Dana Elementary Gets Paleontology Grant

Richard Henry Dana Elementary School was recently awarded a two-year grant worth $289,000 to develop an advanced paleontology science program.

Dubbed Project Splash, the program will start in September and use the restoration of an ancient baleen whale as the centerpiece for lessons in science, technology and language.

The grant, from the Federal Title VII Bilingual Education Office, will support a paleontology director at the school, science equipment and tools.

Students will work on a 25-foot-long fossil that was donated to the school last spring.

“Children have such a natural fascination with skeletons and fossils,” Principal Dave Gerhard said. “Project Splash will enable them to express that interest and get involved with a hands-on science program.”