Rebecca Knipp

Knipp's "SDIS's Alphabet Soup of Experiments" project aims to increase attendance and test scores by taking a cross-grade level approach to learning. Leading a team of science teachers and other faculty including Sally Taylor, Dawn Bugni and Chris McCann, Knipp has her sixth grade students conduct a series of science experiments. Each experiment is tied to a letter in the alphabet, and the sixth graders present these them to kindergarten classes where students are learning their ABCs. This helps the sixth graders increase their knowledge of the scientific concepts behind their experiments, and benefits the kindergarten classes as they learn their letters. In addition, it promotes a love of learning and science that builds self-confidence and gives students a reason to want to come to school.