Scholarship Science is a special science education program for small groups of selected 4th and 5th grade students. The program is designed to take place in the afternoon, shortly before or after dismissal. There are six blocks of three lessons each. Schools can contract for any number of blocks desired. This program was developed and implemented in the 2005-2006 school term. The following Okaloosa District schools participated in the 2006-2007 school term (1) Florosa Elementary (2) Elliott Point Elementary (3) Mary Esther Elementary. The program is designed to supplement classroom work with lots of “hands-on” experiments. The program includes innovative and exciting lessons such as Genetics for Kids, Fingerprint Collection and Analysis, and Buyer Beware, Testing on Advertised Products.

Class sizes are limited to 25 students with a minimum of 20 students. Costs for schools have been reduced 30% from last year’s rates. For each block of 3 lessons, the cost for schools is $35 per student. Payment may be made via Global Service Agreement on the District web site. Schools last year contracted for Scholarship Science in 3 block packages. But the option to contract for single block packages is always an option.

Classes are conducted one day per week as designated by the recipient school and each lesson lasts approximately 60 minutes. All supplies and equipment is supplied by the Emerald Coast Science Center.

Block 1: What’s the Matter With Matter

1. Polymer Science
2. The Magic of Chemistry
3. Buyer Beware! Testing Claims of Advertised Products

Block 2: Get a Life

1. Plant and Animal Cells (Microscope Lab)
2. Elementary Dissection Exercise
3. Genetics for Kids

Block 3: Our Changing Planet

1. What Causes Earthquakes, Mountains and Volcanoes
2. The Rock Lab
3. How Weathering Changes the Landscape

Block 4: Detective Science

1. Anthropometric Measurements- Sizing up your suspect
2. Trace Element evaluation- Tire tracks and shoe prints
3. Fingerprint collection and analysis

Block 5: Exploring the Universe

1. The Sun and Our Solar System (actually viewing sunspots)
2. Lets Build a Constellation
3. LaserStar Lab (All Day)

Block 6: Energy

1. Heat, Temperature and Thermal Energy
2. Forms of Energy and How it Changes
3. Magnets, Motors and How to Create Electricity

To schedule classes contact the Emerald Coast Science Center 850.664.1261 ext 203 or bwolf@escience.org.