The science program incorporates interdisciplinary methods that open doors to greater complexity and real-world application. Labs require students to hone their data-interpretation skills to analyze scientific problems. In addition to mathematics, humanities, arts, Design Thinking, and engineering are woven into the science program through integrated cross-curricular projects. Students learn how to observe physical phenomena and form questions and theories supported by evidence. The goal is for all students to feel excited about science by discovering concepts and being able to apply or reuse those discoveries in unexpected places.
Fifth grade science is an integrated course framed around large scale system interactions and the diversity of life. The central aim of the course is to empower students as scientific thinkers and planetary stewards. Through the learning experiences this year, students will be introduced to these Nueva Transferable Science Skills they will refine throughout middle school:
Asking scientific questions
Constructing explanations
Developing and using models
Arguing from evidence
Planning and carrying out investigations
Evaluating science
Analyzing data
Communicating science
Sense of Place is the overall course theme, as students will be exploring our planet and gaining an understanding of their place in the Bay Area and in Earth’s ecosystems. Units include:
Rocks and Minerals
Marine Science
Cell Biology
Climate Change
Monterey Bay Ecology
Environmental Science Storytelling
For each of the four years of middle school, students cycle through one semester of Design Engineering and one semester of Computer Science, taught in the I-Lab by our faculty at the Hillsborough campus.
The fifth-grade Design Thinking, Engineering, and Computer Science class challenges students to use the design thinking process to transform their ideas into solutions to problems. The fall semester focuses on design engineering. Students practice skills and build confidence with parts of the design thinking process like brainstorming and prototyping, and new tools, such as Illustrator for the laser cutter and Tinkercad for the 3D-printer, and use them in a design thinking project. Students then focus on computer science through a series of activities and projects in the spring semester using JavaScript in the code.org platform. Students continue to develop their resilience as they are exposed to different programming concepts and lay the foundation for future CS classes.
For each of the four years of Middle School, students cycle through one semester of design engineering and one semester of computer science, taught in the I-Lab by our faculty at the Hillsborough campus. The fifth-grade Design Thinking, Engineering, and Computer Science class challenges students to use the design thinking process to transform their ideas into solutions to problems.
As part of the prototyping process, students also learn to use a variety of tools safely and responsibly, including the laser cutter, 3D printers, hand tools, shop tools, as well as how to prototype with electronics and physical computing platforms. Example projects in design engineering have included designing board games for children in hospitals and inventing methods to create more sustainable housing. At each step of the project, students are challenged to improve their skills with new engineering concepts, new tools or components, and to further refine their design process as they build their static structures, moving elements, engaging accessories, and whatever else they need to create an atmosphere of fun.