Science is sometimes not taught at the elementary level simply because the materials management takes so much time. It takes a long time to acquire, organize, distribute, clean, and care for materials. As schools and systems work to deepen and improve science teaching, it's important to consider this needed prep time.
Fortunately I work in a shared model so I don't have to teach every subject with depth. This gives me a little more time than a teacher who is teaching all subjects, yet it's not enough time.
Similar to time, to teach science well requires space. That's why you find science labs in middle schools and high schools. Those rooms supply the needed space to complete experiments and science activities with needed equipment such as sinks and storage cabinets. Most elementary schools don't have that kind of equipment which further complicates the desire to teach science well.
What's a teacher to do?
Mystery Science is a very well designed program for elementary schools and elementary school educators. The instructional designer(s) who created this program clearly understood elementary schools since the learning experiences are well designed to fit into the elementary school teacher's day. Further the lessons appeal to educators who have little science teaching/learning space or materials.
Our school has purchased FOSS kits which are quite complex, but do include great science materials, related texts, and good activities. The challenge with FOSS is the work you have to do to fit those lessons into an average elementary school schedule and teaching environment--an environment that often doesn't have the space, sinks or schedule for the many lessons and materials you use. Nevertheless, I do like the depth that FOSS has, and am working to include that depth over time.
In the end, and as with all curricula, there is not a one-size-fits-all perfect curriculum for any teaching/learning environment. It's up to educators to study the materials and then make the lessons match their standards, students, teaching schedule and environment. This takes time, and I advise schools and systems to make the time for educators to be able to do this well.
