The 4th and 5th grade science curriculum covers Earth science, ecology, biology, environmental science, astronomy, chemistry, and physics. Our science topics often overlap, integrating material from different disciplines and focusing on real-life applications and our day-to-day surroundings. The natural environment, particularly the waterbodies and woods adjacent to our school, serve as a laboratory for many course studies. This connection to the outdoors and the selection of class units build interdisciplinary links, fostering students to be thinkers, investigators, engineers, naturalists, and problem solvers.
Students participate in individual and group work as they conduct labs and fieldwork, complete projects, and build technological knowledge. They act as engineers, use art to express their understanding, and apply simple math to evaluate data. Activities include writing scientific reports; making and analyzing charts, graphs, and maps; and taking part in formal and informal assessments. Science classes also collaborate with other academic departments for project-based learning opportunities. The learning environment is supportive, active, and explorative, encouraging students to consider their personal impacts on the Earth.
Throughout the year, students develop important academic and scientific skills that will aid their future studies. They work on scientific report writing, data collection and calculation, statistics, fieldwork, introduction to lab equipment, and graphing. Students also grow increasingly comfortable making observations, predictions, and inferences, and maintaining an organized scientific notebook. Their participation in labs, projects, activities, and discussions enhance the class, encourage deeper learning, and challenge students to excel in their work.