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Overview
The goal of the K-6 science program is to cultivate a deep understanding and appreciation of science concepts in young students through an inquiry-based and hands-on learning approach. By integrating the core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and science and engineering practices outlined in the NGSS, the program aims to develop students’ skills of asking questions, sense-making, and working with evidence. It encourages students to explore natural phenomena while engaging in collaborative investigations and engineering projects. The program also strives to make science relevant and accessible to all students, preparing them to be informed citizens capable of making thoughtful decisions about the world around them.
Units of Study
Energy/Electricity
During this unit, students will engage in the inquiry process to develop a deeper understanding of different forms of energy, including how energy transforms from one form to another, with a special focus on electricity.
Throughout this unit, students will have the opportunity to work as a scientist by designing and conducting investigations while focusing on changing only one variable at a time to determine its effects. They will have the opportunity to build devices with Snap Circuits, a hands-on tool that allows students to see how electrical circuits work. Using Snap Circuits, students will construct simple machines that demonstrate energy transformations, such as turning electrical energy into light, sound, or motion.
Earth's Changing Surface
Our journey begins with a fascinating phenomenon: How did a whale fossil end up at the top of a mountain? This intriguing question will serve as the foundation for our studies, sparking curiosity and guiding our investigations into mountain formation, fossil formation, and erosion.
Students will work collaboratively to create models, complete with labeled diagrams and detailed explanations, to hypothesize how marine fossils could be found in such unexpected places. As their understanding deepens through literacy-based, hands-on experiences, and working with maps, students will have the opportunity to continuously revise and improve their models.
In addition, students will virtually meet a structural engineer who focuses on changes in Earth and designs earthquake resistant buildings. They will take on the role of engineers as they plan, build, test, and improve models of earthquake-resistant structures. This process will involve strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and persistent effort as they conduct tests and collect data on variables such as shape and weight distribution. Using this data, students will design and refine their structures to meet specific criteria and constraints.
Throughout this unit, our fourth graders will demonstrate the qualities of Disciplined Thinkers as they apply their knowledge, think critically, and collaborate effectively. They will develop a deeper understanding of the dynamic processes that shape our planet and the importance of engineering in building resilient communities.
Properties of Matter
This unit will engage our fourth graders in understanding what happens to the waste we produce and the impact it has on our environment. Through a series of hands-on investigations and thoughtful discussions, students will gain valuable insights into waste management and sustainability.
Our journey begins with a phenomenon: Where does our trash go, and what happens to it? Students will explore this question by learning about landfills and the processes involved in waste decomposition. We will discuss matter and the types of changes it can undergo, focusing on physical and chemical changes. Our investigations will include burying different materials, such as plastic and glass, to observe if and how they change over time.
Students will also conduct experiments to understand what happens to food waste when it is buried and the variables that affect its decomposition. As part of this exploration, students will learn about the states of matter and how liquids and gasses from landfills can impact our environment.
In addition to scientific investigations, our students will work as engineers to design, build, and test small models of landfills that meet specific criteria. This hands-on engineering challenge will help them apply their learning in a practical and creative way.
We will address the current trash situation in Connecticut, including the recent closure of one of the state's five trash-to-energy plants. This closure means that much of our waste now has to be shipped to landfills in Pennsylvania and Ohio. This real-world context will help students understand the importance of reducing the amount of waste we produce and exploring alternatives such as using reusables, recycling, and composting.
As civic-minded contributors, our students will take action based on their learning. They will decide as a class on a project or initiative to help reduce waste and promote sustainability in our community.
Ways to Support Your Child in Science
Here are ways families can engage in and extend learning at home in our Energy/Electricity Unit.
Visit Energy Kids by the U.S. Energy Information Administration: This site provides fun, interactive activities and explanations on energy forms, sources, and electricity.
Conduct Home Energy Audits: Help your child look around your home for devices that use energy and have them consider ways to conserve energy by turning off lights and unplugging electronics.
Exploratorium Science Snacks: The Exploratorium offers a collection of "Science Snacks" — mini-projects and experiments — including several that explore energy transformations and electricity.
Build Circuits at Home with Online Simulations: Use websites like PhET Interactive Simulations, which offers free circuit-building activities that simulate how electrical circuits work.
Conduct simple experiments: Encourage your child to create simple circuits using circuit kits such as Snap Circuits, and Little Bits, or explore solar-powered building kits. Supervise and assist them as they experiment with learning how electricity or solar energy flows.
Explore everyday examples: Discuss with your child how various household appliances work. Explain the role of electricity in powering devices like televisions, refrigerators, and lights. Point out examples of conductors and insulators in your home.
Visit science museums: Take your child to a local science museum or a hands-on science center where they can interact with exhibits related to electricity and energy. These visits can make learning fun and provide real-world applications of what they are studying.
Engage in DIY projects: Work on simple DIY engineering projects together, such as building a flashlight or creating a basic electromagnet. These hands-on activities can help your child understand energy transformations and the practical applications of electrical concepts.
Explore energy conservation: Discuss the importance of conserving energy and ways to save electricity at home. Involve your child in energy-saving activities like turning off lights when not in use, using energy-efficient bulbs, and unplugging devices. Explain how conserving energy helps the environment and reduces electricity bills.
Here are ways families can engage in and extend learning at home in our Earth's Changing Surface Unit.
Discuss real-world examples: Talk about real-world examples of mountain formation, fossil discoveries, and erosion. Watch documentaries or read articles together to see how these processes occur in nature.
Visit a science museum or geological site: Plan a trip to a local science museum or a geological site. Many museums have exhibits on fossils, mountain formation, and earth science that can provide a hands-on learning experience. The Peabody Museum in New Haven recently reopened after renovations.
Read books about earth science: Explore age-appropriate books about earth science, fossils, and geology.
Engage in building projects: Encourage your child to design and build their own structures using household materials. Discuss how different shapes and materials can affect the stability and strength of their creations.
Extend the learning: Try out an engineering challenge from Science Buddies (check out the engineering challenges from past years).
Here are some ways families can engage in and extend learning at home during the Properties of Matter Unit.
Discuss waste management at home: Talk with your child about how your family manages waste. Discuss practices like recycling, composting, and reducing waste by using reusables.
Visit a recycling center or landfill: Plan a visit to a local recycling center or landfill to see firsthand how waste is managed. Many facilities offer tours that can provide valuable insights.
Conduct home experiments: Try simple experiments at home, such as composting food scraps or observing the decomposition of different materials. Discuss the results and what they reveal about waste and decomposition.
Read books and watch documentaries: Explore age-appropriate books and documentaries about waste management, recycling, and environmental conservation. Discuss what you learn together.
Take action as a family: Choose a family project to reduce waste, such as starting a home composting system, organizing a neighborhood clean-up, or creating a recycling plan for your household.
Extend the learning: Try out an engineering challenge from Science Buddies (check out the engineering challenges from past years).
We look forward to the discoveries and actions that will emerge from this unit. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child’s learning!
Additional Resources for Science
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