Science Supervisor Reports Successful Experiment

Students attending public schools in the Scotch Plains-Fanwood district are learning scientific concepts and methods in new and exciting ways, according to Scott Bortnick, the district's science supervisor.

Bortnick outlined the science curriculum for elementary, middle and high school students for the Board of Education Thursday night, telling members that the district's students are in line with state and national trends.

"We have a real push nationally for science education and it is a real focus," Bortnick said. "There's less emphasis on memorizing scientific fact and more of an emphasis on our students engaging in scientific inquires and activities that really promote a deep understanding."

One goal is to provide experiences similar to those of scientists in academia and industry, he said.

The state core curriculum content standards have changed to coincide with these new trends in scientific education.

"They were realigned and reorganized and went from ten different standards down to four," Bortnick said. "That's not to say we lost content. There's just a much bigger focus on big ideas. It's not watered down, it's quite the opposite of that, it's being concentrated."

Specifically, students began learning scientific journal writing, were taught from kits based on the Full Option Science System (FOSS) science curriculum and received inquiry-based learning between 2004 and 2007. New kits were introduced to kindergartens in 2008-2009.

The movement also included science lesson studies for teachers to implement the inquiry-based instruction. This development was provided by a grant awarded by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Ryder University, he said.

Bortnick played for the board a 5-minute video that included actual footage of students participating in an inquiry-based lesson as well as interviews with students, teachers and administrators from Coles and McGinn elementary schools.

Members of the Board of Education lauded Bortnick and the new science education initiative.

Nancy Bauer, vice president of the board, said she was grateful the district had the innovative inquiry-based learning initiative.

"I think the district is lucky to have teachers and a supervisor that supports this direction for science," Bauer said. "It reminds me of the statement that 'learning is what you do when you don't know the answer.'"

Dr. Margaret W. Hayes, superintendent of schools, also expressed gratitude for Bortnick's efforts.

"This shows why it's incredibly helpful to have the expertise of highly knowledgeable content supervisors," Hayes said. "We need that to guide our curriculum. This was a great holiday present for us."

Also Thursday, the board unanimously approved participation in the Alliance for Competitive Telecommunications.

According to Anthony Del Sordi, the district's business administrator, the ACT cooperative represented a savings for the district in local and long-distance phone service.

The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 21. There is also a PTA/Board of Education round table meeting scheduled for Monday, Jan. 11. The meeting will take place at Park Middle School and is open to the public.