A parent run science program at Mountain A parent run science program at Mountain Park ElementaryPark Elementary

May 14, 2009

AgendaAgendaOverview of Science on a Cart (SOC)Overview of Science on a Cart (SOC)

History of SOCHistory of SOC

Current Status of SOCCurrent Status of SOC

Roles Roles

My RoleMy Role

ExperimentsExperiments

Future of SOC ProgramFuture of SOC Program

Overview of SOCOverview of SOCUnique parent-driven science program Unique parent-driven science program

Collaborative effort between parents, Collaborative effort between parents, teachers and administrationteachers and administration

SOC experiments correlate with SOC experiments correlate with classroom science lessonsclassroom science lessons

History of SOCHistory of SOCEvolved in response to a lack of space Evolved in response to a lack of space for science experiments about 10 years for science experiments about 10 years agoago

Parents wanted more hands-on science Parents wanted more hands-on science activity to supplement reading and activity to supplement reading and teaching of subjectsteaching of subjects

Budget was set at $150 per month ($50 Budget was set at $150 per month ($50 per grade) based on past years per grade) based on past years

Current Status of Current Status of SOCSOC

Program revamped this year Program revamped this year Experiments needed to be “refreshed” and Experiments needed to be “refreshed” and better follow lessons after years of status quobetter follow lessons after years of status quo

New Principal interested in programNew Principal interested in program

Georgia Tech scientist / parent stepped up with Georgia Tech scientist / parent stepped up with ideasideas

Teacher received grant from EmoryTeacher received grant from Emory

Parent willing to coordinate efforts Parent willing to coordinate efforts

First, Second and Third grades have one First, Second and Third grades have one experiment once a month for 5 months experiment once a month for 5 months (September, October, January, February, (September, October, January, February, March)March)

Roles Roles School Curriculum Support TeacherSchool Curriculum Support Teacher

PTA Curriculum ChairPTA Curriculum Chair

Overall SOC CoordinatorOverall SOC Coordinator

Grade-level CoordinatorsGrade-level Coordinators

Parent VolunteersParent Volunteers

My RoleMy RoleOverall SOC CoordinatorOverall SOC Coordinator

Edited lessons Edited lessons

Worked with school administrator to ensure Worked with school administrator to ensure lessons met GA performance standardslessons met GA performance standards

Purchased suppliesPurchased supplies

Setup cartsSetup carts

Communicated with grade-level parent Communicated with grade-level parent volunteersvolunteers

Trained parent volunteersTrained parent volunteers

Stepped in to do lesson when parent no-Stepped in to do lesson when parent no-showshow

Experiments Experiments First Grade:First Grade:

Cloud in a bottle, Light / Shadows, Cloud in a bottle, Light / Shadows, Sound, Dental Health, PollinationSound, Dental Health, Pollination

Second Grade:Second Grade:Astronomy, Germs, Matter, Light, Astronomy, Germs, Matter, Light, NutritionNutrition

Third Grade:Third Grade:Magnets, Rocks, Habitats, HeatMagnets, Rocks, Habitats, Heat

Future of SOC Future of SOC ProgramProgram

Continue to use this year’s experiments Continue to use this year’s experiments for First, Second and Third gradesfor First, Second and Third grades

Add Kindergarten and Fourth Grades Add Kindergarten and Fourth Grades experiments – entirely newexperiments – entirely new

Add a coordinator for each grade Add a coordinator for each grade instead of one overall coordinatorinstead of one overall coordinator

SummarySummaryWell-regarded program that kids love!Well-regarded program that kids love!

““Science on a cart is my favorite science Science on a cart is my favorite science lesson of the month”lesson of the month”

Teachers in other grades are asking for itTeachers in other grades are asking for it

Needs to continue to evolve to best suit Needs to continue to evolve to best suit the science curriculumthe science curriculum