Eye institute field trip grant gives students vision for future science careers

A group of 85 fourth-grade students from H.O. Brittingham Elementary School in Milton recently spent a day at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, thanks to a grant from the Delaware Eye Institute.

The students and four teachers, led by Joseph Lingo, enjoyed a number of the institute’s interactive exhibits, including the giant heart, sports, an indoor locomotive and some of Ben Franklin’s famous inventions, and viewed the I-MAX film “Space Junk” about satellite and rocket pieces left behind in space.

Following the trip, students sent thank you notes to Dr. David Robinson, medical director at the Delaware Eye Institute. Robinson remembers the impact of his own student visit: “I remember that my trip to the Franklin Institute made a real impression on me as a young student. I hope that the students we sponsored will be inspired, like I was, to consider a career in science or medicine.”

Funds for the trip were provided through the Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation’s teacher grant program, which solicits contributions from local sponsors like the Delaware Eye Institute. CHEF works to match people’s passions with needs in the schools. The grants are a central focus of CHEF’s efforts to provide financial resources for innovative educational projects and classroom resources that the Cape Henlopen School District could not otherwise afford.

Since 2006, CHEF has funded more than 130 teacher grant requests, as well as individual student grants, performing arts scholarships and special anti-bullying and homelessness programs, for a total of more than $80,000 in educational aid to the nine Cape schools.

Additional information about CHEF, including how to volunteer and be a donor, is available at www.CapeEducationFund.org.