George Washington Carver Math and Science Project
George Washington Carver's legacy suggests the need for our nation to make a major commitment to providing our youth high quality education. We must ensure students are firmly and rigorously educated in analytical higher order thinking in the areas of science, technology, and math.
In 1988, the National Science Resources Center (NSRC), operated by the Smithsonian Institute and the National Academies , began development of an innovative, hands-on science program designed to raise the level of educational achievement throughout the nation. In 1997, NSRC completed the first ?Science and Technology for Children®? (STC®) science program for grades K-6 and in 1998 began the development of ?Science and Technology Concepts for Middle Schools TM ? (STC/MS TM ). The NSRC curricula are grounded in educational research and National Science Education Standards. Both the STC® and STC/MS TM have been tested in broad cross-sections of the nation and undergo constant professional evaluation by teachers and scientists. The Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California Berkley also developed Full Option Science Systems (FOSS) kits with the same research and standards basis.
In the spring of 2002, the Ozark Rural Systemic Initiative in partnership with the Southwest Center for Educational Excellence (38-school district consortium serving over 50,000 students) , the Ozark Rural Systemic Initiative, George Washington Carver National Monument and the Carver Birthplace Association launched an innovative approach to advancing science achievement entitled the ?George Washington Carver Math and Science Project.? This project focuses on training teachers to implement the STC® or FOSS modules and the development and introduction of STC® companion curriculum called Discovering Science in Your National Parks, a Companion Series for Science and Technology for Children TM . These companion booklets are tools for teachers to incorporate inquiry science into their classrooms based on National Parks. The companion series takes students to a focal national park where they can experience firsthand the science phenomena they are studying in the classroom. Each park is chosen for its unique scientific value and characteristics, and is tied directly to the topic being taught in the STC ® module. The companion series are integrated lessons where students experience science through exposure to national park resources, character education lessons that help students see what they can do to take care of their national parks, and scientist on staff lessons that introduce students to science careers in the national parks.
The success of this program already serves as a model and demonstrates the potential of the project to enhance science education across the nation. The program holds the capability of providing a solid foundation for all Four- State residents in science and technology.
To enhance the place-based, real-life impact of the STC® curriculum, to take students to new higher-level thinking, and to further the mission of the National Park Service for generations to come, the Ozark Rural Systemic Initiative, Southwest Center for Educational Excellence, George Washington Carver National Monument and the Carver Birthplace Association have partnered to forge connections between the educational excellence pioneered through the STC® curriculum and scientific treasures of the National Park System. A connection that will inspire young Americans to gain knowledge that will shape our lives for decades to come, while ensuring their children's children can learn from their inheritance ? the National Park System! With this partnership, schools surrounding George Washington Carver National Monument will be given the opportunity to be on the cutting edge of research-based teaching and learning knowledge.
Funding for the project has been received through the National Science Foundation Rural Systemic Initiative, the National Park Service Director's Challenge Cost Share Program, National Park Service Midwest Region Challenge Cost Share Program and the National Park Foundation Parks as Classrooms program.