A science program launched last year for elementary students in 68 school districts in the state, including many from the Johnstown region, is being hailed as a success.
State Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak lauded the program last week during a briefing with educators and community representatives in Pittsburgh.
Zahorchak said the program, “Science: It’s Elementary,” showed impressive gains on post-test comparisons and improved students’ understanding of science concepts.
A Pittsburgh-based nonprofit organization, Achieving Student Success through Excellence in Teaching Inc., Asset, designed and coordinated the project with the education department.
“We are very encouraged by the student achievement gains after engaging in just one science unit through ‘Science: It’s Elementary,’ ” Zahorchak said.
“It is absolutely vital that we provide Pennsylvania’s students with opportunities to learn science by doing science. Through this hands-on, minds-on science program, students ask questions, conduct investigations, record their learning in science notebooks, and apply what they learn to the world around them.”
Reeny Davison, executive director of Asset Inc., said at the briefing that in order to help teachers learn how to teach science using a student-centered, inquiry approach, teachers need ongoing, rigorous, professional development on the science content and teaching strategies that align with state and national science education standards.
Through a $13.5 million appropriation in the 2007-08 state budget, the education department is partnering with Asset to improve science education in elementary schools statewide.
This year, the initiative is providing 2,600 teachers with the professional development required to help them teach the science program to about 59,000 students in 121 school districts.
Asset, established in 1994 by the Bayer Corp. and several community partners, received substantial funding from the National Science Foundation for the science program.
Area participants
Cambria County.
Blacklick Valley, Blacklick Valley Elementary School.
Cambria Heights, Cambria Heights Elementary.
Central Cambria, Cambria Elementary.
Conemaugh Valley, Conemaugh Valley Elementary.
Forest Hills, Forest Hills Elementary.
Greater Johnstown, East Side Elementary.
Northern Cambria, Northern Cambria Elementary.
Portage Area, Portage Area Elementary/Middle.
Westmont Hilltop, Westmont Hilltop Elementary.
Somerset County.
Berlin Brothersvalley, Berlin Brothersvalley Elementary.
Bedford County.
Bedford Area, Bedford Elementary School.
Tussey Mountain, Defiance Elementary.
Indiana County.
Homer-Center, Homer-Center Elementary.
Marion Center Area, W.A. McCreery Middle School.
Local News
Zahorchak lauds success of school science program
- Local News
-
-
Highlights of Gov. Corbett's Marcellus Shale spending plan
Read on to see a bulleted list of Gov. Tom Corbett’s $27.1 billion state spending plan for the year that starts July 1.
-
Pa. gas drilling fee bill debate ends without vote
Pennsylvania, the only major gas-producing state that does not tax the taking of natural gas from its soil, moved closer Tuesday to imposing a fee on the drilling in the vast Marcellus Shale reserves that have transformed the state in recent years.
-
Blogging with heart
I've got so much stuff for this Sunday's American Heart Month package, that some of the stories will spill over onto Monday. But I don't know what to leave out, or hold for the next week, so it looks like a double hit this week.
-
$27.1B budget proposed
Gov. Tom Corbett on Tuesday proposed a budget of $27.1 billion, with no tax increases, deep cuts to higher education assistance and a range of cost-cutting in services for the poor, elderly and disabled.
-
Universities face steep cuts
State universities still trying to recover from deep cuts last year would have their public funding slashed even further under a budget plan unveiled Tuesday, leading some institutions to warn of a choice between maintaining buildings and offering academic programs students need to graduate.
-
Plan hurts middle class, local Democrats contend
While members of his own party praised Gov. Tom Corbett’s fiscal restraint, some local Democratic lawmakers said the Republican’s proposed budget panders to corporate interests while inflicting pain on the middle class.
-
Detour hurting some Portage businesses
Craig Mazzarese’s business depends heavily on drive-by customers, but since last week fewer drive-bys have been stopping
-
Local airport funding intact
Airport leaders here are breathing sighs of relief after Congress approved funding to support local commercial air service through 2015.
-
With state revenue tight, Westmont seeks school budget input
The Westmont Hilltop school board on Tuesday night held a public forum at the middle school to explain why the district, already one of the most efficient in the state, must raise taxes each year.
-
In brief: Commissioners plan to meet at schools
Cambria County’s three new commissioners, carrying out plans to take meetings into communities, have scheduled five of their meetings this year in high school auditoriums throughout the county.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
