Science
RPS Science empowers all students to engage in evidence-based and authentic learning by providing teachers and schools with professional learning, materials, and curriculum resources that promote hands-on exploration, data collection and analysis, a sense of place, and discourse on issues related to science and society.
5E/Constructivist Model of Instruction
In RPS, we are moving towards district-wide use of the 5E model of science instruction, focusing on providing students with an opportunity to experience and probe a concept prior to being provided anything that might be considered “formal” direct instruction. The 5E model is a well-researched and studied model, with a large bank of evidence supporting it as being effective in helping students with meaning-making, skills, and concept acquisition.
RPS Environmental Literacy Plan
Richmond is lucky to have a large quantity of natural resources within and near the urban center that can be leveraged for learning. RPS Science will work with teachers and our partners (James River Association, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, James River Park System, Blue Sky Fund) to develop programming in schoolyards, neighborhoods, and public greenspaces that will engender in our students a sense of place and connection to their local and global environment. The RPS Environmental Literacy Plan, created by RPS students and teachers in collaboration with community partners, provides a framework to guide this important work.
Science Curricula
The RPS Science Comprehensive Curricula supports high quality science instruction aligned to the Virginia Department of Education’s Science Standards of Learning for students and teachers in grades pre-K through 12. Teachers have access to print and digital resources, hands-on learning experiences that develop science and engineering practices, research-based assessment strategies designed to build student discourse and inquiry skills, and 5E lesson plans aligned to each grade band’s SOL Curriculum Framework. RPS Science also seeks to build capacity and efficacy in teachers, administrators, and support staff through meaningful professional development opportunities, instructional coaching, and curriculum writing and development. RPS science prioritizes student-centered instruction and values collaboration with other RPS departments to support the access of all students to the science comprehensive curricula. RPS Science also values its community partnerships and focuses on ensuring that students are afforded authentic and meaningful learning experiences in the wider community.
