Science education to be required in elementary schools in Oakland, Calif.

[Newsjock]

Source: Oakland Tribune

Last week, the Oakland school district became one of the first in California to require elementary schools to teach science for at least 60 to 90 minutes a week. It might sound like a modest proposal, but it could be a boon for a subject that's often treated as optional in the lower grades — even in the high-tech Bay Area — because of a narrow focus on the 3Rs.

"Making time and space for science is sometimes a revolutionary act," Oakland Superintendent Tony Smith said during "Dinner with a Scientist" at the Oakland Zoo, an invitation-only event where enthusiastic students are exposed to careers in the field.

... In 2007, the Oakland school district invested in a $1.2 million hands-on science curriculum from the Lawrence Hall of Science and hired Caleb Cheung, a middle school science teacher, to promote science instruction. Cheung and his SMART Team (which raises live organisms for classroom experiments in a "Critter Room") won state grants and support from foundations. They delivered grade level-specific earth, life or physical science kits to schools each trimester, and trained teachers to use them.

But in a 2009 survey, Cheung found the average Oakland elementary school teacher still spent less than 30 minutes a week on the subject, and some skipped the subject altogether. The biggest obstacle teachers cited? A lack of time.

Read more: http://www.insidebayarea.com/twitter/ci_15229654

[XemaSab]

1. I had "science" in two elementary schools in Oakland

Don't hold your breath for it to be anything remotely enriching.

[Angry Dragon]

2. Still better than Texass

[Luminous Animal]

3. You are right. The district should give up because YOU had a bad experience.

[XemaSab]

7. I had three bad experiences, as it so happens

I think the keenest thing W ever said was "the soft bigotry of low expectations."

You want to see that in action, go to the Oakland public schools and see 6th graders who can't read.

[The Straight Story]

4. My daughter is homeschooled, just finished 3rd grade, and had a full year of science (nt)

[Mojeoux]

5. Hurray for Science!

Science is COOL!


:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[marmar]

6. You mean they won't be teaching this:

[The Midway Rebel]

8. Hooray for science education!

And hopefully, jobs for science educators.

[jasmeel]

9. I had no idea it was optional! How sad! n/t