Carol Saylor, Manheim Central School District superintendent, said that Burgard began participating in SIE last year as part of the state's pilot program.
"The elementary curriculum in general (in this country) focuses more on reading and writing," Saylor said. "This program brings science into the elementary schools. It's very hands-on, so it's far more interesting for the students. We hope that as a result students have much more interest in and do better in science."