How One School District Teaches Elementary School Kids to Love Science

As the often-quoted saying goes, "Give a man a fish, and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and feed him for a lifetime." That's the case with a new initiative in one Florida school system, where students are developing a new love for science through hands-on laboratory experiments made possible in part through funding of new in-school labs. As this Tampa Bay Times article explains, in Pinellas County, FL, state funding has provided for the creation of an on-campus science lab in all elementary schools in the area. Although pressures to remain competitive in growing science and math fields no doubt played a role, the focus was largely set on creating opportunities for students to practice science in real-world applications, to further a love of learning, and also increase student achievement.   As the article points out, student learning objectives in these new science labs are being driven by past performance - for example, 5th grade students demonstrated weaknesses with respect to knowledge about rocks and minerals on recent state testing, so lab experiments focused on weathering and erosion for that grade level this year. While leaders of the science lab initiative hope to generate a new love of science for these students, long-term goals of creating more scientists, engineers, and the like are also noted as long-term goals.   To see the full article visit, http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/Love-of-science-is-the-goal-now-that-every-Pinellas-elementary-school-has-a-lab_163603698. If you have a budding scientist who needs help, or wants to develop better science or math skills, call 800-434-2582 or find your local Club Z! Tutoring online.