Centennial Education Committee Discusses 21st Century Science and Math

The Education Committee of Centennial's School Board discussed plans for the construction of the 21^st Century Learning Lab at William Tennent and their hopes for implementing a new system of math education into the curriculum for grades K-5 at its Monday evening meeting.

With the closing of McDonald Elementary slated for 2012, the district plans to move the planetarium to the high school and construct an entire distance learning center around it.  Members of the board are hopeful that the entire project will be completed by the time Tennent opens its doors to students in the fall of 2011.   

William Tennent High School Science Teacher Philip Vinogradov showed a brief video detailing the vision for Tennent’s 21^st Century Learning Lab to those in attendance at the meeting.

Vinogradov, who is playing an instrumental role in the new facility’s construction, is excited by the potential the project holds. 

“We thought, if we’re going to move the planetarium, let’s make it so much more than it already is,” he said.  “We’re envisioning a truly dynamic facility - one that will foster 21^st century skills and literacy.  It’s really new ground and it’s really exciting.” 

He described the design for the new building as a labor of love and said the plans favor software over hardware solutions.   

Vinogradov said this approach will significantly reduce costs and keep the project in line with the $200,000 budget the district has allotted towards it.   

Superintendent Foight-Cressman assured the committee that the district plans to 'budget higher and spend lower" in order to make the project an economically feasible one.           

Also at the meeting, Centennial's Director of Elementary Education Dr. Donna Dunar gave a presentation on behalf of the Curriculum Resource Teachers. 

Dunar outlined the teacher's hopes to implement Everyday Math as the primary resource for teaching math to students at the elementary level, from kindergarten through grade five. 

Dunar said the Curriculum Resource Teachers did an extensive study, analyzing the pros and cons of modern math teaching methods including Envision (which is currently being used in the Council Rock District) and Everyday Math. 

She said based on the study’s findings, the choice was clear:  the teachers felt that Everyday Math gave elementary level students the best edge when it comes to developing lifelong math proficiency.   

“In my role as director of elementary education, it’s my responsibility to monitor, evaluate, and implement program renewal,” said Dunar.  “Looking at the needs of the 21^st century learner, it’s very different now from what it was 10 years ago.  

Dunar said the teachers looked at the top five programs available and weighed each against what the district is currently using, in terms of what is practical and in terms of standards. 

"We have to implement a program that can be readily integrated without the teachers having to do gymnastics," she said.  "Everyday Math overwhelmingly had the most evidence pointing towards success.”         

Dunar said the planned phase-in for Everyday Math into the elementary curriculum would be the 2011-12 school year for grades K-2 and 2012-13 for grades, 3, 4, and 5.   

Both the plans for the learning lab and the plans for the new matematics curriculum will be brought before the full school board for approval at the next board meeting, Tuesday, March 8.