posted by:
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George Hein
on May 19, 2003
at 10:21AM
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subject:
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Is science taught?
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Elaine, I don’t disagree that, "Since I can remember, science was seen as something for only a few and even a subject for nerdy types." But who is it that sees science this way?
It certainly wasn’t the developers of the first wave of elementary science materials, that is SCIS, ESS and SAPA . I can remember going to lots of classrooms of all types in Berkeley and Oakland where SCIS was developed and popular with children and teachers, the same was true for the extensive development of ESS in, for example, Washington DC classrooms. . Similarly, later curriculum and professional development efforts have attempted to reach a wide range of classrooms, including all socio-economic sectors. Whatever the reasons for getting inquiry science to all children, I don’t think it was because the programs weren’t appropriate for everyone.
The question for the LSC legacy is whether inquiry science in elementary classrooms is seen by school districts as a necessary, appropriate and worthwhile subject for ALL children. When I read the posters, I realize how strong the factors are that mitigate against this happening.
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