Posted on April 23, 2001 at 1:15 p.m.
BIRMINGHAM, AL — Science classes in 11 Alabama school districts may be in for some big changes. That’s because educators and school administrators from those 11 districts will meet in April to come up with a plan for creating new science programs that let children in grades K-8 spend more time testing out scientific theories instead of just reading about them.
The Alabama Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER) K-8 Science Education Strategic Planning Institute will be held Sunday, April 29, through Friday, May 4, at the Sheraton Birmingham, 2101 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard.
Experts say hands-on science programs are important because they help students develop a conceptual understanding of the natural world, critical thinking skills and scientific habits of the mind, including curiosity, respect for evidence and flexibility of perspective.
So during the six-day seminar in Birmingham, representatives from each school district, or team, will try their own hands at conducting science experiments. They will then develop strategic plans to reform K-8 science education curricula in their respective school districts in collaboration with nationally recognized experts and members of other teams. Individual teams will include a scientist from a corporation, college or university or federal research facility. Each scientist will work with their team to develop community support for science education reform.
School districts participating in the seminar are Alabama School for the Deaf, Auburn City, Diocese of Birmingham Catholic Schools, Eufaula City, Dothan City, Lowndes County, Mobile County, Selma City, Sumter County, Talladega County and Tuscaloosa City schools.
LASER is a nationwide initiative created by the National Science Resources Center (NSRC). The NSRC, operated by the Smithsonian Institute, along with other LASER partnerships, offers school districts a range of programs, products and services for initiating hands-on science programs. The Alabama LASER partnership is headed by faculty in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Education, which is hosting the seminar.
For more information, call Lee Meadows, Ph.D., at (205) 934-8371.