Greater Johnstown School District

Background

One in five American jobs require intensive math and science training, and every high-skill career demands employees with strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Pennsylvania's students must build a strong foundation in these skills beginning at an early age so they will be prepared to fill the needs of the high-skills 21st century economy.

Science: It's Elementary

Forty-eight school districts across southwest Pennsylvania, in partnership with the Bayer Foundation-funded ASSET, Inc., outperformed their peers throughout the world on science tests by transforming how elementary school teachers teach science to their students.

In 2006-07, Governor Rendell invested $10 million to take those proven strategies statewide by launching Science: It's Elementary in 2006-07, paving the way for all Pennsylvania elementary students to be scientists in the classroom. Science: It's Elementary provides inquiry-based science instruction in grades K through 6, intensive teacher training, coaching, professional development and fully stocked science kits so that every child in the classroom can experience hands-on learning.

In the 2006-2007 school year:

• 74 elementary schools across 68 districts are participating.
• 1,368 teachers have received intensive training and professional development in how to transform their science instruction for elementary school-aged children.
• Almost 37,000 K-8 students will benefit from better science instruction, a stronger science curriculum and hands-on work that is engaging and fun.

In order to achieve full success in Science: It's Elementary there are four Standards-Based Curriculum Materials…

• Aligned with national and state science education standards
• Developed using a rigorous research and development process
• Assessed and reviewed by master teachers, scientists and engineers
• Enable students to apply newly learned concepts and skills to their everyday lives

To improve the learning and teaching of science, support and partnerships from the following are a necessity:

• Parents
• Community members
• School districts
• Academic institutions
• Foundations
• Legislators
• Corporations

Building on Success

In 2007-08, Governor Rendell is expanding access to this innovative and proven science program with $15 million - a 50% increase - adding up to 85 more schools to the 74 that are already participating.

The 2007-08 expansion will train 1,660 more elementary science teachers to benefit 49,800 additional students. By 2007-08, over 90,000 elementary students will have benefited from enhanced science education through Science: It's Elementary. Pennsylvania fully expects these students to be better prepared for the rigorous statewide PSSA science assessments that will first be administered in 2007-08.

For more information, please visit http://www.pde.state.pa.us/.