If you could have the science lab of your dreams for preK through 2 students, what would it include? What are the minimum required materials, what are the commonly found materials, and what is on your wish list? Would it be in your classroom or a separate lab in the school? Would you have group tables or individual desks? Does your state have offer guidelines? (Thanks to the NSTA elementary level list serve for these questions. The list serves are wonderful vehicles for information exchange.)
Peggy
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I am director of the Rice University Elementary Model Science Lab in Houston. Each year we train 80 in-service elementary science teachers (K-5) one full day a week throughout the academic year in a special elementary lab facility. By ‘special’, I really mean that the Lab is set up for adult sized persons because in all other respects we purposefully mimic the typical elementary lab setting that a teacher would find in a typical Texas school. What that really means is that the Lab has a sink and lab tables arranged in pods for six students per table and not much more in the way of specialized equipment or design. You need some basic science materials and associated storage, as well as MORE STORAGE space for the consumables that hopefully your teachers will use. You can see a list of what one group in Texas has suggested for elementary science equipment and materials here: http://www.utdanacenter.org/sciencetoolkit/downloads/EquipmentListsK-12.pdf Note: you may have to copy & paste both lines together of the above link to make it work in your web browser. Anything else that you find in a typical lab setting in this state would be ‘up to the teacher’. Plants and aquatic and terrestrial animals are common, as are science related posters including methods/safety type posters on the walls. Usually the space has a well-used, somewhat cluttered appearance because storage space is inadequate, but the main thing is that teachers learn to allow the students to use inquiry methods to learn (and learn to love) science. The rest will take care of itself. If you are interested in learning more about our training program, there is a 10 minute video produced by Houston school district here: http://webcast.rice.edu/webcast.php?action=details&event=1344 Note: you may have to copy & paste both lines together of the above link to make it work in your web browser. If anyone knows of any similar training program where in-service elementary science teachers are released during the school week for training on a frequent basis throughout an academic year, I’d like to learn more about the program. Wallace Dominey, Ph.D. Director, K12 Science Initiatives Center for Education Rice University Houston, TX 77005 wdominey@rice.edu http://www.TAKScopes.com
It works better to have tables for two, and no more than 4, kids. They are still practicing group sharing. Chairs, not stools since they tend to fall off of stools. Lots of storage. Repeatedly used materials, pencils, markers, paper, hand lens, pipettes, plastic cups, etc. should be accessible to the students. Overheard cabinets, or better a huge closet, to store things to keep out of reach of children, glassware, chemicals. You need some space to store taller items — meter sticks, broom, shovel, whatever. Two sinks are better than one, with drying rack and towels nearby. A small refrigerator is nice to have. (You need ice cubes occasionally) Hot plate is sufficient for heat. Don’t forget the fire extinquisher. Teacher desk with composite/slate top and not too tall for demonstrations. Lots of electrical outlets around the room and by the demonstration desk. Have shelf space for a tub for each section to put folders or unfinished projects in. With younger students it works well to share a show and tell or pass examples while sitting in a circle on the floor so you need empty floor space (with a rug is nice). This is also good for playing prey-predator games or sharing a read-a-loud book. A wide (long) window sill is wonderful to have, for aquaria, plants, etc. Counter (tables) on the side for set ups. An active science room can get very messy quickly since you are doing several different hands-on activities in a day. I argued with my colleagues about who does the clean up. I liked try to train the students to wash their own dishes and clear the tables. So I would have sponges by the sink and a broom and dust pan available. Some other teachers say its easier to do it themselves. A book shelf with books and magazines for the students to peruse if finished early is also a plus.
I have been an elementary science teacher for 15 years and am in my 3rd school. Each has done things differently as far as curriculum, but the spaces have been similar. Tables where four students can work together are good for collaboration. More than four in a group often results in people being left out. Sinks are definitely needed, with at least one eye wash station in case of an emergency. Storage is always a challenge. There needs to be enough closed storage space to store materials that are not being used, and also enough counter space so that on-going projects are not in the way when other classes come to the lab. A reading area is nice, or at least a book shelf so that they can choose books to read at their seats. A place to have gather in a circle is also helpful for discussions. If kits are being used, having enough equipment is not an issue (as long there is enough money to buy and replenish the kits). If kits are not being used, you need to make sure that there is enough of commonly used items so that more than one class/grade can use the same or similar materials at the same time. These are my thoughts. Feel free to contact me off list for more information. Brian Bortz