Science Kits

Auburn Land Lab
Science & Inquiry

31 Holbrook Road * Auburn, Maine * 04210 * Phone 207-783-4563

Since 2003, the Land Lab, through the Office of Learning and Teaching, has been given the leadership task of developing and supporting the K-8 Science curriculum in the Auburn School Department. This process has included working with many talented teachers to develop science units and supporting materials in district-made kits for each grade level K - 6.

Each kit contains materials for teachers to provide inquiry-based, quality instruction to their students for a five-week period. Between 2003-2007, we created three science kits for each grade level, each one aligned with Maine State Learning Results and national science standards and best practices. The kits are rotated every 5 weeks, and come back to the Land Lab for replenishment and refurbishing. Teachers are also encouraged to visit the land lab for supplemental activities related to the kits. We are in a continual process to make science education and integrated learning even better in the Auburn School Department.

Auburn Science Scope and Sequence - realigned with the 2007 Maine Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction. Auburn Science Scope and Sequence (pdf)

Kits Titles for 2008-2009

Grade	Kit Name	Grade	Kit Name
K	Sorting	4	Force & Motion
K	Needs of Plants	4	Design and Inventions
K	Needs of Animals	4	Earth, Sun & Moon
1	Healthy Body	5	Cells
1	Weather	5	Energy, Light & Sound
1	Being Scientists	5	Classification (Oceans)
2	Habitats	6	Electricity & Energy Resources
2	Basic Motion	6	Human Body
2	Life Cycles	6	Fossils & Natural Selection
3	Properties of Matter	6	Rocks, Minerals and Soils (through 2009)
3	Earth Changes & Cycles
3	Living Things

Each kit has been designed for the students of Auburn using high quality materials and best teaching practices. The kits above have been re-aligned with 2007 Maine Learning Results. See the list of publications below to see some of our resources.

Auburn Teachers:
For the most recent kit rotation schedule, inventories, and lesson plans, please visit the Science Conference in FirstClass.
For help with kit activities or for help in your classroom, please contact Jim Chandler.
For questions regarding kit supplies or schedules, please contact Cameron Sutton.

Science Kit Forms
Kit Feedback Form
I Wonder Circle Poster(.pdf)

The SC4 Grant Project: (2005-2008)

The Science Content, Conceptual Change, and Collaboration (SC4) Partnership is a partnership of school districts, higher education institutions and a statewide non-profit science, technology, engineering and mathematics professional development organization. The SC4 partnership involves 500 K-8 teachers in 24 separate schools from four Maine districts, including Auburn.

The SC4 partnership has come together around four goals and subsequent objectives, each contributing to the next, with increased student achievement as the project's long-term result. To do this, SC4 involves all elementary and middle school teachers in the four districts, designing professional development programs that meet school and individual needs. Professional development components are planned along a continuum intended to build and apply knowledge in areas of teacher content knowledge, standards and research on learning, instructional strategies, data and action research, leadership, and collaboration.

Goal #1: Increase district capacity for improving the teaching of science
Goal #2: Develop a sustainable community of learners
Goal #3: Increase students' opportunities to learn science
Goal #4: Increase student achievement in science

For more information about the SC4 Project, visit the Maine Math and Science Alliance SC4 page.

SC4 Summer Opportunities
Auburn Teachers may go! Let Jim or Cameron know if you are interested!

Teacher Action Research: June 26-27, 2008; MMSA Augusta
Teacher action research is a classroom-embedded form of professional development used to examine teaching and learning. During this retreat, we will use Curriculum Topic Study to learn how to research students' misconceptions related to curriculum standards. The classroom research studies will be conducted in September, and followup work sessions will provide support as you learn to analyze the data you collect and take action based on your findings.

SC4 Summer Content Institute: July 28-Aug 1, 2008; UNE Biddeford
Dr. James Vesenka will lead our summer content institute, combining topics about light with examples that can be brought directly to K-8 classrooms. Participants will learn about the topics through inquiry-based laboratory experiences.

SC4 Summer Showcase: Aug 11-15, 2008; Hilton Garden Inn Auburn
This week will showcase tools, strategies, and resources that have been of highest interest in SC4 schools. Teachers may choose to register for any or all of the events that take place during these five days. Sessions will include: Using inquiry boards in elementary classrooms; Drawing in science; Formative assessment classroom techniques; Using personal response systems ("clickers") with the conceptual change model; Science probeware and inquiry science.

Science Books and Resources available at the Land Lab. Also used to help inform our science teaching and curriculum revisions:

Publications by Project 2061/AAAS
Benchmarks of Science Literacy (online)
Science for All Americans (online)
Designs for Science Literacy
Atlas of Science Literacy V1
Atlas of Science Literacy V2

Science Literacy and Inquiry
Science Notebooks
Linking Science & Literacy in the K-8 Classroom
Science Curriculum Topic Study
Quality Questioning
National Science Education Standards
Nurturing Inquiry
Science Matters
Inquire Within

Assessment
Uncovering Student Thinking in Science (Formative Assessment Probes) Volume 1
Uncovering Student Thinking in Science (Formative Assessment Probes) Volume 2
Seamless Assessment in Science

Elementary Science
Picture Perfect Science Lessons
More Picture Perfect Science Lessons
Science Saurus (Grade 4-6)

Middle School Science
Making Sense of Secondary Science
Science Saurus (Grade 6-8)
Exemplary Science in Grades 5-8
How to Write to Learn Science
Doing Good Science in Middle School

Other
Science for English Language Learners
Stop Faking It! Series
Tools & Traits for Highly Effective Science Teaching

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SC4 Summer Opportunities Auburn Teachers may go! Let Jim or Cameron know if you are interested!

Science Books and Resources available at the Land Lab. Also used to help inform our science teaching and curriculum revisions:

SC4 Summer Opportunities
Auburn Teachers may go! Let Jim or Cameron know if you are interested!