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.

A Science Education Cooperative has been formed with the express purpose of continuing the work that LASER began. Approximately 950 teachers from 22 school districts and two private schools will have received inquiry-based science training by the end of the 2005-2006 school year. 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.

Louise Fayette, ESD 105 Science Education coordinator, serves on the state's LASER steering committee. She is the co-director of the South Central Washington LASER Alliance, along with Mark Cheney, Yakima School District Science specialist.

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).

Additionally, the Alliance partners with Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Seattle Pacific University, Washington State University, and Yakima Valley Community College professors who provide teachers with deep content knowledge in various scientific fields.

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

Major Support and Funding of

is provided by: