Take your ideas to the school board. Once you can reach this group and the superintendent, you will be close to putting your ideas into practice. In most communities, if the school board believes that improving the science program is a priority, you will achieve your goals much more quickly than if it does not.

The journey to better science in your schools does not always go smoothly. For example, the principal or some of the teachers in your school may not see a pressing need for change. In that case, you may need to involve more community members to participate in discussions of relevant issues, such as how children learn, why science education is important, and what different parts of the community can do to help.

Promoting new ideas in the media can be a good idea. Invite a reporter from a local newspaper or TV station to cover a meeting where you will be talking about or demonstrating the new, hands-on science kits your group is considering recommending for your school. Through such publicity, more interested people may come forward.

As you work to reform science education in your community, do not be surprised if you encounter roadblocks along the way. Finding time for professional development, funding for new curriculum materials, and ways to handle competing pressures from other disciplines are just a few of the common obstacles. But the effort is worth it. Our children's future is in your hands.