SCIENCE OVERVIEW

The Carroll School Science Department philosophy is that students learn best through direct experiences with hands-on materials and a process approach as they explore, construct and apply concepts. Our rich natural environment provides an outdoor lab in addition to our classroom facilities. A small pond and field and woodland settings within walking distance of the school are integral pieces in providing the students with direct learning experiences. A portable STARLAB planetarium brings the night skies to our students as they study astronomy and earth science concepts. Linking new material introduced in classroom and field experiences to previously learned information and skills helps students build a strong foundation in science. As students engage in science activities, the process skills needed to develop and enhance reasoning skills are emphasized. These process skills include observation, recognition of similarities and differences, categorization, sequencing, recognition of patterns, recognition of part to whole relationships, determination of cause and effect relationships, recognition and control of variables, making predictions and drawing conclusions.

It is also the philosophy of the department that participation in science class can strengthen a student's acquisition of language arts and math skills. The application of learned language arts skills in science occurs through vocabulary development, reading, writing and oral communication activities. Application of learned skills in math occurs through measuring, charting, graphing and data analysis activities.

GOALS OF THE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

• To provide hands-on, inquiry based learning experiences that develop the process skills, selected concepts and reasoning abilities.
• To provide curriculum experiences and content at an age-appropriate level, and to provide strategies and skills to achieve at that level.
• To provide activities that engage students in the design process.
• To integrate with other subject areas where possible.
• To teach technology as a tool to help students develop concepts, gather information, record and display data and communicate.
• To align the science curriculum with the Massachusetts Department of Education Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework.