A program to enhance K-12 science education in ten rural New York school districts

The Rural Partnership for Science Education, designed by educators and scie ntists in 1991 with funding from the national Institutes of Health, works i n two rural New York State counties with students and their teachers from k indergarten through grade 12 to improve pre-college science education. The Partnership is an alliance among ten rural New York school districts and se veral New York State institutions (e.g., a regional academic medical center ; the New York Academy of Sciences; and others), and has activities that in volve around 4,800 students and 240 teachers each year. The authors describe the program's activities (e.g., summer workshops for t eachers; science exploration camps for elementary and middle-school student s; enrichment activities for high school students). A certified science edu cation specialist directs classroom demonstrations thoughout the academic y ear to support teachers' efforts to integrate hands-on activities into the science curriculum. A variety of evaluations over the ears provides strong evidence of the program's effectiveness in promoting students' and teachers ' interest in science. The long-term goal of the Partnership is to inspire more rural students to work hard, learn science and enter the medical profe ssions.