Culture swap

Math and science classes taught by highly trained instructors are a way of life at Waubonsie Valley High School.

But students at the Aurora school recently got a reminder about how that's not always the case in other parts of the world as they met representatives from their newest partner in education -- the LEAP Science and Maths School in South Africa.

John Gilmour, who founded the school, spoke to students about the inequality between education for black and white students in his country, which is still reeling from apartheid.

"The history of our country is the history of social engineering," Gilmour told them. "It's a history in which people consciously have been discriminated against using a system called apartheid, which simply means segregation."

A group of 30 Waubonsie students, staff and parents -- including the school's Mosaic Ensemble -- will see that culture for themselves this summer when they take a stewardship trip to South Africa. On the itinerary are community service projects and activities to promote an exchange of ideas and cultures.

In an effort to encourage Waubonsie students to get involved, Gilmour told them about the LEAP school he started in 2004 to help economically disadvantaged black students who otherwise would have only one chance in 1,000 of getting into college.

Students at his school take double blocks of math, science and English, and also give back to their community, a model Gilmour is using to create similar schools. He said it costs about $3,000 a year to educate a student at LEAP, most of which comes from foundations and corporations.

Students also heard from Sandile Nukuna, from the South African township of Langa. After Nukuna failed 12th grade at his all-black high school, Gilmour helped get him into an all-white school through a tuition-assistance program.

Nukuna graduated from high school and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in political science from Beloit College in Wisconsin. He is now an HIV/AIDS counselor and helps with one of LEAP's learning centers.

Waubonsie science teacher Elaine Modine hopes meeting Gilmour and Nukuna will give her students "an appreciation for diversity and maybe give them some thought about how they can make a difference."

Gilmour said the partnership between LEAP and Waubonsie will be an educational experience for all.

"So many times the West sees Africa as a country to be pitied. If you feel that, shift today please," he said. "Because we don't want your pity. We want your humanity. We want to share our humanity with you."

After the talk, Waubonsie students demonstrated one of the skills they've learned from their own science classes -- extracting DNA from cheek cells.

Seniors Stacy Sheeren and Liz Bradford showed Gilmour how to extract his DNA and after several steps, isolated it in a small tube attached to a beaded necklace he had created.

They said hearing about the LEAP school was eye-opening and inspired them to find ways to help. Sheeren said she would be interested in going on the stewardship trip next summer.

"I'm so happy, I've been blessed to be in this community and have this education," Sheeren said. "I'm really interested in letting other people have the opportunity for education."