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 Welcome to Science

Science at Waimea Country School

Children are questioners, and our program helps children think critically while stimulating their natural curiosity about the world around them. We use a hands-on instructional approach where students are involved in actually doing science, not just covering material in a text. Typically, students are presented with problem solving activities that incorporate real-life questions. Our format encourages collaborative work to seek knowledge and understanding, just like the approach in which scientists engage.

Our program reinforces scientific inquiry which involves many process skills, including posing questions; organizing, evaluating, and interpreting data; hypothesizing; reflecting; and communicating information. Biology, Botany, Ecological Studies, Earth Science and Physical Science are areas addressed in our curriculum.

Levels 1 and 2

Students in these levels engage in learning units focusing on weather, the human body, the solar system, our ocean, and animal habitats, among others. Working individually or in small groups, students are introduced to the Scientific Method and its distinct progression of processes. At these levels, our intent is to nurture curiosity about nature, encourage positive attitudes toward science for all students, and to begin integrating reading, writing, and math into units of study.

Levels 3 and 4

Students in these levels explore electricity and magnetism, natural resources, body systems, and the structure of the Earth. Students also explore ecosystems, chemistry, animal adaptation, conservation, the atmosphere, and the properties of sound and light. Students in both levels also gain skills necessary to use different types of scientific equipment.