For many District 287 students, life challenges have created gaps and missed educational opportunities. This year South Education Center is trying to close those gaps. SEC Instructional Coach and Science teacher Matt Kaylor offers science lab rotations for all students in the school. Students get a hands-on learning lab experience every two weeks during the year in SEC’s Science Lab.
For many students, this has been their first chance to experience science in action. Matt explains, “I’ve been doing this Bunsen burner fundamentals lab, and I’ve canvassed all the students in our school who go through it. Not a single student had ever used a Bunsen burner before this lab. Some knew what a burner was, but no one had ever used one.”
The labs cover a wide range of experiences including chemical analysis of macromolecules, planting & biology, and slime creation. Even frog dissection is up and coming this spring! Sessions follow lesson plans that emphasize literacy, clear learning objectives, and foundational science principles. For many of our students who struggle to learn with books and paper, the labs can be a catalyst that opens their eyes to the world of science and learning. “It’s awesome to see how engaged students are in activities that they’ve never been able to do before,” says Matt.
Culturally Relevant Teaching & Learning food for thought: What learning experiences and opportunities have your students lacked? How might you get students access to those experiences?