July 5, 2007, The Andover Townsman: "Elementary schools: $25K gift to make science cool"

Neil Fater

The Deshpande family of Andover wants youth to see that engineering can be as cool as playing for the Red Sox. The family has donated $25,000 to help that happen.

The gift will allow all Andover elementary schools to teach a lauded, hands-on science curriculum developed by the Museum of Science in Boston. The lessons | part of the museum's Engineering is Elementary program | are meant to make children into problem-solvers excited about science and technology.

Read full story here. 

November 4, 2006, Eagle Tribune, "West Middle School takes engineering to new heights"

By Colin Steele , Staff writer

ANDOVER - Dan Miley calls it "learning by inspiration."

Students in his engineering technology classes at West Middle School don't spend much time sitting at desks and taking notes. Instead, they build model rockets, wind turbines and airplanes, learning about math, physics and electronics in the process.

Read full story here.