Lorie M. Johnson

To engage students in a variety of activities and experiments to construct their own knowledge of science concepts through questioning, experimenting, observing and journaling, Johnson proposed the creation of a science lab at Richard Elementary. Rather than simply read about butterflies, balls and ramps, magnets and sound waves in a textbook, Johnson's "Science Quest" project will provide an in-school science lab that allows approximately 120 first and second-grade students to become scientists by encouraging them to use their five senses to explore and experience science. This lab will include a sand and water table, a light table, Digital Blue microscopes, computer, Smart Board, Science books and magazines, tables for Science notebooking, magnifying glasses, test tubes and more. The goal of the lab is to provide a place where children can conduct inquiry-based explorations of scientific concepts and construct their knowledge through child-led and teacher-facilitated activities and experiments. Professors from Auburn University and other local science experts will be invited to visit the lab and extend lessons for Richard Elementary students. Johnson lives in Auburn.