SCIENCE 

OVERVIEW 

Number of faculty: All Primary and Intermediate Classroom Teachers, Two Middle School Teachers 

The Science curriculum at St. James Academy is delivered in two basic formats; lecture and experimentation using multi-sensory learning approaches. Success at varying ability levels encourages positive attitudes and interest toward science. Science experiences are designed to increase awareness of self and surroundings through a discovery approach. 

Students at all levels work in cooperative groups to model real life scientific experiences that are both activity and inquiry based to solve problems, promote interaction, and develop socialization skills. Students explore the relationship between science and technology and the effect of both on our society as a whole. Computer software is utilized at all levels to facilitate project based learning. 

Middle School students experience and utilize previous learnings in challenging environmental/outdoor venues (offsite and onsite at outdoor classroom located at lower field), which allow them to demonstrate team building, communication, and responsibility. 

By encouraging exploration and open-ended investigation, students develop research skills, problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making, while covering grade level content and concepts. Integration of outside specialists and utilization of existing physical plant and landscape facilities enhance global awareness, environmental responsibility, and encourage a belief in the relevance of scientific study to daily life.

 GOALS: KINDERGARTEN - GRADE EIGHT

Students will:

• Demonstrate their acquisition and integration of major concepts and unifying themes from the life, physical, and earth/space sciences;
• Demonstrate the ability to interpret and explain information generated by their exploration of scientific phenomena;
• Demonstrate ways of thinking and acting inherent in the practice of science;
• Demonstrate positive attitudes and confidence toward science and new technologies and their relevance to the individual, society, and the environment;
• Demonstrate the ability to employ the language, instruments, computers, methods and materials of science for collecting, organizing, interpreting, and communicating information;
• Demonstrate the ability to apply science in solving problems and making personal decisions about issues affecting the individual, society, and the environment;
• Utilize the scientific method in presentations to the school community;
• Develop and use creative and critical thinking with a science application.