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Curriculum Team
The Science Programs of the School District are anchored in an inquiry approach to science learning. Students participate in hands-on investigations in order to develop a deeper understanding of science concepts.
Science instruction is guided by the South Carolina Science Standards. All district curricula are aligned with the SC standards which are tested through the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests in grades 3-8. A state developed End of Course Test in Physical Science is administered to all students taking Physical Science. Beginning with the freshman class of 2006-2007 all students will be required to pass a Physical Science Class in order to graduate.
Elementary Science
The district's elementary science program has been nationally recognized by the National Science Resources Center (Smithsonian Institution). This program provides all teachers in Grades K-5 with standards based instructional units four times a year. Teachers have all the materials and equipment they need to teach hands-on inquiry science effectively.
Students in elementary grades conduct scientific investigations to learn science concepts and processes. The science kits are refurbished four times a year by the Science Materials Center staff. The materials center is housed at the Sullivan Center and the staff processes approximately 6000 kits per year. The goal of the staff is to provide teachers will all the materials they need to teach science.
Even though a single kit is used by a minimum of 4 teachers a year, each teacher receives it in "new" condition because kits are refurbished after each use. The school district provides the funds to purchase new kits and refurbish existing ones.
Middle School Science
In Middle School the science curriculum uses an inquiry approach to science to teach students science concepts. In grades 6-8 students learn life, earth and physical sciences. In sixth grade the curriculum emphasizes physical science, in seventh--life science, and in 8th grade the earth-space sciences. Students have access to science laboratory facilities to conduct science investigations.
Additionally teachers use middle school science units developed by the National Academy of Sciences and the Smithsonian Institution to learn science concepts through inquiry methodologies. These units provide students with real world connections in which to apply science knowledge and skills.
High School Science
High School Students participate in a variety of science courses which include Physical science, biology, chemistry, and physics. The district offers a variety of Advanced Placement Courses in science that include: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Calculus-based Physics--Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, and Environmental Science.
The applied academic courses offered by the district include: Applied Biology, Chemistry for the Technologies, and Physics for the Technologies. A variety of electives are offered by all schools, some of these are Marine Science, Environmental Science, and Astronomy. All high schools provide students with high quality laboratory facilities in which to conduct scientific investigations.
Contacts
| Kyle Rollins K-12 Science Consultant krollins@greenville.k12.sc.us Phone: 355-8980 |
Science Materials Center |
|
Cindy Kerns, Clerk |
Butch Hadden, Clerk 355-5193 jhadden@greenville.k12.sc.us |
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