Why science kits?

Equity
- Students don’t have access to materials at home they would normally have at school. It’s inequitable to ask students to get materials themselves and unfair to ask teachers to acquire and distribute materials piecemeal when they already have so much on their plates.
Inquiry
- There is an unprecedented opportunity in distance learning for inquiry based, differentiated instruction. Science investigations are the perfect opportunity for students to explore in a home learning environment.
Collaboration
- We are building a community of Elementary teachers invested in providing science opportunities to students. This Science Kit program provides the chance for district wide collaboration on implementing Next Generation Science Standards. We’re hosting professional developments, creating spaces for teachers to share lesson plans and brainstorm how to provide optimal science opportunities for their students.

Click on the images to see how the Science Kit Program has been in the news!

HUSD Educators Named Jefferson Award Recipients

HAYWARD, Calif., April 13, 2021—The Hayward Unified School District (HUSD) is thrilled announce that Nancy Wright and Stuart Loebl, two HUSD educators, have been named Jefferson Award recipients. Mr. Loebl is a science specialist at Lorin Eden Elementary. Ms. Wright serves as an elementary science teacher on special assignment with HUSD and as a science educator with the Alameda County Office of Education. During distance learning, Mr. Loebl and Ms. Wright have set a goal of making 5,000 science kits for elementary students across the district. They have found that students have limited access to materials at home, but believe there is an unprecedented opportunity in distance learning for inquiry-based, differentiated instruction. Science investigations are the perfect opportunity for students to explore in a home learning environment. They are building a community of elementary teachers invested in providing science opportunities to students, and the science kit program provides the chance for districtwide collaboration on implementing next generation science standards. Their initiative has included hosting professional development sessions for educators and creating spaces for teachers to brainstorm how to provide optimal science opportunities for their students.

Throughout this process they have inspired an army of dedicated volunteers and donors to bring this project to life. The science kit project has received financial support from the district through its energy saving partnership with Engie. For months, the duo has overseen the assembly of thousands of kits at one of the district's new STEAM buildings. For their passion, creativity, and dedication to Hayward students, HUSD is proud to share news of this recognition.

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