The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation has made a profound impact on our science program in grades K-6. All fourteen teachers have been trained on three to four hands-on science units. The training covered specific California standards taught at their grade level as well as inquiry-based learning methodology. Since we began Beckman science in our school close to 800 children have been impacted by this program. 18 teachers have been trained on 23 units since inception.

Why did the Beckman program make such an impact? Traditionally, elementary teachers do not have a strong science background. They have been trained to teach a wide range of subjects. Our class sizes are large, adding another element of difficulty. These two factors moved us toward text-book driven science lessons-excellent for learning the vocabulary of science but lower on development of critical reasoning skills.

Previous to Beckman@Science, we relied heavily on high quality science field trips and assemblies offered by the Orange County Department of Education, Dana Point Marine Institute and local science museums to provide science hands-on experiences for students in grades K-6. Now we have evolved to the use of two science kits per grade level in addition to these field trips and assemblies.

Our Junior High science program has always been strong. Historically, the teachers have been qualified science teachers and weekly science labs the norm. Our students perform well in county and state Science Fair competitions. However, students often found science difficult in the seventh grade. We have noticed that since introducing the inquiry-based science units in K-6, students are more prepared for the critical thinking needed for 7th grade lab science. Next year, the students entering our Junior High science program will have four years of Beckman@Science lessons. I

It is clear to us that frequent inquiry-based science units develop necessary critical thinking skills that translate across all areas of the curriculum. It is equally evident that hands-on science provides greater opportunity for authentic assessment and allows all children in the classroom to achieve success. It is our plan to continue the Beckman@Science program since it has the components needed to make an inquiry-based program sustainable.

SBS is moving toward the goal of three inquiry-based science units taught each year. Beckman@Science monthly meetings for District Coordinators have allowed us to develop a relationship with the Westminister/Fountain Valley/Huntington Beach Public School Consortium and the Newport-Mesa Unified School District for continued training. We are gathering a broader spectrum of community support via community partners and grant foundations. Thanks to the Arnold and Mabel Foundation for providing the springboard to science success!