Constructing Science: Materials and Activities for Kindergarten and First-Grade

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Constructing Science: Materials and Activities for kindergarten and First grade will use a collaboration of classroom teachers, science educators, university psychology and education researchers, and university scientists to develop, implement, evaluate and disseminate on a national basis model sets of instructional methods and materials for the active engagement of kindergarten and first-grade children in science learning and exploration. This process for curriculum development has been successfully piloted through a colloquium series initiated by the Citizens' Committee for Public Education in Philadelphia and facilitated by directors of PENNlincs with funding from PATHS/PRISM, ARCO and the Institute for Research in Cognitive Science, U of P. The proposed program will improve the quality of science education and at the same time ensure that more time is spent on science education in kindergarten. This project will bring developmentally appropriate science content and science processes to primary grade children in such a way (a) that scientists, educators and parents will be assured that children are truly learning important science concepts and processes, (b) that the methods have applicability to the realities of classrooms, and (c) that children's initial school experiences in science are rich and that children gain positive attitudes, motivation and vocabulary that will serve as a strong foundation for more formal science study. The methods will enhance any science curriculum available or under development.