CPPSD Foundation Funds Middle School Science Programs
The Corning-Painted Post School District Foundation has made several donations to the Corning-Painted Post School District for middle school science instructional materials and supplies. FOSS, or Full Option Science System, is a researched-based, inquiry approach to science instruction which provides basic scientific knowledge, effective teaching techniques to meet the standards to meet the needs of our next generation. Students learn by doing and assessment is done by a number of different strategies. Corning Enterprises has provided grants to the Foundation to facilitate the implementation of the FOSS method for all District middle schoolers. Judith Dwyer, president of the Corning-Painted Post School District Foundation explains, “This is a cutting-edge innovation. Our middle-school students are fortunate to have the opportunity to learn through this method.”
Rachel Wood is volunteering her time to provide in-service training for middle school teachers in the implementation of the FOSS science program. She has worked closely with Eileen Bowen of the C-PP District to implement this major curriculum change for middle school.
Ms Wood formerly headed K-12 science education for the Delaware Department of Education. She co-chaired the development of the State of Delaware's science standards and was awarded a multi-million dollar grant from the National Science Foundation to lead a standards-based science reform initiative in Delaware’s schools. Now a resident of Corning, Ms. Wood was also the first head of school for the Alternative School for Math & Science, a private middle school in Corning.
Chris Sharkey, Director of Community Affairs for Corning Enterprises, said, "We were delighted to partner with the Foundation on this to provide a new curriculum for middle school science. The exploration of science and technology is central to what we do here at Corning Inc., and teaching concepts in a hands-on, interactive way is so important to making science education fun and exciting for our future scientists!"
Leslie Varga of Corning Free Academy, reports “The FOSS Science Program allows students to experience science through a hands-on approach that encourages them to think at a higher level and to develop inquiry skills. Their excitement for experimenting with fundamentals of science and transferring their knowledge into other subject areas is amazing! They are really learning to think like scientists!”
Lisa Krol of Northside-Blodgett states, “The FOSS Science’s approach to learning allows the students to learn new concepts through self discovery. The sixth graders are learning about variables right now and engaging in four experiments to help them learn this concept. In our current investigation, we are testing the variable of capacity with paper boats we constructed in class. l am impressed with their ability to think and problem-solve at a higher level. This program will enable them to leverage these learnings in their future academic experiences.”
Corning Free Academy’s Brenda McClure adds “"The students love doing the science activities and are able to think more critically and communicate more clearly about science concepts. It's very rewarding to see how excited the students are about science."
I think it is a dynamic opportunity to enhance and engage student learning about science concepts.”
Josh Keeler of Corning Free Academy says “the thing I like the best is that the whole program is student-centered. They are not reading out of a textbook and taking notes. They are active participants and drive their learning themselves. The students determine what variables to test and design experiments to find out how these variables affect the outcomes. I have been impressed with the high level of critical thinking that kids are doing within a small group setting. Plus, the kids are really enjoying science!”
Doreen Licursi of Northside says “I particularly like that the students are given multiple opportunities to practice and fine-tune these skills during the four different investigations. I can already see progress in many students as we come to the end of our second investigation. The students and teachers are all excited about the culminating activity during which the students design and carry out their own ideas for a controlled experiment. “
Sara Wilson of Northside Blodgett adds “I am so excited about the hands-on opportunities that the FOSS program allows our students to have. Scientific knowledge is best constructed when actually doing the science. I also love how FOSS encourages the use of cooperative learning that will help students be better prepared for different life experiences.”
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For more information, contact Judy Dwyer at info@cppschoolsfoundation.org.