All fourth, fifth, and sixth graders in the Irvine Unified School District receive 120 minutes of hands-on science instruction each week. An additional 60 minutes of science instruction is provided by each child's classroom teacher. This program is unique among Orange County school districts!
This comprehensive science program includes a balanced curriculum including Earth, Life, and Physical Science as well as Investigation and Experimentation skills. Additionally, all students receive instruction and practice in the Scientific Method and students are required to complete a Science Fair project.
The IUSD Elementary Science Specialist Program is funded by the Donald Bren Foundation and reflects the priority that the Irvine Community and Board of Education place on elementary science education. This partnership ensures that the IUSD Elementary Science Specialist Program is one of the best in the state of California and the nation.
In 1987 the Elementary Science Specialist Program received the Ohaus Award for Innovation in Elementary Science Teaching from the National Science Teachers Association.
