Science labs and technology labs are currently included in the curriculum at OCPS elementary schools, but are being removed from the curriculum in the 2015-2016 school year.
In the position paper, “The Integral Role of Laboratory Investigations in Science Instruction,” the National Science Teachers Association states, “For science to be taught properly and effectively, labs must be an integral part of the science curriculum.”
OCPS has repeatedly emphasized the need for STEM programs in all levels of schooling.
Superintendent Barbara Jenkins states the importance of STEM programs in a recent editorial: “STEM-related careers are quite promising for Orange County Public Schools students. Predictions are that 75 percent of the future job market will be in STEM fields and that within the next three years, in Florida alone, there will be more than 400,000 STEM related jobs to fill. STEM majors will bring home $500,000 more in salary over a lifetime than non-STEM majors, according to one report. We want to see OCPS graduates fill many of those jobs and earn those salaries. In OCPS, we integrate STEM programs throughout our K-12 curriculum, inviting even our youngest students to engage in STEM projects.”
Discontinuing science labs and technology labs at the elementary school level is directly opposite of these goals, and therefore, we are asking that science and technology labs be continued at the elementary school level.
Updates
March 19, 2015
I have been reading your stories about how these labs sparked a genuine love for discovery in your own children. My own child comes home every single day buzzing with excitement about what they explored in the science lab. We are currently compiling your experiences to demonstrate exactly what is at stake if the district moves forward with these cuts.
March 19, 2015
Seeing this kind of energy for our kids' labs is overwhelming. It proves that so many of us refuse to let these vital learning spaces disappear from our elementary schools.
18 Comments
This type of hands on education is essential at all levels and is necessary for children to develop their interest in science related fields. What a terrible thing if this learning opportunity gets taken away aand replaced with something less hands on- like test prep!
A great STEM curriculum is extremely important not just for STEM careers, but for problem-solving in general.
Some things you need to experience hands on before you can fully understand them. Science labs are an essential part of the education, not just a fun experience! You cannot teach P.E. online either
science labs are one of the best tools to transform a concept into a reality that the child can interact to, making the learning process through and complete.
STEM education not only increases a child's understanding of the world around them, but also develops critical thinking skills necessary for problem solving. It is vital that we provide our children with this opportunity.
Please do not take this learning opportunity away.
keep science lab.
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Science labs and technology labs are currently included in the curriculum at OCPS elementary schools, but are being removed from the curriculum in the 2015-2016 school year.
In the position paper, “The Integral Role of Laboratory Investigations in Science Instruction,” the National Science Teachers Association states, “For science to be taught properly and effectively, labs must be an integral part of the science curriculum.”
OCPS has repeatedly emphasized the need for STEM programs in all levels of schooling.
Superintendent Barbara Jenkins states the importance of STEM programs in a recent editorial: “STEM-related careers are quite promising for Orange County Public Schools students. Predictions are that 75 percent of the future job market will be in STEM fields and that within the next three years, in Florida alone, there will be more than 400,000 STEM related jobs to fill. STEM majors will bring home $500,000 more in salary over a lifetime than non-STEM majors, according to one report. We want to see OCPS graduates fill many of those jobs and earn those salaries. In OCPS, we integrate STEM programs throughout our K-12 curriculum, inviting even our youngest students to engage in STEM projects.”
Discontinuing science labs and technology labs at the elementary school level is directly opposite of these goals, and therefore, we are asking that science and technology labs be continued at the elementary school level.
Updates
March 19, 2015
I have been reading your stories about how these labs sparked a genuine love for discovery in your own children. My own child comes home every single day buzzing with excitement about what they explored in the science lab. We are currently compiling your experiences to demonstrate exactly what is at stake if the district moves forward with these cuts.
March 19, 2015
Seeing this kind of energy for our kids' labs is overwhelming. It proves that so many of us refuse to let these vital learning spaces disappear from our elementary schools.
18 Comments
Science labs are great tools for our kids to enhance their learning.so please keep the science labs in Ocps.
This type of hands on education is essential at all levels and is necessary for children to develop their interest in science related fields. What a terrible thing if this learning opportunity gets taken away aand replaced with something less hands on- like test prep!
A great STEM curriculum is extremely important not just for STEM careers, but for problem-solving in general.
Some things you need to experience hands on before you can fully understand them. Science labs are an essential part of the education, not just a fun experience! You cannot teach P.E. online either
science labs are one of the best tools to transform a concept into a reality that the child can interact to, making the learning process through and complete.
STEM education not only increases a child's understanding of the world around them, but also develops critical thinking skills necessary for problem solving. It is vital that we provide our children with this opportunity.
Please do not take this learning opportunity away.
keep science lab.
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Science labs are great tools for our kids to enhance their learning.so please keep the science labs in Ocps.