Showcasing Science
Welcome to our Science Showcase page! Here, we proudly feature the creative and inspiring science projects, experiments, and discoveries made by our talented students in grades K-5. This page is dedicated to celebrating the curiosity, hard work, and imagination of our young scientists. Explore a variety of student work, from hands-on experiments to innovative presentations, and see how our students are exploring the wonders of science in exciting ways!
The 4th graders became problem-solvers, creators, and scientists. Through the Engineering Design Process, they explored real-world challenges, brainstormed ideas, built models, tested solutions, and improved their designs. Each step connects directly to 4th-grade science standards by combining science knowledge with engineering skills. Our students are growing as critical thinkers and innovators, ready to tackle challenges with curiosity and confidence.
Our 2nd grade explored the fascinating ways animals survive in nature. Aligned with Tennessee state science standards, students explained how animals use their body parts, behaviors, and habitats to find food, water, shelter, and protection by writing letters. Students discovered how animals depend on their habitats for survival while building communication, writing, and foundational science skills.
Bearden Elementary School’s 3rd grade students participated in a science unit project called Saving Salamanders, which focused on applying problem-solving skills to a real-world environmental challenge. After learning how salamanders depend on their habitat for survival, students explored the impact of a new road built through that habitat. Using Tennessee state science standards, they worked collaboratively to design solutions that would help salamanders safely cross the road without harm. Through research, planning, and model-building, students applied engineering practices to create innovative ideas such as tunnels, bridges, and safe passageways. The project not only strengthened their understanding of animal survival and human impact on ecosystems but also encouraged creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking in developing solutions to protect wildlife.
Second grade students are working on Tennessee state standards for Science by learning how different parts of a plant help it survive. They are exploring how roots take in water, stems support the plant, leaves make food through sunlight, and flowers help with reproduction. Through observations and hands-on activities, students are building an understanding of how each plant part plays an important role in helping the plant live and grow.
First graders at Bearden Elementary School learned about pumpkins as part of their study of plant life cycles and seasonal changes. They explored how pumpkins grow from seeds and why they are an important part of fall harvest traditions. To connect art and science, students used their fine motor skills to tear pieces of colored paper and create textured pumpkin collages. This hands-on activity helped them strengthen coordination while reinforcing their understanding of how pumpkins grow and their role in the autumn season.
In fourth grade at Bearden Elementary, students explore how fossils help us learn about plants and animals that lived long ago and how Earth’s surface has changed over time. They study how fossils form, where they are found, and what they reveal about Earth’s history. Students also investigate how natural processes such as erosion, weathering, and volcanic activity shape Earth’s features. By examining fossil evidence and Earth’s landforms, students discover how our planet has changed and continues to change through time.
Bearden Elementary School’s kindergarten students met the Tennessee science standard through a hands-on pumpkin exploration that engaged all five senses. Students observed, touched, smelled, and even listened to the sounds of pumpkins as they rolled and tapped them. They described the pumpkins’ colors, textures, and shapes in their writing, building vocabulary and observation skills. Working together, they counted the seeds inside, compared sizes, and discussed how pumpkins grow. Through these interactive activities, students deepened their understanding of a pumpkin's parts and life cycle while developing curiosity and scientific thinking in a fun, fall-themed investigation.
Bearden Elementary’s 3rd-grade students recently completed an exciting science project focused on helping others through creative design. Their challenge was to invent a special flashlight for a granny who has trouble carrying a traditional one. The students worked in teams to design lightweight, easy-to-hold flashlights that could turn on and off with simple switches. Through testing and teamwork, they learned about circuits, light, and problem-solving—proving that even young scientists can make a big difference!
Fifth-grade students explored Tennessee science standards by investigating why the Sun is our brightest star and how it compares to other stars. They learned that the Sun appears brighter because it is the closest star to Earth. Students also studied constellations, discovering that the Earth’s movement makes the stars appear to shift in the night sky, and examined our position in the Milky Way galaxy while comparing it to other galaxies in the universe.
