SDOC Teacher attends Science Training

In its goal to be one of the top 10 school districts in South Carolina, the School District of Oconee County has identified various instructional initiatives. One such initiative involves an increased emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics instruction, or STEM. The district encourages teachers to identify ways to be better STEM instructors. To this end, many teachers attended workshops and training opportunities over the summer to improve their craft. Roper Mountain Science Center, a facility of Greenville County Schools, announces that Laura Land, a teacher at Northside Elementary, attended the Science P.L.U.S. Institute this summer. The Institute, 100% funded by a South Carolina Education Improvement Act (EIA) grant, gives intensive training in science teaching methods and activities to public school science teachers from throughout the State of South Carolina. The Institute emphasizes the Center’s belief that all students deserve a good science education. Ginger Hopkins, Oconee County Schools Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, said, “We are fortunate to have many dedicated teachers, such as Ms. Land, who use their summer breaks to attend intensive trainings like this one at the Roper Mountain Science Center. These teachers come back better equipped not only to teach our students but to challenge our students.” Each school district that submitted applicants is represented by at least one teacher chosen to attend the Institute. In the Institute’s 23-year history, over 4,000 public school science teachers have participated in Science P.L.U.S. classes.