How to Bring a Science Labto Your Elementary School

Presented by Dr. Christina Palmer, Maple ElementaryVirginia Owens and Stephanie Farris

How Did It Start

• New PFA President and new Principal meet• A key question was asked…

“What mark do you want to leave at Maple?”

“What mark do you want to leave at Maple?”

Big Dreams

• Inspire a love of science among students

• Promote science learning by making it easy to access and use

• Any “lab” will do– Doesn’t need its own room

Goals

• Encourage teachers to engage regularly in science instruction

• Increased access to interactive, hands-on program

• Promote / encourage parent involvement

Where Do We Go From Here

• Buy In– Leadership Team– Teaching staff as a whole

• Considered credentialed Science Teacher• Teachers enjoy teaching science

– Parent Groups• Ideas shared• Interest??

Refining Our Vision…

• Location

• Curriculum

• Staffing

• Fundraising and Community Collaboration

Location

• Where to house our new lab

• School amalgamation– Receiving former Manzanita students

• Expected addition of portable

Curriculum

• FOSS– State approved– District adopted– Standards based

• Fiscally Responsible– Existing science curriculum– Teachers trained

• Initial adoption training

• Hands on Curriculum• Practical application of science concepts

Staffing

• Staff Input– Considered Credentialed Science Teacher– Teachers enjoy teaching Science

• Stakeholder Meetings– Discussion – Problem solving – Teacher awareness and enthusiasm

Fundraising and Community Collaboration

• Community Collaboration– Donations / Grants

• Parents• Amgen, Areté, and others• Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne• Sage Publications• Keith A. Robertson, M.D.• Hanson Labs• *Conejo Schools Foundation*

– Other• Great Harvest Bread Company

Creating and Maintaining Excitement

• Great Harvest Bread Company– Local contest winner!

• Back to School Night– Set up “mock lab”– Opportunities highlighted

• Volunteer sheets• Monetary donations• Wish list

• Lab Naming Contest

Behind the Scenes

• Inventory– What do we have– What do we need– Resources maximized (*money saved*)

Organization

• Storage design– Challenges– Management

Nuts and Bolts

• Parent Involvement– Parent Meetings– Lab set up / tear down– Module exchange

• The Lab– Establish layout / design needs– Purchases / Donations / Grants

• Tables / Storage Materials / Furniture / Cabinets• High Tech Document Camera (Student Council)

Every Maple Student Enjoys the Lab

• Weekly visits for all Jr. kindergarten – 5th

• General Education• Special Education

– Inclusion, SAI classes

• Inclusion or with SAI classmates

Science Library

• Instructional funds

• Sage Grant

• Donations

Work / Efforts to Date

• Meetings– Dreaming / Discussion /

Decisions

• Trainings– Parent Volunteers

• Teachers– Training

First ElementarySchool To Have

Onsite Science Lab

First ElementarySchool To Have

Onsite Science Lab

• Students / Introductory Lab Lessons• Students in MARS in October 2009!• Dedication / Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Forward Thinking

• Continued grant writing

• Secondary helpers

• Special activities

• Keep dreaming…

Hands on, Minds engaged…Hearts inspired

Thank You!!