Authentic Learning Communities seeks to combine
the strengths of formal and informal learning in a seamless
learning experience at the higher elementary level.

The rationale includes:

• MST Standards stress the topics of communities, interrelationships, cycles, energy flow and change.
• These topics provide the context and overarching themes to integrate social studies themes with science topics while providing the necessary connection back to the real world where students are able to see science concepts readily applied.
• Through direct hands-on exploration and involvement with the natural communities, this project strives to create citizen scientists who will use the project as a springboard for continued real-world action and involvement.
• Document-based questioning skills and hands-on science skills are assessed at this level.

Authentic Learning Communities offered through BOCES's Cultural Enrichment Program

Authentic Leaning Communities is a packaging of programming offered to school districts exclusively through BOCES Cultural Enrichment programming. It combines the natural and human communities as a unifying concept to engage learners utilizing authentic specimens, artifacts, research, and experiences. Authentic Learning Communities is customized programming which combines field trips to the Museum and or Tifft Nature Preserve with outreach to the school and or schoolyard, and Distance Learning opportunities that meet grade level curricular needs and support the New York State MST Standards.

For more information, contact Karen Wallace, Director of the Center For Science Learning at (716) 896 5200 x 392 to learn more about this customized program.