In 1998, the NSF Division of Graduate Education initiated the GK-12 Fellowship Program to address the US crisis in K-12 science education while simultaneously providing opportunities for science graduate students to participate in a unique educational experience. Expected outcomes of the program include improved communication, teaching, and team building skills for the graduate student participants, professional development opportunities for the K-12 teachers, enhanced learning for the K-12 students, and strengthened partnerships between institutions of higher education and local school districts. In 2001, a team of science and science education faculty at Binghamton University received a Track 1 award to support science education in the Binghamton City School District with a focus on grades 3-6. While most GK-12 Fellowship awards concentrate efforts on secondary science education, the team at BU decided to emphasize elementary science education due to the tendency of younger students to harbor a large number of scientific misconceptions. The use of a research-informed, inquiry-based pedagogical approach to deliver high quality science lessons addressing such misconceptions will be discussed. This presentation will also highlight the challenges and rewards of working with elementary students in a high needs district.