2016 San Diego Science Education Conference

Kindergarten and First Grade Students at HIgh Tech Elementary North County engaged in a 12-week project that used the tidepool habitat as a context to explore animals’ needs for survival (K) and how the moon influences the Earth and its oceans (1). Incorporating Next Generation Science Standards, Common Core Math and Language Arts, as well as Deeper Learning Competencies, this science-focused project is a model for how and why Project Based Learning is an authentic, engaging, and meaningful way to develop skills and content knowledge with even the youngest of students. This project was a collaboration between teachers at High Tech Elementary North County (Shelley Glenn Lee/Science, Stephanie Lance/Kinder, Jamelle Jones/Grade 1.)