Science: Exploring Our World Through Curiosity and Discovery

Science is about asking questions, exploring the world, and discovering how things work. In fifth grade, students investigate Earth's systems, the properties of matter, and how living things interact within ecosystems. Through hands-on investigations and engineering challenges, students learn to think like scientists by asking questions, gathering evidence, solving problems, and communicating their discoveries.

Rather than simply memorizing facts, students learn to investigate real-world phenomena, think critically, and explain their ideas using evidence. Science encourages curiosity, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for the incredible world around us.

What Will My Child Learn?

🌎 Characteristics & Interactions of Earth's Systems

Students investigate how Earth's four major systems—the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere—work together to shape our planet. They explore weather, water, natural resources, and natural hazards while learning how changes in one system can affect the others.

Students will learn to:

• Understand Earth's major systems and how they interact.

• Explore how water moves through Earth's systems.

• Investigate weather, landforms, and natural processes.

• Learn about natural hazards and their impacts.

• Discover ways people can responsibly use and protect Earth's resources.

⚛️ Properties & Changes of Matter

Students explore the characteristics of matter and investigate how materials change. Through hands-on experiments, they observe physical and chemical changes while discovering that matter is conserved, even when it changes form.

Students will learn to:

• Describe and compare the properties of matter.

• Measure matter using mass and volume.

• Observe physical and chemical changes.

• Understand that matter is conserved.

• Use evidence to explain changes in matter.

♻️ Cycling of Matter & Flow of Energy in Ecosystems

Students investigate how living things depend on one another and their environment. They explore food webs, energy flow, photosynthesis, decomposers, and the cycling of matter that supports life on Earth.

Students will learn to:

• Understand how energy flows through ecosystems.

• Identify producers, consumers, and decomposers.

• Explain how matter cycles through living systems.

• Explore how ecosystems change over time.

• Recognize how healthy ecosystems support all living things.

🔬 Science & Engineering Practices

Throughout every science unit, students learn to think and work like scientists and engineers. They ask questions, conduct investigations, analyze evidence, design solutions, and communicate their discoveries.

Students will learn to:

• Ask meaningful scientific questions.

• Plan and carry out investigations.

• Collect, analyze, and interpret data.

• Use evidence to support explanations.

• Design, test, and improve solutions to real-world problems.

• Communicate scientific thinking clearly using words, models, graphs, and observations.

Our Goal

Science helps students become curious thinkers, careful observers, and confident problem-solvers. Throughout the year, students discover that science is more than a collection of facts—it is a way of exploring the world through questions, evidence, investigation, and discovery.

By studying Earth's systems, matter, and ecosystems while practicing the skills of scientists and engineers, students develop critical thinking, perseverance, collaboration, and curiosity. These habits prepare them not only for future science learning but also for solving problems and making informed decisions throughout their lives.

Our goal is to inspire every student to ask questions, seek evidence, explore with curiosity, and recognize that learning about the world is an adventure that never ends.