ABSTRACT

The teachers at Aspen Ridge Preschool are dedicated to high-quality, intentional instruction that places the students on track to academic success. “On Your Mark, Get Set, Science!” is a year-long program that uses materials, tools, and field trips to incorporate earth, life, and physical science lessons and activities into the classroom. With “On Your Mark, Get Set, Science!”, students are given opportunities to care for plants in the school’s garden, observe and document the development of classroom tadpoles and butterflies, and use scientific instruments to explore their environment during class time. At the end of the school year, students and their families are invited to the Science Center of Iowa to explore the exhibits and activities and make connections to what they learned throughout the year with “On Your Mark, Get Set, Science!”. As part of “On Your Mark, Get Set, Science!”, the teachers of Aspen Ridge Preschool attend workshops and conferences throughout the state that cover science instruction for early childhood classrooms. This ensures that teachers are up-to-date on the most recent science education practices. “On Your Mark, Get Set, Science!” seeks to provide students with a lifelong interest in the exciting world of science!