Florida Citizens for Science congratulates Kit Hitchcock of Lely Elementary School for brining science to life for the kids in her school. Thank you for showing children how interesting science really is!
For the first time in their elementary school careers, the Lely Elementary School fifth-graders are experimenting with science — and loving it.
“It’s really fun. I’d say we’ve learned a lot,” Sarah, a fifth-grader in Cherie Grieco’s class said. “It’s great being able to use all this new, cool stuff.”
The science initiative pulling fourth- and fifth-graders at the school out of their homerooms and into a bona fide science lab was brainstormed and started this year by administrators and veteran teacher Kit Hitchcock.
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“They’ve not been able to investigate anything. They’ve always had the information just poured on them,” Hitchcock said. “This is more of them learning the process, and getting into the lab together.”
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“I think lots of folks will be thinking more about science this year, because it will impact schools for the first time,” Witthoff said. “I think it’s going to be interesting to watch how Kit’s class evolves this year.
“We’re not just looking at FCAT scores. We’re looking to see how (the lab) impacts students’ interest in the subject matter.”Â
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So far this year, Hitchcock’s class has experimented with light reflections, energy, temperature and animal behavior. Last month, students spent time testing the properties of minerals and classifying them accordingly.
“I’m happy Mrs. Hitchcock is our teacher, because she lets us do all these fun things,” 10-year-old Vanessa Isaroskul said, dusting the mineral residue off her hands.
“We get to do all these neat projects, and it’s fun.”
