SCIENCE OVERVIEW

Science is the investigation of our world with its physical properties, structures, functions, and interrelationships. It is a search to learn what things are made of and how they work. Science involves an enormous amount of information about all aspects of our world, so much so that the word “science” often creates anxiety among learners. There is simply so much to know about our world and we know so little.

The quest of science, however, is not in the knowledge as much as in the investigation. Whether we realize it or not, we use scientific processes to investigate our world every day. We use scientific processes in every stage of our academic development. Whether it is reading, math, humanities, or technology, we use science to learn. When we observe, when we question, when we seek answers, when we make decisions, when we take action, when we try new things, and when we learn; we use the processes of science. The better we understand and use those processes, the more efficient and successful we become in our endeavors.

It is with this perspective of “science” that we have developed the curriculum. All students should have the opportunity to learn the concepts and processes of science in a relevant and meaningful way. And because science is investigative by nature, all students should have the opportunity to use scientific processes to investigate their world. This means that students should be involved in an active hands-on learning process. It also means that it should be supported with appropriate time and effort.