The Detroit Science Center this week announced a new free program to help teachers get their students ready for the science portion of the MEAP test.

"MEAP ME! at the Science Center" offers free September field trips to the science center, where students will get special MEAP science programming.

The trips will be offered Sept. 9 thorugh Sept. 30. Special MEAP programming will be offered for elementary schools on Tuesdays and Thursdays, middle school students on Wednesdays and high school students on Fridays.

The field trips will include:

* A game-show style MEAP Rally on the Chrysler Science Stage where students can compete to win a coveted MEAP ME! championship banner

* A MEAP scavenger hunt for the Science Center’s hands-on exhibits

* MEAP station demonstrations focusing on space, life and physical science and chemistry, with grade-appropriate activities at each station

* A DTE Energy Sparks Theater or Chrysler Science Stage live performance show

* An optional MEAP planetarium show for $3 per student

Schools that attend the MEAP ME! program and demonstrate improvement on their MEAP scores over the previous year will be rewarded with a free return trip to the Detroit Science Center in the 2008-2009 school year, including a Chrysler Imax Dome Theatre film and free pizza party.

Many schools that scored at or above the proficient level on the science portion of the fall 2007 eighth grade MEAP had visited the Detroit Science Center for a field trip in a prior school year. Additionally, research shows that science field trips aid in students’ retention of knowledge and create positive attitudes toward wanting to learn more about the subject matter.

For more information on how the Detroit Science Center’s exhibits, shows and programs relate to specific learning objectives outlined in the State of Michigan’s Grade Level Content Expectations, visit www.detroitsciencecenter.org/Education/pg5.pdf

Educators who are interested in reserving a MEAP ME! field trip should call the Science Center at (313) 577-8400, Option 5, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.