While science learning is often overlooked in basic and public education, a significant shift occurred in 2013 when the California State Board of Education embraced the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), bringing about a revolutionary change in K-12 science education. This article introduces our curated resources designed to enrich the science learning journey for young minds, particularly those in kindergarten to fifth grade, whether to spark curiosity or foster systematic learning. Additionally, it delves into the in-school science track, shedding light on grade-specific learning progress and distinctions between private and public schools.

Science Learning Resources

Think Academy has curated four resource types to facilitate both systematic learning and the kindling of interest. These resources are tailored to offer a well-rounded educational experience. For systematic learners, the Science Self-Learning Resources and Science Online Courses delve into intricate concepts through interactive tools and engaging structured courses. To spark interest, the STEM Booklists and Science Video Playlists captivate learners with visually engaging content and inspire further exploration into science topics through carefully selected books.

Science Self-learning Resources

• NASA Kids’ Club: Features interactive games, opportunities for family engagement, and insights into NASA missions.
• National Geographic Kids: Offers a deep dive into animal facts, provides geography education, and encourages nature exploration.

Science Online Courses

• Mystery Science:
  • Open-and-Go Lessons
  • Science Curriculum for K-5th Grades
  • Hands-On Learning

STEM Booklists for Elementary Students

• 18 Awesome STEM Books That Make Science and Technology Fun for Kids: These STEM books are filled with great stories and cool project ideas that can help lay a foundation for any mixture of STEM disciplines.
• 23 Inspiring Science Books for Kids in Elementary School: Discover this captivating collection of science books tailored for young minds

Science Video Playlists

• SciShow: Delve into universe exploration, ignite a passion for learning, and enjoy daily educational videos.
• Kids Science: Engaging with technology for kids, featuring fun experiments, and sharing cool facts.
• OK Go Sandbox: Discover the world of math and physics, and explore creative projects like flip books.

Elementary School Science Track: Private vs. Public Schools

The resources are curated to accommodate various learning preferences, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to science. Now, let’s delve into the in-school science track from kindergarten to grade 5, exploring grade-specific learning progress and distinctions between private and public schools.

Kindergarten

Private Schools

The curriculum of Harker focuses on adding to and extending children’s natural curiosity about the world through the following topics:

• Animal Habitats: Exploring different environments where animals live.
• Changing Seasons: Understanding cyclical changes in weather and the environment.
• Dental Health: Learning about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene.
• Endangered Species: Raising awareness about species at risk of extinction and conservation efforts.
• Environmental Awareness: Educating about the importance of protecting the environment.
• Five Senses: Investigating how the five senses work and their role in daily life.
• Plant Life: Studying the growth, structure, and importance of plants.
• The Solar System: Exploring planets, stars, and other celestial bodies.
• Oceanography: Learning about marine life and ocean ecosystems.
• Weather Patterns: Understanding meteorological phenomena and their effects.

Public Schools

• Life Science
  • Survival Needs of Plants and Animals: Exploring what living things require to thrive.
  • Patterns in Nature: Observing and identifying patterns in the living world.
  • Environment Interaction: Understanding how living things depend on and can alter their environment.
  • Impact Reduction: Communicating ideas to lessen human impact on the planet.
• Earth and Space Science
  • Weather Changes: Sharing observations of local weather.
  • Weather Forecasting: Learning its role in preparing for and responding to severe weather.
• Physical Science
  • Causes of Movement: Investigating the effects of pushing and pulling on objects.
  • Motion Design Solutions: Creating ways to alter an object’s motion using push or pull forces.

Grade 1

Private Schools

The curriculum of Harker is hands-on, emphasizing physical and life sciences. Students are introduced to the scientific method and then begin the study of solids and liquids. Students understand the properties of solids and liquids through simple experiments and activities.

• Air and Weather Unit: Study of the water cycle and clouds. Making simple weather instruments.
• Animal Classification and Life Cycles: Focus on insects, raising ladybugs and butterflies. In-depth study of various animal adaptations.
• Balance and Motion Unit: Balancing objects on a Popsicle stick. Building tops and roller coasters for practical understanding.
• Light and Color Unit: Exploring basic concepts of light and color. Experiments with mirrors, color filters, and prisms.
• Thematic Plant Study: Integrated throughout the year, connecting to other units. Activities on seed structure, germination, plant growth needs, and food production.

Public Schools

• Life Science
  • Organism Similarities and Differences: Observing how offspring are similar to, yet distinct from, their parents.
  • Mimicking Nature in Solutions: Designing solutions inspired by plant or animal structures.
• Earth and Space Science
  • Celestial Body Patterns: Observing predictable patterns of the Sun, Moon, and stars.
  • Daylight Analysis: Analyzing daylight length across the year.
• Physical Science
  • Sound and Light Exploration: Conducting experiments on vibration, sound, light, and their interactions.
  • Communication Device Building: Creating a device using light or sound for long-distance communication.

