During the past eight months, the chapter received the Durastill 12 Gallon a Day automatic water distiller with a storage area, BPA-free storage containers for each lab and a portable steam autoclave.

The water distiller was permanently placed in the CTE wing wet lab.

“The addition of these two pieces of equipment makes it possible to do experiments and demonstrations that cannot occur in chlorinated tap water or labware that is not sterilized,” said Ron Wilson, Tyrone Area High School science department chair.

This equipment is shared among the agricultural education program, other CTE programs, and the science department.

Angel Jimenez (left) and Maverick Fleck prepare petri dishes with the autoclave for microbiology and ag classes.

It aids students in addressing real-world issues related to bacteria, fungi and other living organisms in controlled labs and growing areas, allowing them to conduct inquiry-based labs and gain hands-on experiences.

“In today’s job market, STEM-based careers are both in high demand and lucrative. Having the equipment to do lab-based high-tech experiments gives our students an advantage,” said Beth Cannistraci, Tyrone Area High School biology teacher.

Thanks goes out to the National FFA Organization in collaboration with Tractor Supply Co. for providing the $3,959 grant.

This program has generously given approximately $870,000 to FFA chapters across 42 states.

The funding is sourced from consumer donations collected during checkout at Tractor Supply Co. stores by purchasing a $1 FFA Paper Emblem.

The fundraising period coincides with National FFA Week in February.

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 945,900 student members as part of 9,163 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.