The Science Education Partnership is a unique collaboration between education and business that provides science resources for educators within the Lambton-Kent District School Board and the St. Clair Catholic School Board. Lambton-Kent Ag in the Classroom was one of the first community organizations that joined and supports the SEP's initiatives.
Focus Areas:
- Science Kits
- Adopt-a-Scientist Volunteer Program
- Innovative Science Support Linking School and Community
- Partners
- Science Resource Centres
The Science Education Partnership (SEP), formed in 1992, consists of the Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB), the St. Clair Catholic District School Board (SCCDSB), local businesses, industries, and community partners. Lambton Kent Ag in the Classroom has been involved since 2000 with particular interest in the science kits – promoting agricultural awareness.
The SEP was formed for the purpose of expanding and supporting a quality “Hands-on, Minds-on” science program for students from Kindergarten to Grade 8. All science education programs made available for teachers through the SEP, provide students with learning opportunities that develop and encourage collaboration, creativity, problem solving, and science literacy through the use of hands-on materials. It is recognized that these skills ultimately help our students to become more responsible and more successful adults in the working community.
After the release of the Revised Science and Technology Curriculum in December 2007, curriculum teams began the task of aligning the kit with this document. A gap analysis was completed. Curriculum Teams continue to realign existing kits to this revised document throughout the coming school year.
Science Kit Program:
Science kits that contain hands-on materials and resources are developed to support the grade level expectations as described in the “Ontario Curriculum, Grade 1-8, Science and Technology (Revised 2007)”. Statistics for LKAITC sponsored kits this past year:
- Farm Animals (Gr. 2 Life Systems) - 14 classes
- Plants (Gr 3 Life Systems) - 44 classes
- Soil (Gr. 3 Earth & Space systems) - 43 classes
- Ecosystems (Gr. 7 Life Systems) - 27 classes
LKAITC Gala Recognition:
At the 14th annual “Taste of Lambton-Kent” gala fundraising dinner, two teachers, Sue Cummings of Gregory Drive Public School in Chatham and Leanne Woodcock of Winston Churchill Public School in Chatham were acknowledged for their support and enthusiastic participation of the Harvest Days Program.
LKAITC Support for SEP:
LKAITC will be presenting a cheque to the SEP at our annual meeting. Wendy Hoogheim will be attending on behalf of the Partnership to accept. These funds will be used for new and/or enhancement of Ag based science kits.
Next Steps:
In 2011, the Science Education Partnership looks forward to its seventeenth year of providing teachers and students with the resources required for “Hands-on, Minds-on” science education. LKAITC looks forward to continued participation on SEP as an opportunity to promote agriculture in the classroom.