Grade 2

Private Schools

The curriculum of Harker allows students to continue advancing their knowledge of the scientific method.

• Unit on Properties of Water: Learning about surface tension, density, temperature changes, and water processes.
• Human Skeletal and Muscular Systems Study: Exploring the functions and interactions of these systems.
• Metric System Emphasis: Comparing the customary system with the international standard for measurement.
• Magnetism and Electricity Unit: Discovering Earth’s magnetic field and constructing circuits.
• Physics of Sound: Studying properties of pitch and volume, modifications, and human ear detection.
• STEM Approach and Hands-On Experiences: Building academic skills and confidence in self-exploration and inquiry.

Public Schools

• Life Science
  • Plant Survival and Growth: Investigating plant growth requirements, seed dispersal, and pollination.
  • Diversity in Habitats: Observing life diversity in various habitats.
• Earth and Space Science
  • Earth’s Natural Landscapes: Studying the shapes and types of landforms and water features.
  • Land Shape Preservation: Designing solutions to prevent land shape alteration by wind or water.
• Physical Science
  • Material Testing for Construction: Testing and classifying materials based on observable properties.

Grade 3

Private Schools

Harker’s curriculum revolves around four science areas: Botany, Zoology, Geology, and Astronomy.

• Botany
  • Scientific method review.
  • Plant life cycle and hands-on activities like seed sprouting and plant growth observations.
• Zoology
  • Animal classification.
  • Focus on arthropods with model creation.
• Astronomy
  • Observations of celestial patterns.
  • Solar system and planet studies.
• Geology
  • Earth’s structure and landforms.
  • Model-based learning for Earth’s movements.

Public Schools

The CA NGSS divides science into four disciplines: life science, Earth and space science, physical science, and engineering. Students investigate phenomena from all four disciplines every year in elementary school.

• Life Science
  • Plant & Animal Survival: Grouping and lifecycle importance.
  • Environment Dependency: Trait survival analysis and inheritance.
  • Environmental Change Impact: Solutions evaluation for organism effects.
• Earth and Space Science
  • Weather Study: Global climate research and local weather analysis.
  • Weather Hazards: Identification and mitigation solution engineering.
• Physical Science
  • Object Motion: Push/pull effects and movement prediction.
  • Magnetic & Electric Forces: Exploration of force causes and practical magnetism applications.

Grade 4

Private Schools

Harker’s program focuses on exploring the physical world through physics and chemistry and utilizing the scientific method.

• Physical World Exploration: Focus on physics and chemistry using scientific methods.
• Physics Concepts: Newton’s Laws, pendulum motion, frictional forces. Construction of simple machines and bridges.
• Magnetism & Electricity: Building circuits and exploring electromagnetism.
• Chemistry of Matter: Periodic table study and understanding atomic particles. Chemistry’s impact on the environment through design challenges.
• Measurement Skills: Mastery in measuring mass, volume, and density.

Public Schools

• Life Science
  • How body structures help survival: Students claim and model functions of animal sense organs.
• Earth and Space Science
  • Landscape formation and change: Analyzing landscape maps and evidence from rock layers.
• Physical Science
  • Energy in the physical world: Evidence of energy transfer (motion, sound, light, heat, electricity).
  • Energy in the human world: Models of light energy for vision and techniques for information transfer using energy patterns (light, sound).

Grade 5

Private Schools

Harker’s program focuses on biology, studying the origins and relationships of living things.

• Scientific Method: Advanced use in designing experiments, data analysis, result presentation, and lab report writing.
• Microscopy Skills: Proficiency in using microscopes for viewing, measuring, and interpreting microscopic specimens.
• Cellular Biology: Identifying cell parts and understanding cells as basic units of structure and function.
• Structure and Function: Exploring the link between structure and function for classification, adaptation, and evolution.
• Classification Skills: Using classification keys to categorize organisms.
• Dissection Proficiency: Developing skills in dissecting and identifying various preserved specimens.

Public Schools

• Life Science
  • Organism Interdependence: Developing models to trace energy flow in food chains, linking back to the Sun.
• Earth and Space Science
  • Celestial Patterns: Analyzing seasonal data to identify patterns in the Sun, Moon, and stars.
  • Environmental Protection: Modeling Earth’s system interactions (life, water, air, solid Earth) and strategizing for planet protection.
• Physical Science
  • Material Properties: Identifying materials by properties and investigating substance mixtures.
  • Matter Modeling: Explaining properties and behaviors using particle models.

Science education plays a pivotal role in fostering a comprehensive academic experience. We hope you find the learning resources and the in-school science track comparison helpful, whether for systematic learning or igniting interests in your child.

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