K-5 Science

Science at Mack (K–5)

At Mackintosh Academy, our K–5 science program is designed to spark curiosity and nurture a deep understanding of the natural world. Students engage in hands-on, inquiry-based investigations that encourage them to ask questions, make connections, and see themselves as scientists. 

Science learning is closely tied to our Units of Inquiry and is enriched through weekly collaboration between classroom teachers, our design specialist, and our middle school science teacher, ensuring a seamless progression of skills from kindergarten through fifth grade.

In kindergarten, students begin by exploring forces and motion and the distinction between living and non-living things, laying the foundation for scientific observation and classification. First graders investigate the five senses and the fascinating world of plants, while second graders expand their focus to include the four R’s—reduce, reuse, recycle, rot—alongside studies of the human body and the relationship between land and water.

By third grade, learners take a closer look at nutrition and food science as well as ecosystems, examining how living things interact and depend on one another. Fourth graders dive into animal studies and begin to explore the complexities of the human brain, building both scientific knowledge and empathy for living beings. Fifth grade students take on more sophisticated work, learning the principles of experimental design, data collection, and graphing while also exploring microbiology, preparing them for the depth of study in middle school science.

Our collaborative approach ensures that science at Mack is not just about learning facts. It’s about thinking like scientists: asking meaningful questions, testing ideas, and reflecting on discoveries. By the time our students move into middle school, they have developed a strong foundation in both content knowledge and scientific thinking, as well as a genuine excitement for exploring how the world works.