Biochemistry Literacy for Kids has Launched!

The Biochemistry Literacy for Kids Program, has launched two separate courses in the past several weeks. There is a children's course, which launched Sunday evening, February 1st, with 4 students.

We have had the invaluable assistance and collegial presence of Gabor Kiss in the classes. 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 of mine, Bill Slezak, from the Essex County and Montclair congregations.

I know Bill mostly through UU FaithAction NJ, where we served on the Board for a number of 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 the 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. Speak to me if so.

-Tom Moran