South Fayette Township School District

	What is Asset Science? "The mission of ASSET Inc. is to achieve a self-sustaining exemplary science and technology education program in the elementary grades by promoting professional development, teacher support, collaboration, and quality hands-on material."
	Asset, Allegheny Schools Science Education and Technology Inc., was created by 16 school districts in Allegheny County in an effort to improve science education and revolutionize the way science is taught in our schools. Asset promotes inquiry-based learning, allowing students to construct their own understanding through questioning, analyzing information, and communicating with others. The company sends a kit full of supplies for an entire class (for eight weeks of study) to the school. This kits contains hands-on materials which students use to explore and discover science concepts. These experiences lead to a greater understanding of concepts because the science principles become real. Students work cooperatively to build analytical skills such as observing, recording data, categorizing, making journal entries, and communicating results. All teachers participate in professional development programs to learn to effectively use Asset science kits. The teacher's role in an Asset unit is to guide students in their exploration.
	Click here to visit Asset Science's web site.
	What science units will my child use?
	Each grade participates in two Asset Science units a year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Click on the units for a more detailed description of what the students will learn.
	First Grade - Weather and Organisms
	Second Grade - The Life Cycle of a Butterfly and Changes
	Third Grade - Rocks and Minerals and Plant Growth and Development
	Fourth Grade - Electric Circuits and Animal Studies

First Grade - Asset Science

	The Weather unit allows students to explore changes in daily weather through observation. Graphs and charts are created by students based on current weather changes. Students also learn about the different kinds of weather. Learning how to read a thermometer and creating a thermometer is also part of this unit.
	The Organisms unit provides students with the opportunity to observing living things. Students create and take care of a terrarium and an aquarium. Living in terrarium are plants pill bugs, millipedes, and beetles. The aquarium is made up of plants and guppies. Students learn describe the characteristics of the organisms through observation.

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Second Grade - Asset Science

	The Life Cycle of a Butterfly unit provides students provides students with the opportunity to observe the entire life cycle of butterflies. Students learn about the growth and changes that occur from larva to butterfly, and the differences between insects and spiders. A big release party is held when the caterpillars mature.
	The Changes unit allows the students to explore basic chemistry. They discover various mixtures and solutions. Children use common household liquids, like vinegar and lime juice, to create chemical changes. They discuss the characteristics of a chemical reaction. Student will learn how filtration and evaporation can be used to separate various mixtures.

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Third Grade - Asset Science

	The unit of Rocks and Minerals provides a study of many different specimens. Student observe the characteristics of the minerals and perform multiple tests on each mineral to determine factors such as hardness, luster, and if the mineral is metallic/non metallic.
	The Plant Growth and Development Unit provides students with the opportunity to observe the entire life-cycle of a plant from seed to seed. Students plant the seeds, pollinate them, and then harvest the seeds. Students learn about the role of bees in pollination as well as the anatomy of a flower and a bee.

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Fourth Grade - Asset Science

Throughout the unit of Electricity, students learn how circuits work. They design and make their own working flashlight complete with a switch. Students also design and build a house that is completely wired with a working light in each room. The houses are presented at a special "Open House" with the parents invited.

The Animal Studies unit provides students with the opportunity to observe animals in their habitats. The students are responsible for taking care of the three habitats on their table. Students observe the animals (land snails, fiddler crabs, and dwarf African frogs) and record their observations in a log just like a real scientist. They learn about different habitats, ways animals adapt to their habitat, ways animal protect themselves and how animals interact with each other.

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