A science project for West Aurora

West Aurora teachers are looking for a new way to teach the scientific method to their young students and to better equip their classrooms as the district looks to change its science curriculum.

In what officials described as a better and more powerful tool, a new program recommended by a committee of kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers will place more emphasis on teacher training and technology.

For instance, science teacher Ann Butcher said, the program works with the Discovery Channel to offer Web-based learning.

The program was outlined on Monday to the board of education, which will now have 30 days to review it. The board can vote on the recommendation in January.

The district has been using the same science program for kindergarten through fifth grade for the last 17 years, and although it provides students with necessary hands-on learning, the science committee did not believe it has enough support materials for teachers or struggling students.

Science teacher Mike Runge said science education has generally been atrophying because the field is not stressed in No Child Left Behind legislation.

Although students take tests in the subject, those scores do not count against a school's Annual Yearly Progress, a determining factor in the status and federal funds available to a school.

"We have seen attention being taken away," Runge said. "The hope is we use a program that is accessible to all teachers and emphasizes how to be a better science teacher."

"We hope we're giving our teachers a better arsenal," Runge said. "The program itself is not a magic bullet, but it will emphasize ongoing training and a holistic approach. Teachers are the answer."

The committee recommended that students in grades three to five receive 150 minutes per week in science, which it considers moderate compared to the times spent on reading and math. The science committee would like grades kindergarten through two to have 120 minutes per week of science.

If the recommendations are adopted, the changes could come next fall, Runge said.

The committee will bring a recommendation for a new middle school program early next year and has already started changing high school science classes, Runge said.