A science program funded by the Cargill grant encourages risk-taking in science and builds strong relationships between students and teachers, according to the head of the science department, Mark Miller.

Miller is involved in this 5-year-old program and said he thinks it enables high school teachers to visit elementary and middle schools and teach science.

Teachers go to schools and help teach along with the teachers in the classrooms, with a specific focus on engineering.

Miller said he believes this program is a unique opportunity which helps build relationships between students and their teacher and encourages students to take risks in science.

“I don’t know of any other districts that are taking high school teachers into elementary classrooms,” Miller said.

According to Miller, it is important for students to try new opportunities in science and try advanced classes in high school.

“If we can make a relationship with these kids early on we can hopefully get them to take some more risks and take some harder classes in science,” Miller said.