Science

Lower School Science encourages inquiry and exploration in ever-widening arenas. We start with students’ interests then move on to their bodies, the world around them and finally the impact people have on the earth and vice versa.

Teachers take a hands-on approach with projects, encouraging students to experiment and inquire scientifically. All grades spend time in the school garden, observing, planting and harvesting. Kindergartners study butterflies, other insects and different fibers – learning to weave with paper and cotton. Highlights for first grade students: carrying out pea/bean investigations, studying metamorphosis and making white light.

In second grade, Science is integrated with Social Studies as much as possible, so students explore volcanoes during studies of Mexico, ecosystems of Australia’s Barrier Reef and African Savannah. Making kaleidoscopes is an additional delight.

All grades spend time in the school garden, observing, planting and harvesting.

Field trips take third grade students to the source of their scientific studies, enabling them to see concepts concretely. They take particular pleasure in edible geology, their month-long study of decomposition and coming to grips with oysters!