Science at Holy Child
Upper School-Mrs. Sanchez
Science and a Classical Curriculum
As students employ the scientific method and continue to develop the skill of recording and observing, one also sees an enthusiasm for exploring concepts further, on one's own, emerging. In addition, students are acquiring the habit of curiosity regarding the physical world. They are learning how to explain and defend their scientific "discoveries."
In particular, following the classical model, students engaged in a Socratic Seminar labeled a "Scientific Convention" in order to discuss how one should define each property for a made-up material called "Oobleck." In this way, students are also continuing to express their own arguments logically and clearly, a primary skill in the Logic Stage of our curriculum.
Through all of our studies of Science, we like to reflect on the standards from the St. Jerome's Curriculum that we use: We do not arbitrarily impose meaning upon a meaningless material world, but that meaning is inherent in the world itself. It is reflected in a rational order that penetrates to the depths of the natural order and can be apprehended by reason.
Scientist of the Week
Each week Mrs. Sanchez chooses a "Scientist of the Week" in order to give each student the opportunity to choose their own experiment, prepare and demonstrate. Along with their lab coat and googles, students are called to explain the science behind their experiment. Several weeks ago, Aaron Ambrose was the Scientist of the Week. Here he mixes soda and mentos to demonstrate a chemical reaction.
Design a spacecraft to land on an ocean of "Oobleck"
A space probe has just returned from a planet in another solar system. Our junior scientists are gathered to determine the properties of the sample from the planet. This mysterious material is called "Oobleck". After hosting a "scientific convention" to define the properties, students designed a blueprint for a spacecraft which will be able to land on an ocean of "Oobleck. "
Timeline Activity
Mrs. Sanchez has mixed up the dates so that students can later match up the appropriate scientist with the correct date. Because a classical curriculum takes a chronological approach through history, students learn to see how we are part of a bigger story.
Our Planet Project
Astronomy Unit: students completed research on various planets and other heavenly bodies. Of special importance, students had to include the Greek and Roman God Or Goddess associated with each planet.
Tadpole Habitat
We have been watching this wonderful transformation called metamorphosis. Gradually the tadpoles' legs emerge, lungs develop, and tails are absorbed into their bodies as they mature into frogs.