Establishing a New Science Laboratory Park Street Elementary school

Proposed by Corey W. Lawson & Brian D. Katz

Background We are a Title I and Provision II school. Demographically, PSE is approximately 58% Hispanic, 35% African American, 3% White and 4% two or more races or ethnicities. 90% of our students receive Free or Reduced Lunch and live on or below the national poverty rate. Science concepts, theories, and science exploration are not typically discussed or activated, and thus the students generally have insufficient or no background understanding of science and have huge difficulties or are unable to succeed in the area of science. Historic Data CRCT Science Scores

THE NEED Student Need: In order to develop a 21st century students who are scientifically aware, academically trained and technological savvy, the school wants to build a new, well equipped science lab and classroom. Teacher Need:

Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers

NEW SCIENCE LABORATORY At the moment, the science curriculum at PSE is delivered inconsistently through regular classroom with whole group, project-based hands-on experiences. The traditional structure of the individual classroom rooms make it difficult to disperse equipment to the pupils and almost impossible to allow direct access to material under observation. This kind of science teaching is no longer sufficient in today’s hi-tech world. To be effective physical, life and earth science

Comment [LC1]: How will the instructional model look? Add to specials or stand-alone class, will grades be given, etc.

content must now be taught through experimentation with individual and personal exploration. A new well-equipped science laboratory will allow students to conduct inquiry-based activities while accessing material in a direct way. The new lab will also allow for demonstrations and observations of processes that occur in nature. The Space The laboratory will be equipped with: •Display cases •Experiment preparation surfaces •Tables and chairs •Scientific library + nature movies in accordance with the subject •Teacher's podium that will enable children to view the demonstrations •Shades to darken the room •Greenhouse •Maps: wildlife, pets, animal classes, metamorphosis, •Terrarium • Aquarium area: Salt water / fresh water, and reptile • Storage units with lock and key system •Student lab desks and chairs •Double sink with hot and cold water (mobile or not) oven and microwave We will split the lab into two sections, K-2 & 3-5. We prefer a partitioned wall with a connecting door to go from room to room. One classroom sized space for each of the two sections. Access doors to an outside space will allow for often needed activities, experiments, observations, and resources. The actual physical room-scaping is to be determined as we are yet to know the location and or condition of the spaces that will be needed. The Cost Items for proposed PSE Science Learning Classes (PELC): Highlighted items prices have yet to be determined. The non-highlighted have been itemized and a total included at the bottom. Best quotes per company (25) hand-held microscopes 30X................................................DE/$9.95 (25) hand-held microscopes 100X..............................................DE/$13.95 (4) stream table erosion kit..........................................................DE/$46.00 (4) sorting sieves..........................................................................DE/$24.95 (4) plastic funnel, set of 3............................................................DE/$1.95st (4) plastic graduated cylinder complete set................................ DE/$10.60st (4) plastic beaker set...................................................................DE/$8.95st (2) glass beaker set......................................................................DE/$18.50st (6) evaporating dish....................................................................DE/$5.95 (4) partial immersion thermometer.............................................DE/$2.95ea (2) plastic medicine droppers, set of 12......................................DE/$2.50st (2) glass medicine droppers, set of 12.........................................DE/$2.50st

(4) student balances......................................................................DE/$29.95 (3) elementary microscope, classroom set of 10.........................ETA/$229.95st (1) Washington Set (minerals, etc.).............................................ETA/$51.95 (2) glass flask set..........................................................................ETA/$25.95st (6) cylinder brush.........................................................................ETA/$11.95ea (6) test tube brush.........................................................................ETA/$10.95ea (2) eyewash station.......................................................................ETA/$54.95 (1) emergency fire blanket............................................................ETA/$94.95 (6) hot plates/aluminum top………………………………NASCO/266.00 ea (2) economy mobile lab table.............................................NASCO/$1107.00ea (50) Sellstrom Sebring 400 safety glasses...........................NASCO/$1.50ea (2) base ten class set …………………………………………DE/74.95 ea (10) Place value to a million w/Unifix………………………DE/24.95 ea (4) Teaching number tiles with ………………………………DE/11.95st (1) Day/Night teacher clock set………………………………. DE/54.95st (1) Stopwatches Kit………………………………………………..DE/15.95st (4) K’Nex Elem. Math and Geometry Set…………………………DE/29.95ea (2) K’Nex Teacher’s Guide………………………………………..DE/23.95ea (1) Geoboards Set……….…………………………………………DE/55.95ea (1) Hands on Equations Set………………………………………DE/280.95 ea (3) Basic Calculator Set…………………………………………..DE/89.50 ea (1) professional grade telescope (3) aquarium (2) “poop” kits (1) laptop cart stocked Est. cost_____$20,000_______________________ Est cost for consumable items-$___1,000_____: plastic bins w/ lids, assorted sizes labels fire extinguisher biohazard container first aid kit sharps container tweezers gloves aprons clipboards 

Estimate of consumable miscellaneous start up supplies for experiments-$_5,000____:

cotton balls plastic spoons measuring spoons paper plates plastic cups markers

crayons rulers magnifying glasses clay baking soda vinegar

sugar salt rubbing alcohol hydrogen peroxide plastic combs balloons straws coffee stirrers toothpicks plastic bowls flour paper towels napkins trash bags construction paper scissors yarn fishing line twine

paper clips nails hammers food coloring vegetable oil assorted containers with lids ink pads glue glue sticks coffee filters sand gravel seeds, assorted cotton swabs tape: masking, scotch, duct, etc. graphing paper sand tweezers

 Estimated costs for construction ________$15,000___________________ Plumbing……………………………………………………… Cabinets & fixtures……………………………………………. Lighting………………………………………………………… Shelving………………………………………………………..  Est costs for guest presenters _____$10,000___________________ Guests speakers will expertise in Georgia performance standard areas. Time Line for Completion Stages of progression Stage 1:……………………Conduct site visits, draft proposal Spring 2015 Stage 2:…………………….Survey staff and students-50% participation/80% agreement required Stage 3:…………………….Present draft to PSE S.G.T. for school based approval Spring 2015 Stage 4:…………………….Acquire estimates for construction Fall 2015 Stage 5:…………………….Connect with past, current, & potential partners On-going Stage 6:…………………….SGT Recommendation to BOE Spring 2015 Stage 7:…………………….Begin work / order supplies if approved by BOE Fall 2015 Stage 8:…………………….Classes begin

Comment [LC2]: Rethink this expenditure