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Germantown selects Smithsonian resource for K–5 science pilot, plans spring classroom tests
Summary
District staff recommended piloting a Smithsonian K–5 science resource this spring to test usability, professional learning needs and student outcomes; results will feed an adoption decision later this school year.
Germantown School District staff told the Teaching & Learning committee on Jan. 13 they narrowed three candidate K–5 science programs to one — a Smithsonian‑produced resource — and propose a spring pilot to test classroom usability and student learning.
Jake Niziak, who presented the framework, said the science review used a screening tool aligned to Wisconsin state science standards to evaluate Open Science Ed, MiSci and the Smithsonian product. "We narrowed pretty quickly to resources that...and that was the one from Smithsonian," he said, adding the district wants to evaluate how easily teachers can use the kit, the alignment to standards and professional‑learning needs.
The pilot would include at least one unit per grade level, pre‑ and post‑assessments (no statewide MAP science assessment is available), classroom walk‑throughs, and a rubric‑based review similar to the district's prior reading pilot. Niziak said the district will bring teachers beyond the review committee into the pilot to broaden classroom feedback.
Trustees asked whether pilot units could be compared with non‑pilot classrooms; Niziak said some engagement and disposition measures can be compared but cautioned against direct academic comparisons when curricula align differently across units.
Next steps: If the teaching committee agrees, administration will bring a request for action to the February committee meeting and then to the full board for approval to begin the spring pilot.
