Welcome to the Elementary Science page! Our office is located at 721 North Atherton Street, State College, PA 16803. Our phone number is 814-231-1082.

OUR STAFF:

Brian Peters, Director of Curriculum K-6

Sherry Riden,  Secretary

Science Program

The elementary science program in the State College Area School District addresses the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Environment and Ecology and the Standards for Science and Technology. The unit topics provide content through which student learning experiences are structured. The hands-on process science skills emphasized in science, which are applicable to all subject areas, are lifelong learning skills. They include:

• Observing using the five senses to obtain information about objects and events.
• Measuring using scientific instruments such as balances, microscopes, graduated cylinders, meter sticks, and thermometers.
• Classifying and Ordering to show similarities, differences, interrelationships, and to identify properties of objects.
• Communicating in oral, written, and pictorial forms.
• Inferring from observations and data.
• Predicting using observations and research in an organized form.
• Reading and Researching of scientific material from appropriate resources.
• Formulating Hypotheses on the basis of past experiences and observations.
• Interpreting Data using recordings to make predictions or draw conclusions.
• Experimenting using scientific procedure.
• Formulating Conclusions to explain the results of experiments.

In addition to the process skills, positive attitudes are emphasized to make the study of science enjoyable and interesting and to encourage achievement. These include having the children become:

• Curious about their environment.
• Cooperative and willing to participate.
• Responsible for equipment, materials, and living organisms.
• Confident in their abilities.
• Enthusiastic toward science experiments.
• Respectful of the opinions of others.
• Accurate in making observations and recordings.
• Persistent in searching for solutions.
• Accepting of evidence and change.
• Objective in analyzing data and in problem solving.