The Anchorage School District (ASD) began its science education reform efforts in the late 1970’s when it adopted a kit-based hands-on science curriculum and the associated science materials center for grades K-6.  Prior to 1976, there was not a designated elementary science curriculum for science. A survey was sent from the science consultant John Cook and it turned out that there were 21 different types of science being taught. This ranged from teacher made units to Elementary Science Study (ESS), to text books, to movies, to no science being taught.

When Emma Walton was selected as the science consultant, she was told that the number one priority was to develop an elementary science program. She was sent to the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) national convention in 1975. The main purpose was to find a "text book" for ASD. What happened was that she met the Highline, Washington Science Coordinator. He had developed an elementary science program that was being highlighted at the convention.
The Highline program was based on a handson curriculum that was mainly patterned after the ESS program. What made the Highline program unique was that the district had developed a "science resource center" that delivered the curriculum and kits to the classrooms. After the teacher taught the unit, the kit was sent back to the science center where it was refurbished and was made ready for the next delivery to another teacher.

The ASD was given the curriculum that had been developed by the Highline District. Presentations were given to principals, credit courses were taught on the Highline topics and the central office administrators were made aware of the program. Marilyn Scott, Director of Media Services, pledged $19,000 to start the program in the district. A committee was formed to help with getting the program implemented. A key factor for the new program was the principals advisory group. Dr. Betsy Brown, Elementary director, had been a teacher who tested ESS materials and had made a movie of some of the units. She knew about the philosophy of hands-on science program and was supportive of the adoption of the new program. She along with the science coordinator formed the elementary principals advisory group. Once a month the principals came together and discussed the implementation of the new innovative program. One of the success strategies of the group was that Dr. Brown and the science coordinator prepared lunch for them.

To help with the move toward the new program, seven principals provided a portion of an FTE for a position of a science resource teacher. Anne Weiland was hired and she begin a mentoring program in the seven schools that had provided the FTE for her position. Marilyn Scott provided a clerk and arranged for the delivery and pick up of the kits. The implementation of the program begun in the spring of 1977. The first kit was delivered in January of 1978.Science in grades 7, 8 & 9 has also been progressive, adopting one of the first inquiry-based textbook series, SciencePLUS.

Over the years many changes have been made to the topics taught as well as the kinds of kits we have as our adopted curriculum.  A big change began in 1990 when the ASD Elementary Science Program was in the curriculum review process.  A Core Team of teachers designed a framework, and field-tested various kits before determining which should be adopted as the elementary science curriculum.

In 1995 national materials were adopted K-6 by the district for the first time and ASD was granted an NSF Local Systemic Change grant to assist in implementation of the new K-6 framework and to provide professional development for the teachers.  Our  NSF grant was finished in the fall of 2001.  During this time, middle and high school science in the Anchorage School District was part of a multi-school-district NSF grant to provide professional development in inquiry science and constructivist, learning cycle theory to teachers.

After the end of the NSF grant, our district has supported a number of science education initiatives at the K-6 level.  We have developed a leadership cadre that meets in study groups to reflect on teaching practice and to play leadership roles in science education in our district.  Teams from this group reviewed and selected science trade books, these were added to all science kits.  From 2001 to 2003 teams of teachers, community members and scientists reviewed, field tested, and revised the existing K-6 framework to make the K-12 curriculum more cohesive and standards based.  Most recently, our science materials center has planned and purchased shelving, counter and storage units to facilitate refurbishing the science kits in an efficient assembly line manner.

Immense thanks go to ASD's visonary leaders in Science Education, including:

Emma Walton, Science Curriculum Coordinator 1976-1987

Judy Hurlburt, Science Curriculum Coordinator, 1987- 1995

Donna York, Science Curriculum Coordinator, 1995-2000

Texas Gail Raymond, Science Curriculum Coordinator, 2000 - 2010