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Challenge: 70 % of OUSD 5th graders score poorly in science.

Science Horizons partners with schools and informal science centers to provide science enrichment programs to low-income, predominantly minority students in grades K-12. These programs include field trips, camps, and presentations that reinforce classroom instruction, provide additional hands-on experience, expose students to careers in science and build excitement in learning science.

Recognizing the importance of adequate preparation for a successful camp, the director, a seasoned science teacher, designed an introductory curriculum in the fundamentals of natural science to help the students grasp the concepts taught at the camp. This curriculum is a prerequisite for camp attendance. Upon return to school, the director works with school faculty and students to develop environmental school projects to encourage the students to apply their newfound knowledge toward improving the environment.

The first unit of the Science Horizons program is the outdoor education camp.  This three- or four-day camp engages 5th graders in activities related to California State Science Standards for life science, earth science, and environmental science. The curriculum begins with pre-camp classroom lessons and ends with a follow-up lesson in which the students choose an environmental project to showcase their mastery of science.

Future units may include classroom support for teachers, camps for middle and high school students, after school science programs, school gardens, career exploration, and collaboration projects with local informal science centers (museums, zoos, regional parks, etc.)

Program Director: Norman Brooks has an extensive background in education including Site Support Teacher for LITES (Leadership Institute for Teaching Elementary Science –Mills College); Site Support Teacher for SKILL (Science Knowledge through Inquiry and Language and Literacy –UC Berkeley-Lawrence Hall of Science); Adjunct Instructor, Holy Names and San Francisco Universities (Teach Science Curriculum and Methods courses for the teacher credentialing program).

OUTCOME:  The program will improve academic performance, give students a unique hands-on learning experience of the natural sciences, and promote good stewardship of the environment. 

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