I’m not a math person.
I’m not a reader.
I’m not artistic.
I’m definitely not a science person.

What would the world look like if we challenged the negative self-talk and stereotypes students place on themselves?

At Carroll, the Middle School Science team is determined to find out—to help every student see themselves as global thinkers and problem-solvers, prepared for an ever-changing world. Science at Carroll is inquiry-based, hands-on, kinesthetic, multisensory, and makes real world connections. We want all students to see themselves as scientists of the world, identifying and solving tangible problems in everything they’re learning.

To ignite their interest, we talk about why a learning concept is important to understand and encourage students to be curious, think critically, and explore through labs and peer work, and to share their findings through lab reports, presentations, and demonstrations.

This work doesn’t happen in a silo. Our science educators incorporate the practice of claim/evidence/reasoning—a model used in ELA and history—into the science curriculum. ELA and tutoring work with vocabulary words from the science classroom.We use math problem solving skills and graphing to manipulate real-world science data. We also incorporate different perspectives, cultures, and lived experiences into science classes.

Underlying all this is how our educators nurture a culture of belonging, confidence, and safe risk-taking. We want students to believe in themselves, see others’ perspectives, and be empathetic human beings, capable of working together to problem solve.

From day one and weaved throughout the year, we build these foundational skills to open students up to fully engaging in our robust science curricula.

Using this whole child approach to science education, it’s our hope for students to recognize their strengths as creative and capable learners who have the gift of thinking differently and who can confidently say, “I am a science person.”

Project Spotlight: I Am a Scientist

This project is inspired by the organization of the same name. Its mission is to introduce scientists of all races, religions, sexes, and gender identities to the world.

Students use the organization’s website to research profiled scientists, learn what they do in the STEM world—often discovering jobs they never knew existed—and make connections with some of their interests and hobbies. Then, students create their own I Am a Scientist profile.