Science is a fundamental subject embedded in the curriculum for all elementary students. Our educational frameworks are an adaptation of the nationally recognized Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Throughout every grade, students engage in the dynamic realms of Science and Technology/Engineering. Pre-K through Grade 5 students act as scientists when they:
- Cultivate curiosity by posing scientific questions about the natural world and man-made creations
- Immerse themselves in a range of learning experiences, including hands-on observations and experiments
- Develop problem-solving through the application of engineering and scientific skills and tools
- Share innovative solutions and articulate explanations of the of the world around them
Standards for each grade level connect to one of these Science and Engineering Practices, which ensure vertical alignment of standards, and support acquisition of all the skills and standards at developmentally appropriate levels. Science and Engineering Practices:
- Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)
- Developing and using models
- Planning and carrying out investigations
- Analyzing and interpreting data
- Using mathematics and computational thinking
- Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)
- Engaging in an argument from evidence 8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
In elementary school, LPS students begin to develop an understanding of the four disciplinary core ideas: physical sciences; life sciences; earth and space sciences; and technology/engineering.