Mission

To provide leadership and build coherent science systems that support high-quality, standards-aligned instruction, empowering educators to provide every student with meaningful scientific inquiry, discourse, discovery, and innovation.

The Norfolk Public Schools Science Office partners with educators to build instructional capacity, implement coherent science systems, and design engaging, phenomenon-driven science learning experiences that empower every student.

Vision

Every Norfolk Public Schools student will become a scientifically literate learner who asks meaningful questions, investigates authentic phenomena, analyzes evidence, solves complex problems, and applies scientific knowledge to improve their community and the world.

Core Values

Inquiry – We cultivate curiosity by engaging learners in meaningful questions and authentic investigations.

Discovery – We deepen understanding through scientific sensemaking, discourse, and evidence-based reasoning.

Innovation – We empower learners to apply science and engineering to solve problems and improve their communities.

Instructional Priorities

Leadership
How do we strengthen educators?

Strengthen educator capacity by providing high-quality professional learning, fostering collaboration, and supporting continuous improvement in science instruction.

Systems
How do we support high-quality science instruction?

Build and sustain coherent, vertically aligned science systems that provide educators with standards-aligned curriculum, high-quality instructional resources, meaningful assessment, and differentiated support to ensure equitable learning opportunities for every student.

Instruction
What does excellent science instruction look like?

Promote rigorous, phenomenon-driven instruction that empowers students to make sense of the world through scientific inquiry, academic vocabulary, scientific discourse, evidence-based reasoning, and the authentic application of the Scientific and Engineering Practices.

Student Success
What do we want every student to become?

Empower every student to become a scientifically literate problem solver who demonstrates curiosity, critical thinking, and responsible decision-making while applying science and engineering to improve their community and the world.