ST. CROIX — Faculty and staff of the Elena Christian Junior High School were greeted on Monday by a vandalized science lab, which the school’s award-winning Rocketry Club as well as other students use for various science projects.
The Consortium learned of the incident through a parent whose child attends the school, and upon arrival on the scene, met with science teacher Steve Bullock, who also leads the Rocketry Club, and an officer, as they assessed the damage.
The school had just held its science fair, and the vandals trashed the students’ projects, including those of winning students who are set to compete at the District Science Fair on May 22 at the Sunshine Mall.
“They stole some of the projects, they mashup the equipment, and spilled acid on the ground,” Mr. Bullock said.
It was the second time in two weekends that the school’s science lab had been trashed, but the school itself has seen a string of robberies this school year. The Consortium had reached out to the Department of Education about one of those incidents, but a response never returned.
Some of the students also worked on projects that included bacteria, which the vandals trashed as well. “It’s really bad, Mr. Bullock said.
A Consortium reporter visited the lab and witnessed firsthand the destruction. The door’s knob was tampered, and another room within the lab was broken into. On the floor, acid and other materials were littered.
In the prior incident, the thieves stole expensive lenses and other items indelible to any worthwhile science lab. School Principal Carlos McGregor was not available for comment.
Tags: elena christian junior high school, science lab
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