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welcome we are under construction. please check back often. ------------------------------------------ ATTENTION TEACHERS, STUDENTS, PARENTS,& CITIZENS We are here to help get you up to speed on your understanding of and comfortability with the basics of science. We have very little to do with martial arts and everything to do with science education. The National Science Education Leadership Association realizes the importance of and the need for the improvement of elementary science education, and strongly recommends and supports the following: 1. An elementary science curriculum should be consistent and aligned with the current national and state science standards, frameworks, and/or benchmarks. 2. An elementary science curriculum should help all students develop confidence to engage in independent thinking and foster positive attitudes toward science and scientists 3. An elementary science curriculum should be “hands-on-”, process- oriented, inquiry-based, and encourage students to think rather than memorize large numbers of facts 4. An elementary science curriculum should engage all learners and should be developmentally appropriate. 5. District curriculum guidelines for elementary students should specify that a minimum of 30 minutes a day of science instruction with a minimum of sixty percent (60%) of that time be devoted to hands-on activities. 6. Teachers should base their teaching of elementary science on process and inquiry skills such as observing, classifying, measuring, interpreting data, proposing hypotheses and conclusions. 7. Teachers should attend safety workshops and learn laboratory safety rules and practices: these rules and/or guidelines should be reviewed with students frequently and when appropriate. 8. Teachers should have the opportunity to meet regularly in grade-level groups and across grade levels to discuss science teaching and learning. 9. Teachers should have the opportunity and be expected to attend at least one science workshop or state convention each school year; funds should be allocated in the district budget so elementary teachers can attend these workshops and conventions. 10. In order to deliver a hands-on science curriculum at each grade level, sufficient science supplies should be available. 11. The school building should be designed and equipped so that each teacher and class has access to at least one room that contains adequate facilities and supplies for “hands-on” and inquiry-based science. 12. A science specialist, who has at least a minor in science education, should be available to assist all teachers in each building with hands-on science lessons and materials. 13. A science aide should be available to assist teachers, organize materials, replenish materials, and set up the science laboratory. 14. A science supervisor or science leader should be available to coordinate, integrate and articulate the science program. 15. The principal should assume a strong leadership role in supporting and implementing the science program; principals should attend workshops and other professional development programs in science education. Adopted 11/01/97