9453938 Schatz Three rural school districts Riverview, Skykomish and Snoqualmie Valley in conjunction with the Pacific Science Center will cooperatively change how science is taught at the elementary level in the schools. The project will prepare each district to develop a new vision for elementary science curriculum establish mechanisms to implement and sustain the vision provide staff development to all elementary teachers as a beginning to implement the vision. Through extensive staff development 30 teachers, called STAFF leaders, together with 10 administrators will become leaders in their districts. These STAFF leaders with the involvement of the entire teaching staff and the community, utilizing the best in quality science education will develop comprehensive K-5 curricula that reflects current research and national standards. The leaders will provide 40 hours of science education staff development to each district's entire elementary teaching staff, a total of 193 teachers. This 40 hours provides just the beginning, as districts have committed to developing ongoing support for both staff development and materials management. The goal is to provide all teachers with a minimum 153 hours of professional development. Principals and administrators will receive 121 hours and parents 32 hours. The request is for $669,100 of NSF support with cost share estimated at $1,004,576.
