Kindergarten Science Curriculum

The Kindergarten Science curriculum encourages curiosity and problem-solving through hands-on exploration of the world around us.
Key Units of Study:
● Pushes and Pulls- Learn how objects move with pushes and pulls- Explore ramps, collisions, and force through fun experiments- Design a windmill to solve a simple problem
● Weather Wonders- Discover how the sun affects heat and light- Measure temperature and learn about seasons- Build shade structures and prepare for weather events like a meteorologist
● Squirrel! (Plants, Animals, and Habitats)- Understand the needs of living things- Explore animal habitats and how they adapt their environment- Build a model of a beaver dam and suggest ways to help local wildlife
Learning Skills Developed:
- Making observations and predictions- Asking questions and finding answers through investigation- Working with others to design, test, and improve solutions- Communicating ideas through drawings, discussions, and projects
Students learn to think like scientists by observing, experimenting, building, and sharing ideas in every unit.

1st Grade Science Curriculum

The 1st Grade Science curriculum sparks curiosity through hands-on investigations of animals, light, sound, and patterns in nature. Students ask questions, explore real-world problems, and design creative solutions using the engineering design process.
Key Units of Study:
● Feathered Phenomena- Explore how birds care for their young and how traits are passed down- Design tools inspired by bird beaks to help clean up litter in the school community
● Making Waves- Investigate how sound is made and how light travels- Design a device that uses light or sound to communicate over a distance
● X Marks the Spot (Optional)- Observe and describe patterns of the sun, moon, and stars- Explore how shadows change and how daylight varies across seasons
Skills Developed:
- Asking scientific questions and making predictions- Observing and recording patterns in nature- Designing and testing solutions to simple problems- Using models to explain scientific ideas- Communicating findings through drawing, building, and discussion
This curriculum helps students build a foundational understanding of how the natural world works—while encouraging them to think like young scientists and engineers.

2nd Grade Science Curriculum

The 2nd Grade Science curriculum encourages students to explore matter, Earth’s changes, and the interdependence of living things through hands-on investigations and engineering challenges.
Key Units of Study:
● What’s the Matter with Trash?- Explore solids and liquids, their properties, and how matter can change- Classify materials based on how they should be disposed to reduce waste
● Sandy Situation- Study how Earth’s surface changes slowly (like erosion) and quickly (like earthquakes)- Use the engineering process to design solutions to protect land from erosion
● Bee the Change- Investigate how plants grow and how animals help with pollination and seed dispersal- Create models showing how bees support plant life and ecosystems
Skills Developed:
- Asking scientific questions and making observations- Conducting investigations and recording data- Modeling scientific ideas using real-world examples- Designing and testing solutions through the engineering process- Understanding natural patterns and interdependence in ecosystems
Through engaging experiments and problem-solving activities, students learn to think like scientists and engineers while gaining a deeper appreciation for the world around them.

3rd Grade Science Curriculum

The 3rd Grade Science curriculum builds scientific thinking through exploration of forces, life cycles, environmental change, and engineering solutions. Students investigate real-world problems and construct explanations using evidence and reasoning.
Key Units of Study:
● Driving Forces- Explore how balanced and unbalanced forces affect motion- Investigate magnetic interactions and predict motion- Design and test vehicles to solve real-world problems
● Survival of the Fittest- Learn about life cycles and inherited traits in animals and plants- Study how traits and environmental factors influence survival- Research an organism and recommend it for habitat restoration
● Mayfly Mayhem (Stream Doctors)- Analyze environmental changes and their effects on ecosystems- Examine fossils, animal group behavior, and survival conditions- Design a filtration device to help reduce stream pollution
Skills Developed:
- Using models and data to explain scientific ideas- Making observations and drawing evidence-based conclusions- Applying the engineering design process to solve problems- Communicating scientific reasoning in writing and discussion- Collaborating to investigate, build, test, and improve solutions
Students develop critical thinking and environmental awareness through hands-on investigations, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.

4th Grade Science Curriculum

The 4th Grade Science curriculum builds scientific reasoning through real-world exploration of animal adaptations, energy transfer, Earth’s changing surface, and environmental solutions. Students investigate, model, and design as they develop explanations using claims, evidence, and reasoning.
Key Units of Study:
● Turtle Trouble- Learn how injuries affect plant and animal survival- Explore the internal and external structures of turtles and other organisms- Study sensory systems and how light helps animals respond to their environment
● Soccket Solution- Investigate different forms of energy and how energy moves and changes- Explore motion, heat, sound waves, and energy transfer in real-life contexts- Design an energy-harnessing device to solve a problem
● Geologic Journeys- Examine how Earth's surface changes over time through erosion, weathering, and natural disasters- Analyze rock layers, fossil evidence, and tectonic activity- Develop solutions to reduce flooding and environmental damage
Skills Developed:
- Asking scientific questions and forming evidence-based claims- Modeling scientific processes using diagrams, experiments, and writing- Applying the engineering design process to solve real-world problems- Communicating ideas through speaking, writing, and project presentations- Interpreting data and drawing scientific conclusions
Through observation, experimentation, and hands-on design, students learn to think like scientists and engineers while gaining a deeper understanding of the natural world.

5th Grade Science Curriculum

The 5th Grade Science curriculum builds scientific reasoning and environmental awareness through engaging investigations in chemistry, ecology, Earth systems, and space. Students use evidence-based thinking to explore real-world problems and engineer creative solutions.
Key Units of Study:
● Blast Off!- Explore properties and interactions of matter- Learn how chemical reactions can create new substances- Design and test fuel mixtures to launch a rocket
● Schoolyard Sustainability (Part 1)- Understand how energy flows through ecosystems- Model how matter moves among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment- Make recommendations to support biodiversity in the schoolyard
● Where’s the Water?- Investigate Earth’s systems and water distribution- Explore environmental issues like water scarcity and propose science-based solutions- Analyze how the geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere interact
● Becoming Banneker- Learn how Earth’s rotation and revolution affect time and patterns in the sky- Study gravity, the sun, shadows, and constellations- Create a working sundial to model Earth-space interactions
● Schoolyard Sustainability (Part 2)- Extend environmental learning by applying knowledge to a real-world habitat restoration project- Study invasive species and food chains- Design and implement plans to maintain schoolyard biodiversity
Skills Developed:
- Making claims supported by evidence and reasoning (CER format)- Using scientific models, graphs, and data to explain concepts- Applying the engineering design process to solve problems- Understanding ecological systems and environmental stewardship- Exploring astronomy, matter, and Earth science through hands-on projects
This curriculum helps students become thoughtful problem-solvers and responsible stewards of the environment, while developing strong scientific thinking and communication skills.