To deepen their understanding, students researched individual stars and used 3D Doodle pens to create detailed models. They constructed and labeled models of the constellations in which their chosen stars could be found, as well as models of the galaxies that contained those stars. Finally, each student wrote an informative essay describing their star, its constellation, and its galaxy, demonstrating their mastery of key astronomy concepts.
Second graders at Bearden Elementary are exploring how creativity and problem-solving come together through the engineering design process. Students imagine, plan, and build their own snowflakes using a variety of materials. By testing and improving their designs, they learn how engineers think, work, and create—while discovering the beauty and uniqueness of every snowflake they make.
Bearden Elementary second graders are diving into their science standards with hands-on learning about weathering, erosion, and deposition. After studying how natural forces shape the Earth’s surface, students created colorful diagrams to show how “Weathering breaks it, erosion takes it, and deposition drops it off!” Their artwork proudly displays their growing understanding of how rocks and landforms change over time.
Animal Planet.MP4Bearden Elementary 5th graders applied the Tennessee State Science Standards for Life Science by designing unique animals that can walk, swim, and fly. Through this creative project, students explored heredity and genetics, including dominant and recessive traits, inherited and environmental traits, variations and their advantages, and instinct versus learned behaviors. Working collaboratively, each group produced an Animal Planet–style video showcasing how their hybrid creature could adapt and survive in its environment.
Third graders explored how weather and climate shape daily life, from the clothes people wear to the ways communities prepare for storms. Students learned about the layers of the atmosphere and how each one plays a role in Earth’s weather systems. To showcase their understanding, they created colorful posters illustrating the different layers of the atmosphere and their unique characteristics.
Fourth graders are investigating how Earth’s surface changes through natural events like earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions. Using their science standards as a guide, students are exploring ways people can prepare for and stay safe during these events. Through hands-on experiments, research, and model-building, they are learning how science helps communities understand Earth’s changes and protect the people who live on it.
Our 3rd graders are exploring how technology has changed over time! As part of their science standards, students are creating interactive timelines that show the evolution of tools, inventions, and everyday technology. From early communication devices to modern gadgets, they’re discovering how innovation shapes the way we live, learn, and connect.
Our 5th graders are putting their knowledge of force, motion, and the engineering design process into action! Students are designing and building their own Create-O-Bots—innovative robots engineered to complete a series of challenges. Through testing, refining, and competing, they’re demonstrating mastery of scientific concepts while applying creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Homeroom Battle Results
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Fifth-grade students took on an exciting STEM challenge inspired by a survival scenario—being stranded on an island and needing to catch fish for food. Using only the materials provided in their kits, such as aluminum foil, wooden dowels, yarn, and foam cups, students designed and built their own fish catchers. They tested their prototypes to see if they were waterproof, easy to use, and capable of catching multiple plastic fish from a distance.
After completing their engineering challenge, students extended their learning through writing. Each student chose to craft a narrative, opinion, or informational piece—either telling a story about using their fish catcher on the island, explaining how to use it, or sharing their opinion on its success. This project integrated multiple Tennessee state ELA and science standards, connecting hands-on problem-solving with their ELA unit on survival.
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Third graders are becoming data-driven decision makers! Using rainfall and weather data from around the world, students are analyzing patterns to decide whether an event should be held in a specific location—and when the best time of year would be. They’re sharing their findings through colorful posters that combine science, math, and persuasive writing to support their conclusions.
Our 2nd-grade researchers took over the library to explore the fascinating world of biological survival! Guided by Tennessee State Standards for Science and ELA, students investigated how physical and behavioral adaptations allow living things to thrive in their environments. Through creative "habitat swaps"—like imagining a blubber-clad Polar Giraffe or a water-storing Desert Beaver—students practiced gathering facts from informational texts and organizing their findings into descriptive writing. From the nitrogen-seeking Venus Flytrap to the heat-shielding burrow of a Desert Monkey, our young scientists are mastering the art of research while discovering how life survives against the odds.
BES third graders are mastering Tennessee science standards by identifying, classifying, and labeling objects in space. Through hands-on investigations and interactive lessons, students explore planets, stars, moons, and other celestial bodies. Their work demonstrates a growing understanding of the solar system and the ability to organize scientific information with accuracy and curiosity.
