Science

The goals of The Jefferson School science curriculum focus on developing scientific awareness, concern, interest, and knowledge of the world around us. Students are challenged academically by a discovery-based program, which is designed to arouse curiosity, allow spontaneous experiences, and develop observation, critical thinking, and logic skills. The units covered include specific content areas and may also be student driven. An emphasis on the environment is a very important element of the program.

The science program focuses on both the process and content of science. In addition to increasing the students’ proficiency in scientific inquiry, our middle school students are expected to master specific content based on state and national standards.

Our goal is to facilitate development of these skills by:

• Providing ample opportunities for students’ natural curiosity and wonder to lead them to ask questions about the natural world
• Encouraging careful observation, exploration, and description including the integration of instrumentation, graphs, and charts
• Exploring science in its historical, societal, and technological content
• Treating each child as an individual and enabling him/her to use a variety of approaches and materials when progressing in his/her scientific understanding