Renton’s done it again!

A while back, we posted about the lengths the Renton School District has gone to in order to combat a shortage of math teachers. This week, we were pleased to see the district (under the direction of PFL-adored Supt. Mary Alice Heuschel and Curriculum Director Jane Goetze) tackling the challenges of science instruction in the same manner.

Thanks to a five-year $721,000 grant from Maryland-based Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Renton worked with the Center for Inquiry Science (CIS) to design a summer professional development program to make sure the district’s teachers are well-versed in inquiry-based science education.

According to the Seattle Times, “Through the CIS program, outside scientists, such as those from the University of Washington, will train at least one staff member from each Renton elementary school to be their school's go-to person for teachers with questions about science lessons.”

Because elementary teachers teach all subjects, many don't have a science background. "Oftentimes, when you're a classroom teacher, you get isolated in there. With this program, you get to see how you fit into the bigger system," said Dana Riley Black, CIS director.

While we often focus on the importance of quality lab science at the high school level, it is crucial that students begin to learn the basics of scientific inquiry as early as possible. Without solid experience with scientific investigation, many middle- and high school students struggle to grasp higher concepts and processes. (Though obvious to some, imagine being faced with your first high school lab and struggling to tell the critical differences between objective and hypothesis, results and conclusion.)

Renton deserves enormous kudos for addressing this problem, continuing to develop the strength of their teachers and preparing their students for future success in science.