Science

  • Philosophy

    We believe that science is a way of thinking and learning about the world. We believe that children are naturally inquisitive, and this ability can be developed through scientific inquiry.

    Program Design

    At Winterhaven, our science program is integrated across the curriculum in grades K-4, allowing students to have experience writing about science in their language arts class and learning about the history of science in their social studies class.

    In grades 5-8, our students follow ½ûÂþÌìÌà middle school and high school guidelines for the curriculum that is taught.

    Here is the design of our grades 5-8 math program:

    Grade 5 - Middle School Life Science

    Grade 6 - Middle School Earth Science

    Grade 7 - Middle School Physical Science

    Grade 8 - High School Biology

    Expectations

    Upon completion of the K-8 Winterhaven science program, students will display competence and confidence in their ability to apply the scientific method. They will:

    • Ask questions and form hypotheses
    • Design and conduct experiments
    • Collect, analyze, and summarize data
    • Draw conclusions and formulate theories

    Furthermore, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of unifying concepts and processes. They will:

    • Identify and explain patterns of change in cycles and trends
    • Identify inputs and outputs and their effects on a system
    • Use models to make predictions and inferences
    • Identify and explain evidence of change over time
    • Identify and describe structure and function at various levels of organization

    As citizens in a technological world, we believe it is important for students to demonstrate awareness. They will:

    • Acquire information from print and non-print sources
    • Critically read and observe daily news
    • Recognize situations where technological advances have influenced the quality of their lives
    • Use a variety of traditional and electronic tools to directly, indirectly and remotely observe and measure objects, organisms, and phenomena
    • Respect the environment and living things