We believe that science is a way of thinking and learning about the world. We believe that children are naturally inquisitive and this ability can be developed through scientific inquiry.

Expectations

Upon completion of the K-8 Winterhaven science program, students will display competence and confidence in their ability to apply the scientific method. They will:

• Ask questions and form hypotheses
• Design and conduct experiments
• Collect, analyze, and summarize data
• Draw conclusions and formulate theories

Furthermore, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of unifying concepts and processes. They will:

• Identify and explain patterns of change in cycles and trends
• Identify inputs and outputs and their effects on a system
• Use models to make predictions and inferences
• Identify and explain evidence of change over time
• Identify and describe structure and function at various levels of organization

As citizens in a technological world, we believe it is important for students to demonstrate awareness. They will:

• Acquire information from print and non-print sources
• Critically read and observe daily news
• Recognize situations where technological advances have influenced the quality of their lives
• Use a variety of traditional and electronic tools to directly, indirectly and remotely observe and measure objects, organisms, and phenomena
• Respect the environment and living things

COURSE SYLLABUS