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.
The two units used by South Fayette's first graders are: Weather and Organisms.
You can read more about what the students will learn in below

 

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 observe living things. Students create and take care of a terrarium and an aquarium. Living in the terrariums are plants, pill bugs, millipedes and beetles. The aquarium is made up of plants and guppies. Students learn to describe the characteristics of the organisms through observation.