How to Bring a Science Lab to Your Elementary School

1. How to Bring a Science Labto Your Elementary School Presented by Dr. Christina Palmer, Maple Elementary Virginia Owens and Stephanie Farris

2. 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?”

3. 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

4. Goals • Encourage teachers to engage regularly in science instruction • Increased access to interactive, hands-on program • Promote / encourage parent involvement

5. 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??

6. Refining Our Vision… • Location • Curriculum • Staffing • Fundraising and Community Collaboration

7. Location • Where to house our new lab • School amalgamation • Receiving former Manzanita students • Expected addition of portable

8. 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

9. Staffing • Staff Input • Considered Credentialed Science Teacher • Teachers enjoy teaching Science • Stakeholder Meetings • Discussion • Problem solving • Teacher awareness and enthusiasm

10. 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

11. 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

13. Behind the Scenes • Inventory • What do we have • What do we need • Resources maximized (*money saved*)

14. Organization • Storage design • Challenges • Management

15. 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)

16. 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

17. Science Library • Instructional funds • Sage Grant • Donations

18. Work / Efforts to Date • Meetings • Dreaming / Discussion / Decisions • Trainings • Parent Volunteers • Teachers • Training First Elementary School To Have Onsite Science Lab • Students / Introductory Lab Lessons • Students in MARS in October 2009! • Dedication / Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

19. Forward Thinking • Continued grant writing • Secondary helpers • Special activities • Keep dreaming…

20. Hands on, Minds engaged…Hearts inspired

21. Thank You!!