The foundation of science education is the application of the scientific method, culminating in students independently conducting experiments and data analysis as part of science fair.   Students learn and experience scientific principles in hands-on lessons, science labs, STREAM labs, participating in citizen science programs and in building scientific models.  Also, students must use scientific reasoning and understanding in order to complete engineering challenges.  For example, 3rd grade students need to understand magnetic forces before designing a magnet-powered car. 

Click here for our Scientific Method Skills Map, which describes skills and lessons based on grade level.

Science Fair:  In 4th grade, students conduct their own experiment for the first time and compete in a science fair here at the school.  Winners of the 4th grade fair move on to compete in the MS Regional Lower Science Fair.  Middle school students also complete science fair projects in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades and the top performers are selected to compete at the MS Regional Upper Science Fair.  Top projects from the regional fairs qualify for the MS State Science Fair (7th-8th grades).  Three students from ACS in 2024 qualified for the state fair, and seven students qualified in 2025.  An ACS student won the Best of Fair award for 5th grade (he elected to do at home on his own and attended the fair with 4th) in 2024.  Another student won Best of Fair for 6th grade in 2025.

Weather Station:  ACS purchased a weather station using garden grant funds and students are able to check current weather conditions at any time, either at school or at home using the Weather Underground web site.

In elementary school, students build a foundation in digital literacy, computer applications, and basic computer skills.  This includes learning how to type, computer and internet navigation, troubleshooting, utilizing various software programs, and structuring algorithms through block-coding with either robots or educational programming sites.  

In middle school, students branch out into more complex computer skills, culminating in a high school credit in computer applications in 8th grade.   Students complete a variety of projects using Canva, Google Suite, Stop Motion App, iMovie, Sphero Edu, Lego Spike Education, Tinkercad, and more.  

Students use a wide variety of educational programs to learn all subjects as well as provide many opportunities to practice digital citizenship, responsible computer use, conduct research and communicate effectively.  For a full list of technology use, click here.

Engineering provides an opportunity to teach the design process in a fun and engaging way.  Students are challenged to break down problems into smaller sub-problems, brainstorm ideas, create a plan from those ideas, build a prototype, test the prototype, and then make adjustments based on those tests.  Practicing the engineering design process in many different iterations builds perseverance, grit, adaptability, and a growth mindset.  Students must embrace that failure and learning from mistakes is an essential part of the process.   As Thomas Edison famously said:  "I haven't failed, I've just found 10,000 ways it doesn't work."

Click here for our Engineering Design Process Skills Map, which describes skills and lessons based on grade level.

Mathematical reasoning is an essential life skill, as it is used to analyze problems, think logically, and make sound decisions in every day life and in the work force.  Math is more than memorizing formulas and manipulating numbers, it encourages critical-thinking, aids in decision-making, and provides evidence to justify solutions for the complex challenges we face in the world.  

ACS students in STREAM projects and activities practice math in a real-world context.  Examples include measuring ingredients in a cooking lesson, estimating how many plants we can grow in our garden beds, conducting data analysis for a science fair project, or calculating the price of a meal based on a given menu.