Science Updates K-5

What an amazing beginning to the school year we have had in science!!!

All of our young scientists have been working hard in so many areas of our S.T.E.A.M program. Here are a few of the highlights from our units of study:

Kindergarten – We have been working on our States of Matter unit, exploring properties of the three most common states of matter, solids, liquids and gases.  Students have observed, measured, described and performed as molecules themselves as we experimented with all three forms!

First Grade – Our first grade scientists have been exploring the concept of light and how we see objects around us.  In this unit, students observed objects using sight. Students develop an understanding of the relationship between the availability of light and our ability to see objects. Students explore the idea that light travels from place to place. They planned and carried out investigations to observe the effect of placing objects of different materials in the path of a beam of light.

Second Grade – Students have been studying the properties and patterns of water. Students have described and experimented with the density of liquids, as well as, experiments involving the bouyancy of objects in different liquids.

Third Grade – Students explored diverse life cycles and examined how traits are inherited but can also be affected by the environment. They used evidence to show how the environment influences the expression of traits in plants and animals. They constructed arguments to explain how animals may also form groups to survive. Students explored cause and effect relationships between organisms and their environment in order to develop an understanding of patterns that exist in nature through the use of models. Students analyzed and interpreted data to determine the similarities of traits between parents and offspring. Students also documented their findings based on recognizing patterns in the environment that relate to climate and its effects on the diversity of organisms.

Fourth Grade – Students asked and defined questions about the relationships between organism structures and their function. Students explored ways that both internal and external structures of plants and animals support their survival within their environments. Using models, students investigated ways that animals use their senses to gather, process, and respond to information in different ways. They developed and used models that demonstrate an understanding that reflected light allows objects to be seen by the eye, which relates to animals use of sense receptors. Using evidence from models and investigations to support their analysis, students constructed arguments that support an understanding of the relationship between structures and survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.

Fifth Grade – Students gained an understanding of the particle nature of matter and the idea that regardless of physical or chemical change, the total amount of matter is conserved. Students made observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties and conduct investigations to determine whether the mixing of two or more substances results in new substances. Students planned and carried out fair tests, using controlled variables and identifying failure points to improve aspects of a model or prototype.

All in all an outstanding beginning to our science program. Stay tuned for our upcoming units and experiments to follow!

Mr. Dennis