The study of science at Solomon Schechter Day School nurtures students’ natural sense of curiosity about their world through the scientific inquiry process.  Through this process, students will develop the skills of asking relevant questions, investigating and analyzing in order to integrate science and the world around them. The understanding of scientific process and concepts will inspire discovery and develop respectful, responsible, caring student scientists in the practice of Tikkun Olam.

Science education at Solomon Schechter Day School:

• Is research-based
• Is inquiry-based
• Emphasizes activities that investigate and analyze science questions
• Integrates reading, writing, and mathematics
• Fosters discourse and reflective thinking skills
• Centers around collaboration

Our student scientists grow in their ability to:

• Know and apply the concepts, principles, and processes of scientific inquiry
• Formulate questions on a topic and choose the steps needed to answer the question
• Make and test predictions
• Conduct self-directed explorations and reflect on the processes
• Engage in experiments to figure out scientific concepts
• Identify a design problem and propose a possible solution
• Read science books and make meaning of what is read
• Work collaboratively with classmates
• Use scientific and measuring equipment properly and safely
• Acquire the appropriate vocabulary
• Collect data for investigations using scientific process skills including observing, estimation and measuring
• Report and display the results of individual and group investigations
• Construct charts and visualizations to display data
• Use data to produce reasonable explanations
• Compare and analyze scientific results and data
• Draw conclusions based on hands-on experience and readings
• Test and refine ideas
• Apply previously learned information to analyze a problem and suggest solutions
• Participate in classroom discussions

Our Sager Middle School science program recently earned high praise from the National Research Council (NRC), the operating arm of the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering.  Click here to read more.

Grade level scope and sequence are available upon request.