The intent of this project was not only to improve the level of science instruction in all the schools in the county, but also to serve as a model for other counties and school districts. The type of learning in this setting is both active and kinesthetic as is suggested in the National Science Education Standards. This kind of learning allows students much more flexibility in meeting individual learner goals. Thus a better facilitation of authentic learning and evaluation. The need to improve science instruction is not limited to schools in Rowan County.
Science is often the lowest of the categories tested.
Deliver to twenty teachers a one week, aquatic, biological, botanical, and geological environmental education workshop with three days of follow-up workshops at an Environmental Learning Center located at a public school facility. Teachers will be trained in basic skills for locating materials, constructing inexpensive equipment, and sharing workshop knowledge with others in their school district. Elementary school students will actively participate in environmental education as evidenced by successful completion of field trips to the teacher workshop training site. The Rowan County School District with assistance from cooperating agencies will revitalize and sustain a natural facility located on the grounds of a public school for the use of teachers and students within Rowan County. This facility will serve as a model environmental classroom for teachers within the state of Kentucky and others having access from Ohio, West Virginia, etc.