WV has recently adopted a new set of science curricula for both elementary students. During the professional development provided by COMETS, formal educators will be trained to better utilize these formal curricula. In addition, educators will be trained to use GLOBE and space science materials with the formal texts. The Scott Foresman program provides inquiry-rich content with scaffolded inquiry activities, cross-curricular connections that link reading and science skills in every chapter, and hundreds of Leveled Readers for differentiated instruction. The program is rich in opportunities for true student inquiry. COMETS will provide the opportunity for formal educators to partner with community centers to ensure proper use of education materials to guarantee formal instruction is being enhanced by OST science instruction.

For the elementary program, COMETS will utilize the Scott Foresman Science Companion (SFSC) curriculum which has been specifically designed to augment the science textbooks in use in KCS. It is an inquiry-based program developed by the same people who contributed to an inquiry-based math program now in use throughout the nation. This is the only such program written since National Science Education Standards (NSES) and AAAS Project 2061 Benchmarks were published, and as such, delivers a curriculum designed within these research-based science models. From its creation by content and pedagogical experts to its field testing by classroom teachers to revisions made based on actual classroom experiences, this program fulfills the NCLB Sec. 1606(a)1 requirement that curricula “are based on scientifically based research and effective practices and have been replicated successfully in schools.” This program is designed to help students become successful learners and to foster critical thinking. As advocated by Longbottom and Butler, “science education should produce a population with the skills to critically analyze and change society.” The student journal component of the class materials will spur student creativity, encourage independent thinking, and provide opportunities to practice skills used by scientists. Reference books provided to the students will reinforce reading skills, clarify concepts, and provide essential coverage for required academic standards and benchmarks. Lab equipment and consumables used for experiments and data collection will engage students in activities which will augment classroom experiences and promote analytical thinking. Instead of emphasizing subject matter, the focused science content of this program is designed to generate guided explorations as educational goals.

SFSC curricula are fully aligned with both WV and NSES. The modules to be utilized in COMETS include Weather, Rocks, Our Solar System, Watery Earth, and Our Changing Surface. The content standards addressed by these modules include the following: science as inquiry, physical science, position and motion of objects, structure of the earth system, properties of earth materials, objects in the sky including changes in the earth and sky, earth’s history, abilities of technological design, understandings about science and technology, personal health, natural hazards, risks and benefits, science and technology in society, science as a human endeavor, nature of science, and history of science, unifying concepts and processes: evidence, models and explanation. Each of these standards is also addressed by the SF formal curriculum. The timing of the OST instruction will be monitored closely by the PLC so that OST instruction will enhance formal instruction.

Involvement of parents in their children’s education has been shown to be a crucial factor in students’ success, as evidenced in NCLB Sec. 1606(a)7. Suggestions for methods to increase parental involvement are included in lessons in this curriculum. This program provides an interactive online community resource as well as online links available for use by students and parents in or out of the school environment. The program that COMETS will use has been designed to exceed national academic content standards for science curricula. With mandatory proficiency tests [NCLB Sec. 111(b)(3)(c)(11)] scheduled to begin in the 2007-08 school year the timing is perfect for COMETS to implement this program in order to prepare this area’s most needy students. The research-based approach, and ongoing revisions made possible by online feedback from teachers ensures that this program will provide the most current and effective curriculum possible. Emphasis on increasing science literacy among teachers will serve the education community well in Kanawha County, creating an additional benefit provided by the COMETS program.