Linntown School Gets Inquiry-Based Science Kits
In January 2011, the Green Dragon Foundation presented a gift of $100,000 to
the Lewisburg Area School District. Part of that gift included $34,000 to fund Linntown Intermediate School’s Inquiry Based Science Program.
Representatives from the Green Dragon Foundation recently visited Linntown and saw first-hand how the Foundation’s donation was enriching the educational opportunities for its 4th and 5th grade students.
According to Ms. Paula Reber, Linntown principal, “All of the school’s three hundred + students participate in science instruction every other day. Last year, the Pennsylvania Department of Education revised the state standards for science and technology. Our teachers worked to rewrite the science curriculum to reflect these new learning standards. The new curriculum incorporates a great deal of inquiry-based science activities.”
She continues, “Linntown teachers worked collaboratively to design their own inquiry-based science units to match the recently revised curriculum. By learning through inquiry, students are able to think like scientists by observing, questioning, hypothesizing, predicting, investigating, interpreting, and communicating. This allows students to use higher-level thinking skills and master content with a deeper level of understanding.”
The day of the visit, Mrs. Wendy Hummel was teaching a lesson to her 5th grade students. The students were learning how to map using school yard models. According to Mrs. Hummel “These landforms kits are used by the teachers to help meet the state standards.” She continues, “Inquiry-Based Science allows the students to construct ideas through inquiries about a topic and then reflecting on what they learned. Most of it is ‘hands-on’ but the students are also required to write responses, helping them to analyze what they have learned.” She finishes, “Initially the students make a prediction about a problem and then they test it.” On this particular day, the students were mapping their school yard from a “bird’s eye view”.
When asked what the science kits have meant to her and her students, Mrs. Hummel explained that the science kits provide a meaningful science experience for every student. “It is no longer just the teacher lecturing and the students writing. These students are experiencing science in a “hands-on” way, which allows them to discover important science concepts through investigations. It helps students conquer their fear of science and might just foster a love for the subject!”
Mrs. Reber states, “This grant from the Green Dragon Foundation is saving our science program. I honestly don’t know what we would have done without it. Thank you!”
According to Brooks Gronlund, Green Dragon Foundation president, “the Foundation is delighted to be able to provide funding for programs such as this.” He continues, “What a difference our donation is making for these young learners.”
The Green Dragon Foundation is seeking additional support to continue funding exciting initiatives such as this. Individuals or businesses wishing to volunteer or donate can donate on this site or call the Foundation office at (570) 522-8433.