HISD is looking to improve science education at its elementary schools:
HISD has a new plan to boost students’ exposure to science here in the Space City.
Superintendent Abe Saavedra announced a new plan to equip elementary schools throughout the city with new and modern science labs and to beef up science instruction. He says Houston sits in the shadow of the space program, yet many HISD elementary schools have little or no science equipment for students.
“We have come up with a plan to equip elementary schools throughout the city with new science labs and beefed up science instruction programs,” said Dr. Saavedra.
Dr. Saavedra’s plan will cost the district four million dollars. He plans to ask the board for approval at the school board meeting on Thursday.
KHOU-11 also has a short mention of this story on its site, but it says Saavedra will be asking for one million dollars. The press release on HISD’s website uses the four million dollar figure, so we will assume that one is correct.
American businesses have been crying for years about the lack of quality science education public schools are providing. This is a step in the right direction. Schools need to get kids interested and learning while they are young, and they’ll stand a better chance of doing well in later grades.
UPDATE: Here’s the Chronicle‘s coverage which includes this quote from a principal:
Gregg Elementary already has a science lab for third- through fifth-graders. McDonald wants to use the extra money to open a science lab for younger students.
“At fifth grade, there is a lot of student apathy for science,” McDonald said. “So if we don’t start to build an interest early, then by the time they get to the fifth grade, it’s almost too late.”
Absolutely. Get those kids excited about science, as early as possible.
