Thank You from Students

Donors make it possible for all interested students to participate in Saturday Academy's programs!

In FY04, donors enabled Saturday Academy to give over 100,000 in need-based scholarships to eager students.

Dear Saturday Academy,

I had a lot of fun in Chemistry Crime lab. I learned how to collect evidence, examine it and conduct an investigation. But what I liked the most was making new friends and learning with them which made the class so much more fun and interesting. So, to whomever provided my scholarship, thank you so much!!

Sincerely Yours,

Rosa (age 14)

"Rosa really enjoyed her time in the University of Portland science building. I mean, she loved the class and the work and the people, but to be in a college environment and see and feel what it was like was truly motivating for her. This is the kind of place she wants to be in four years from now. Thank You!

Rosa's Dad, John

“We’re going to take apart DNA?” The expression on Iphi’s face made it clear that she was not convinced. “Don’t we need expensive machines for that?”

“It’s really simple, actually.” said Jamie, the lab assistant at Oregon Health and Sciences University. “We’re going to extract DNA using things you would find around the house. In the lab I would use different chemicals, but both will achieve the same thing.”

“What are we going to take the DNA from?”

“Peas.”

Iphi raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

Twenty minutes later, after much stirring and waiting for the solution to settle, Iphi and the other girls in her camp were ready for the last step. Their test tubes were a solution of pea juice and detergent; a layer of alcohol floated on top. When the last ingredient was sprinkled, everyone covered their tubes and watched, not quite sure what they were to expect.

“Oh, look…!” Iphi held up her test tube for everyone to see, her face a mixture of surprise and delight. Milky-white strands were rising up from the pea juice and became suspended in the layer of alcohol above it. “This is so cool! I can see it… I can see DNA!”

--Class Observation by Simona Patange