Hands-On Science Improves High School Test Scores
Charleston, South Carolina (PRWEB) May 22, 2015 -- Empowering teachers and engaging students are two goals of the Charleston County School District, and the district is finding pathways to those goals with Inquiries in Science® kits from Carolina Biological Supply Company. After using Inquiries in Science® kits over the last three years to improve students’ end-of-year biology state exam scores, Rodney Moore, District Science Coordinator, states, “We now have 85 percent or more of our students passing these exams. That is higher than the state average.”
Charleston County has high expectations for its science classrooms, with state and national standards paired with a strong STEM focus. And, like many school districts, cost-effective instructional materials are imperative to ensure that all students have access to high-quality, hands-on science lessons. Moore appreciates that the Inquiries in Science® Biology series makes meeting and exceeding those expectations and challenges easier. “Students learn science best when they learn by doing,” Moore explains. “The Inquiry kits promote this hands-on learning experience, making science more engaging and fun – and at a price that is budget friendly.”
Charleston County embraces the 5E learning cycle of engagement, exploration, explanation, extension, and evaluation. Moore explains that the kits “connect the teachers to the 5E learning cycle and enable them to make classroom teaching come alive.” Inquiries in Science® kits were designed around the 5E learning cycle, with the underlying philosophy that students have more success learning science when they develop their understanding through guided-inquiry experiences that model the scientific process. Mark Meszaros, Vice President of Product Management and Innovation at Carolina Biological Supply Company, comments, “We are committed to bringing hands-on, inquiry-based science to high schools. We constantly strive to assist teachers and inspire students to achieve mastery of science concepts.”
Moore extends his praise of Inquiries in Science® kits to their use as professional development tools. The kits’ in-depth background information, teacher tips, and comprehensive instructions assist teachers with classroom management and enhance outcomes. Moore observes that the kits “connect the teachers to the 5E learning cycle and enable them to make classroom teaching come alive. So professional development in our district is an on-going process.”
To learn more about Charleston County’s growth and success in high school biology, and how the district has incorporated hands-on science with Inquiries in Science® kits, read the complete case study.
From its beginnings in 1927, Carolina Biological Supply Company has grown to become a leading supplier of science teaching materials. Today, from its headquarters in Burlington, North Carolina, Carolina serves customers worldwide, including teachers, professors, home-school educators, and professionals in health and science-related fields. Please visit our website, http://www.carolina.com/inquiries to learn more about the Inquiries in Science® kit series for biology, chemistry, and environmental science.
Bruce Wilcox, Carolina Biological Supply Company, http://www.carolina.com, +1 336-534-0953, [email protected]
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