Students in Moore High School’s Health Science Academy Pathway are back in their lab classroom months after an intentionally set fire destroyed their learning space, forcing classes to operate out of a gym since August.For seniors who have been waiting to complete hands-on training tied to certifications, the loss of the lab was more than just a change of scenery.”Taking away that learning experience for people who have been waiting on it for so long, it’s kind of disheartening,” senior Gifted Waritay said. “They could have chosen any other part. But the lab, like everything that we needed, all the stuff, the learning equipment, we didn’t have none of that.”Many seniors, including Waritay and Kalynn Moss, didn’t think they would get back into the lab at all during their final year. But with the rebuilt space now open, students say the return brings both room and opportunity. Most of what’s now inside the health science building is brand new. The portion of the lab where students learn certified nursing assistant (CNA) skills was reduced to ash in the fire. The rebuilt room is now stocked with medical dolls and equipment used to practice taking blood pressure and drawing blood.The sports medicine lab was not destroyed, but it sustained heavy smoke damage, requiring much of the equipment to be replaced. The refreshed space now includes weights, workout machines and examination tables for students.”It was a challenge. It’s been a while,” Kimberly Bruce, a health science teacher, said. “We’ve had months that we’ve had to do this. We didn’t even think we’d be back. So to be back this soon, I think it’s remarkable to be right where we’re at today.”In the coming weeks, students are expected to complete certificates to become registered CNAs and physical therapy technicians.
Students in Moore High School’s Health Science Academy Pathway are back in their lab classroom months after an intentionally set fire destroyed their learning space, forcing classes to operate out of a gym since August.
For seniors who have been waiting to complete hands-on training tied to certifications, the loss of the lab was more than just a change of scenery.
“Taking away that learning experience for people who have been waiting on it for so long, it’s kind of disheartening,” senior Gifted Waritay said. “They could have chosen any other part. But the lab, like everything that we needed, all the stuff, the learning equipment, we didn’t have none of that.”
Many seniors, including Waritay and Kalynn Moss, didn’t think they would get back into the lab at all during their final year. But with the rebuilt space now open, students say the return brings both room and opportunity.
Most of what’s now inside the health science building is brand new. The portion of the lab where students learn certified nursing assistant (CNA) skills was reduced to ash in the fire. The rebuilt room is now stocked with medical dolls and equipment used to practice taking blood pressure and drawing blood.
The sports medicine lab was not destroyed, but it sustained heavy smoke damage, requiring much of the equipment to be replaced. The refreshed space now includes weights, workout machines and examination tables for students.
“It was a challenge. It’s been a while,” Kimberly Bruce, a health science teacher, said. “We’ve had months that we’ve had to do this. We didn’t even think we’d be back. So to be back this soon, I think it’s remarkable to be right where we’re at today.”
In the coming weeks, students are expected to complete certificates to become registered CNAs and physical therapy technicians.