In Lower School, a dedicated Science Teacher lays a foundation for scientific inquiry, investigation, and reasoning. Additionally, the use of tools for scientific measurement and observation is taught explicitly at every level. Their scope of study includes the human body; animals and plants; water and weather; the Earth’s features, ecosystems, and habitats; the solar system; and physical forces together with basic machines.
In Middle School, in sixth grade, the scope of study is Earth Science including oceanography, a Hudson River estuary study, habitats, and weather. They end the year studying geology and astronomy.
In seventh grade, students study Life Science topics such as characteristics of Living/Non-Living things, plant and animal cells, and learning to use scientific tools and lab tools. In Lab, they also learn to collaborate on problem-solving and share responsibility with a lab partner. Students complete the year studying genetics, dominant and recessive genes, and bacteria.
In eighth grade, the final scope of study is Physical Science. Students study measurement and properties of matter. They focus on mass, volume, and density. They also study current ecological problems including the importance of safe drinking water and how science is critical in determining the quality of drinking water. Labs consist of experiments testing the presence of lead in water samples, and states of matter. A final unit on physics culminates in experiments for a Science Fair.
