Green in Action Runner Up
Jefferson Elementary School
New Rochelle, New York
"Making Science Meaningful For All" explored different ways Science can reach people.
It looked at Third Grade Science by reviewing standards, planning activities, studying materials, and observing teachers' work. Throughout the process teachers spoke about their experiences and revised their science practices. Teachers also spent time understanding how everything is linked to their past work and interests. Much of the work was inspired by sustainability.
Grade 3 teachers encouraged students to consider the past, the present, and future for caring for living things and studying changes in plants. All of these concepts were solidified through learning activities such as growing plants in the classroom and gardening in the school garden.
Students and teachers began to look at the bigger picture of what being an Earth citizen was by answering: What does Science mean to me? How do I fit in the bigger picture? How does everything work together?
The process made individuals realize learning about Science is not a yearlong project, but more so a lifelong adventure.