LOWER LAKE — Konocti Unified School District (KUSD) board of trustees heard a presentation Wednesday about an elementary school science program involving University of California, Davis graduate students and scientists of McLaughlin Reserve, prior to continuing to work through its budget process.
The science program is being brought to students at Lower Lake Elementary School to provide hands-on learning and interaction with scientists and science grad students.
Fifth-grade teachers Lori Kincaid and Cindy Strugnell described the benefits of the program to the board as “inline with fifth-grade curriculum standards.”
The program is a nine-week course, two hours per week that engages students in scientific studies related to specifically to the Lake County area. The program has been ongoing for the past two years. This year the students engaged in a soil habitat plant experiment. Kincaid said the program offered the opportunity for students to interact with several UC Davis leaders and McLaughlin scientists, who she said offered lessons in various aspects of science.
“It was a really wonderful experience in that way,” Kincaid said. “(The students) got see people collectively involved as students and scientists.”
Barbara Going, U.C. Davis grad student, said the program aims to connect the McLaughlin Mine with the Lower Lake community and eventually the entire county. She said a goal is to develop a “sense of place” in Lake County for the students. “We”d like the students know what a truly scientific county they live in,” she said. Going said the program culminates with a “Field Adventure Day” at the reserve. She added all UC Davis and reserve participants offer their assistance on a volunteer basis.
“The kids are really excited. They ask a lot of questions and their grades are increasing,” Strugnell said. “They are learning the whole scientific process. They are going out in the field and researching.”
The board expressed appreciation for the program as did Superintendent Bill MacDougall. “This is absolutely wonderful to have a unique scientific experience for out students,” he said. The board continued in its budget process addressing issues related to use of categorical funds and site principals” intended use of those funds. The board also heard recommendations for alternative education and provided further direction to staff.
In other business, the board designated May 20 through 26 as “Classified Employees Week.” In a previous action, the board recently designated May 7 through 11 as “Certified Employee Appreciation Week” and May 9 as “Day of the Teacher.”
