They begin to collect data, interpret and understand as they apply this information to solving problems and making decisions. Students plant a garden, study and care for animals in the science room, use lab equipment such as microscopes, scales and batteries, and they participate in individual science projects throughout the year. Environmental studies about our ocean, fresh and salt water areas, and the rain forest are special units of interest which students showcase for the rest of the student body during the year. For the 1994 Earth Day, students transformed their science room into an underwater environment, and on Earth Day '96 it became a rainforest. The children enjoy many outside speakers and special programs that coordinate with their studies.
Students learn to formulate, test and revise hypotheses in daily science classes.
In scientific investigations they construct and use operational definitions, manipulate variables, and interpret data in several ways. Fourth graders create their own circuit boards in an electricity unit, study the behavior of crayfish, investigate pond life on our campus, and experiment with everything from pendulums to jello. Fifth grade students participate in an extensive study of fresh and salt water environments. The development of a science project is another unit of classroom study, and after detailed information and instruction is given, students select and complete a project and display. In grade 6, students study life science and continue their investigation of the scientific method and scientific experimentation.