Scientific inquiry describes the skills children use to learn about the natural and physical world. Children observe, question, describe, measure, compare, contrast and classify and organize information. They make predictions, document progress, reflect on their work and draw conclusions based on evidence. Children use these skills as they learn about the following branches of science. Physical Science involves learning about properties of objects such as size, shape, rigidity, texture and cause and effect. Children are learning Life Science concepts when they explore and identify natural objects such as rocks, seashells, plants, flowers, trees, water, animals, and insects. When they investigate natural processes such as weather, temperature, or seasons they are practicing Earth Science.

Technology is about using tools and problem solving. During your child’s Lab time your child’s teacher will help to identify a problem and ask all the children to collectively solve it. This encourages children to identify and solve problems. Technology connects well with physical Science and engineering. Children also use tools to change or improve what they already understand as they practice technology. This includes things like ramps to make cars go faster, using binoculars to study birds, or using computers to research or design projects.

Engineering involves designing, creating, solving problems, using a wide range of materials and tools and building things that work as planned. Children learn about engineering when they have opportunities to take things apart to study how they are made and then put them back together. Engineering requires patience, persistence, and resilience. Through engineering, children learn that mistakes are a way of learning and improving.

Children learn Math by practice working with numbers counting objects and learn the symbols and vocabularies related to numbers.They experiment with quantities and begin to do mathematical operations (adding and subtracting). They begin to practice estimating (Size and speed, distance, or amount accuracy). Math also includes learning about measurement, shapes, colors, sizes, patterns, classifying, and time concepts. Math is used in science, technology, engineering, art, and reading. Your child will do science experiments, using measurement, numbers, and charts. They will use calculators and keyboards for technology work, rulers and estimating for engineering projects, lines and shapes in art and patterns in reading. Math is used every day in many ways.