NEW STATE EDUCATION INITIATIVE COMING TO NORRISTOWN

 HARRISBURG, AUG. 2 – State Sen. Connie Williams commended Gotwals Elementary School in the Norristown Area School District for becoming one of the first schools in the Commonwealth to be selected for participation in the new "Science: It's Elementary" initiative.

 "This education program will give students the opportunity to not only explore the world of science, but to do so with access to the latest state-of-the-art, research-based curriculum and instructional materials," Williams said. "The program is a new education initiative that we included in the 2006-07 state budget that is designed to help teachers to transform their classrooms into science laboratories."

 Gotwals was one of 78 schools across 36 counties selected for participation in the new program.

 "Imagine having science come to life through experiments in elementary school," Williams said. "This program will help some students to develop a passion for science at an early age and will help others learn that science can be fun."

 Science: It's Elementary replicates the ASSET Inc. model that brings science technology to the classroom. ASSET is funded through the Bayer Foundation and has been implemented in 48 southwestern Pennsylvania classrooms.

 The new program will:

• Give teachers access to state-of-the-art, research-based curriculum and instructional materials;

• Have students conduct scientific experiments throughout the school year; and

• Provide intensive training to teachers and administrators to help transform their classrooms into science laboratories.

 "Science is not a subject best taught in a typical classroom lecture setting," Williams said. "To truly inspire young people and get them excited about science, they need hands-on experiments taught by educators that know about the latest scientific trends and technology. Not every elementary student will aspire to a career in the sciences, but given the right introduction to science, more young people may choose a scientifically-based career in the future."

 The program was funded with a $10 million commitment of state dollars.