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Home : TEACHING & LEARNING : Elementary (K-5) : Hands on Science : Hands on Science

Hands on Science

The Science Programs of Oswego District 308 are anchored in an inquiry approach to science learning. Students participate in hands-on investigations in order to develop a deeper understanding of science concepts.

Science instruction is guided by the Illinois Science Goals and Standards. All district curricula are aligned with the IL standards which are tested through the ISAT tests grades 4 and 7.

Elementary Science
The district's elementary science program provides all teachers in Grades K-5 with standards based instructional units four times a year. Teachers have all the materials and equipment they need to teach hands-on inquiry science effectively. The units provided to each grade level are listed below.

Students in elementary grades conduct scientific investigations to learn science concepts and processes. The science kits are refurbished four times a year by the Hands On Science staff. The materials center is housed at Thompson Junior High and the staff processes over 300 kits four times a year. The goal of the staff is to provide teachers will all the materials they need to teach science.

Even though a single kit is used by a minimum of 4 teachers a year, each teacher receives it in "new" condition because refurbishment by the Hands On Science staff. District 308 provides the funds to refurbish each unit.

	Concepts and Processes
K	Egg to Chick	Hot & Cold	Five Senses
1	Butterflies	Properties	Sunshine & Shadows	Pilot, Balance, & Motion
2	Plants	Solids & Liquids	Air & Weather
3	Human Body	Magnetism & Electricity	Water	Measurement
4	Microworlds	Process of Investigation	Solar System	Earth Materials
5	Ecosystems	Levers & Pulleys	Landforms	Ecology

Junior High Science
In Junior High the science curriculum uses an inquiry approach to science to teach students science concepts. In grades 6-8, students learn life, earth and physical sciences through an integrated curriculum. Students have access to science laboratory facilities to conduct science investigations.

At grades 7 and 8, students who have demonstrated an exceptional interest and motivation in science can participate in Accelerated Science. The core curriculum is the same as in regular science classes, but is expanded and enriched. The class moves at a faster pace that allows for special projects and field trips that are related to the curriculum. Students also have the opportunity to participate in Science Olympiad.

Contact Us
Contact Hands on Science by telephone, fax, mail, or email. You can also contact schools throughout the district. Phone numbers are listed on the right.

Laura McCoy, Coordinator
440 Boulder Hill Pass
Oswego, IL, 60543
Phone 630.636.2625
Fax 630.554.5193
Email

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Hands on Science

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