By Ellen H. King
November 17, 2003

Key West (FL) Mayor Jimmy Weekley and Rochester (NY) Mayor William Johnson recently invited the USCM/DuPont Cities United for Science Progress (CUSP) Science in the School Day Program to their cities to stress the importance of science education in their local elementary schools. Both mayors joined a DuPont field engineer in a classroom of students to perform science experiments displaying elementary science and engineering principles. Mayors were able to share this experience with their entire city, as local media attended both events to capture the moment.

CUSP's Science in the School Day Program afforded both mayors with the opportunity to join some of their youngest residents for some valuable time in the classroom. Weekley noted, "I learned about the CUSP program while attending the annual U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting and thought it would be a great fit for Key West," said Weekley. "When I approached the Superintendent with the idea, he agreed that it would be a wonderful partnership."

DuPont husband and wife team Rodrick and LaShawanda Moore of Wilmington (DE) teamed up with Johnson to lead a morning of science exploration in a Rochester 2nd grade classroom. "My experience in Rochester was rewarding and indelible," noted LaShawanda Moore. "I will always remember the faces of the kids as they lit up to the concept of constructing buildings shaped like domes versus rectangles. They were intrigued with the fact that domes provide more space and stability."

"As everyone locally knows, this collaboration aims at issues very close to my heart, and supports goals outlined in the Educational Excellence Campaign of the city's comprehensive plan, Rochester 2010/The Renaissance," said Johnson. "CUSP's Science in the School Day is another important tool that will help students cross the -digital divide,- make learning a lifelong adventure and prepare them for the high tech workplace that is key to our city's future. I congratulate DuPont and The U.S. Conference of Mayors for launching this exciting initiative."

The Science in the School Day Program is an initiative of the USCM/DuPont CUSP partnership. To learn more about the CUSP partnership, please contact CUSP Managing Director Ellen H. King by phone at 202-861-6798 or by e-mail to eking@usmayors.org.