1. Science: It’s Elementary ASSET Inc. and

2. Introduction Located in Pittsburgh Part of National Science Education reform through NSRC as a LASER site

3. Brief History 1992 Bayer convened group to initiate science education reform 1994 ASSET becomes independent nonprofit 1995-98 NSF grant sfor Professional Development serving 30 School Districts 2001 Transition to fee for service 2006 Pending legislative approval expanding through Science: It’s Elementary

4. Current Status 48 school districts, charter and private schools 2,500+ prepaid professional development participants 6,000 kits delivered per year 125,000 students impacted per year Growing number of university and community partners

5. National Model for Science Reform Quality hands-on curriculum materials Materials Support Center Effective Professional Development Assessment Community Support

6. Beliefs for Teaching of Science Children need to experience science Children need to engage in hands-on activities Children need to be problem solvers Children need to be THINKERS

7. ASSET Provides Curriculum Materials for grades K-8 Professional Development More than 100 opportunities in the form of courses, institutes, and colloquia R&D to develop new products and services, eg Science Notebooks, Environment & Ecology toolboxes Partnerships Universities Regional resources Corporations

8. Characteristics of Ongoing PD Teachers teaching teachers Directly related to standards-based curriculum Driven by research- based effective classroom practices

9. Materials Support Center

10. Science: It’s Elementary Expansion of the K-6 ASSET Model Introductory Institutes in partnership with NSRC Up to 150 School Districts/Schools or + 1,400 teachers Evaluation by Horizon Research Inc.