Science at Gillen Brewer
Gillen Brewer School has an inquiry-based science program, meaning that our students learn to investigate a topic or material for themselves and do their own experiments to find their answers. This inquiry-based method of teaching science has been adopted as the gold standard by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) as well as many other science education leaders, think tanks and graduate schools of education. Inquiry-based education is also a great fit for our population and allows us to use units that appeal to our students’ interests and developmental levels while following New York State standards.
Although we are located in a densely urban environment, Carl Schurz Park is in the neighborhood. This is a natural oasis where we take nature walks, search for bugs, explore local flora and birdwatch.
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To provide students with robust and hands-on experiences with real live animals, we work with a local petting zoo called the Art Farm in the City. Each month, Gabby Sachs from The Art Farm will be visiting each class at GBS with a different group of animals, including chinchillas, doves, lizards, guinea pigs and even hissing cockroaches! Over the course of the year, Gabby’s program reinforces many of the appropriate New York State standards.
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About Braque
Braque Hershberger has taught science at Gillen Brewer for 7 years. He worked with a consultant to develop the program in use today. Braque previously taught and led Gillen Brewer's oldest classroom, and his professional interests include curriculum development, crisis behavior management and the impact of socioeconomic factors on educational outcomes. Braque plays in a few bands in Brooklyn as well, writing songs and playing guitar and bass in the styles of folk rock and alternative country.
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