By Thomas Moran
The Biochemistry Literacy for Kids Program has opened two courses in 3 weeks. The Kids RE course started Feb 1, with 4 students. The Adult class started Feb 17, also with 4 adults participating. The course was developed by Dr. Daniel Fried, a Yale University Biochemistry Ph.D, and is completely online except for the physical molecular modeling kit that plays an integral part in the course. The course is suitable for students from age nine up, and provides a deep survey of what is often college-level biochemistry material.
The Biochemistry Literacy for Kids – A Supplemental RE Program’s two courses are as follows: There is the Kids RE course that launched Sunday evening, February 1st, with 4 students and with the invaluable assistance and collegial presence of Morristown UU Fellowship member, Gabor Kiss. Having Gabor on or Don Marks, if Gabor is not available, on a given Sunday evening, helps this program meet the UUA guidelines for the safety of young people in a virtual classroom setting. That being said, Gabor brings much more to the class, and we are grateful for his presence.
The second class, which launched on Tuesday, February 17. Was an adult class that spun off from the interest in the kids’ class. We have 4 participants there, Michael Hacher and Gary Gu from the Morristown UU Fellowship. We have an old friend, Bill Selzak, from the Essex County and Montclair congregations. I know Bill mostly through UU FaithAction NJ, where we served on the Board for many years together. Bill just likes the subject, as do others. Finally, a case that I am delighted to have. Donte Hatcher of Allentown, PA, is a young man whom I know through my work in NJ-Prison Justice Watch (NJ-PJW), working to force the State of NJ to properly implement the Isolated Confinement Restriction Act (ICRA). Donte has felt the impact of isolated confinement personally. He suffered it. I am so glad that he sees fit to take this course.
Our Kids class switched gears, and instead of targeting 24 lessons in 24 sessions, we have decided to go at a pace that allows for what we hope is a high degree of mastery. If we need to continue the course into the Fall, we will do so. We will, of course, take the summer off. That does not mean that we will not be starting a course from lesson 1 in the Fall. We will do so. That is a message for those young people who might have wanted to take this course this year, but did not, for whatever reason. So, we may have two Kids classes running concurrently during the year.
We were also excited to launch an adult course. The adults seem well oriented to the material, and in this case, we probably will be able to finish the course in 24 sessions. I think it would be possible to join the adult course now, if you still want to. Email thomasmoran.inspace@gmail.com for more information.