectual unless they actually observe the process and understand the relationship between action and reaction (Science First). This fundraising campaign will not only provide money for Lab 4’s renovation, but it will free up the school’s limited budget for other expenses, such as field trips, teachers’ salaries, and even non-science related activities to ensure that a St. Andrew graduate is a well-rounded young lady.
WHAT: Because Girls in Science Matter Crowdfunding Campaign
WHEN: June 1, 2014 – June 30, 2014
DONATIONS: Razoo:http://www.razoo.com/story/St-Andrew-High-Science-Lab-4-Campaign-Because-Girls-In-Science-Matter
WEBSITE: http://sahsscience.tumblr.com/
TWITTER: @SAHSScience #SAHSScience #SAHSLab4
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SAHSScience
EMAIL: SAHS.ScienceLab4@gmail.com