Educational Service District 105 is committed to preparing today's students for tomorrow's world.

The LASER (Leadership Assistance for Science Education Reform) program helps educators implement inquiry-based skills to teach science an approach that begins with what children already know and builds on their innate curiosity. It is an exciting way for students to acquire scientific knowledge, understanding, and abilities as a central aspect of their education – just as science is a central aspect of today’s world.

LASER provides researched-based teacher trainings in three curriculum strands: Physical Science, Earth Science/Technology, and Life Science. The training enables kindergarten through sixth grade teachers to implement inquiry-based science in their classrooms. ESD 105 has received LASER Grant funding and support since 2001-2002.

Using Science and Technology for Children (STC) units, we train teachers to teach children with age-appropriate concepts so students learn specific skills that assist them in acquiring the desire to learn and use science. Observing, measuring and identifying properties, and experimentation are key elements of the hands-on learning curriculum.

During the first two years of the ESD 105 LASER Project, approximately 120 teachers received in-depth inquiry-based science training. They, in turn, taught science to over 3,000 students using hands-on, minds-on methods.

A Science Education Cooperative has been formed with the express purpose of continuing the work that LASER began. Approximately 1,100 teachers from 22 school districts and two private schools will received inquiry-based science training. This means the LASER project (in conjuction with the Science Education Cooperative) will impact nearly 35,000 students during 2005-2006!

ESD 105 provides leadership to the South Central Washington LASER Alliance which includes 22 school districts and two private schools. The Alliance works to provide training and resources in a cost effective and collaborative manner. The South Central Washington LASER Alliance is one of nine Washington State LASER Alliances.

Michael Brown, ESD 105 Science Education coordinator, serves on the Washington State LASER steering committee. He is the co-director of the South Central Washington LASER Alliance, along with Mark Cheney, Yakima School District Instructional Coordinator for Math & Science. Mike was hired in July 2006 to replace Louise Fayette upon her retirement. His experience as an 8th grade science teacher at Selah Jr. High School for 22 years will greatly benefit the regional science effort.

LASER is a unique project in that it brings together support from state government, schools, teachers, administrators, scientists, engineers, corporate leaders and other community members in a partnership effort to deliver a learning tool that is closely aligned with the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements. Support is received from the Washington State Legislature, Pacific Science Center, Batelle Northwest, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL).

In addition, the Alliance partners with Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Seattle Pacific University, Washington State University professors who provide teachers with deep content knowledge covering the science strands taught in the region: Physical Science, Earth Science/Technology, and Life Science.

For additional science education information visit the National Science Foundation (NSF) Web site.

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