At Staten Island Academy, science begins with a simple question: “What are you curious about?” From Pre-K3 through Grade 4, the Lower School science program is built around nurturing that curiosity and transforming it into meaningful discovery.
The program’s hands-on approach makes science accessible and exciting for every child. Lessons are designed to engage students through experiments, demonstrations, games, and collaborative projects that bring scientific concepts to life. Whether they’re investigating why objects sink and float, learning about the human body, studying insects, or exploring the mysteries of space, students are active participants in the learning process.
“We want students to understand that science isn’t just something that happens during class,” says Lower School science teacher Ms. Sahar Rifi. “It’s all around them.” That philosophy encourages children to keep asking questions long after the school day ends. In fact, many students arrive each fall eager to share observations and wonderings from their summer adventures.
While students learn core scientific concepts aligned with grade-level standards, their own interests help shape classroom learning. Questions sparked during family vacations, nature walks, or everyday observations often become the foundation for new lessons.
The curriculum introduces students to a remarkably broad range of scientific disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, geology, ecology, genetics, oceanography, anatomy, and food science. Advanced concepts are presented in age-appropriate ways, helping students build a strong foundation for future learning.
One of the program’s most beloved traditions is “Science Teacher of the Day.” Students research a topic that fascinates them and then step into the role of teacher, leading a lesson for their classmates. Dressed in a lab coat and armed with their newfound expertise, these young scientists present their findings, answer questions, and guide hands-on activities for their classmates..
Science extends well beyond the classroom. Students regularly observe and study live animals on campus, participate in field trips, and partake in cross-divisional learning experiences, collaborating with Upper School students in advanced courses such as AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and Human Anatomy.
Collaboration is woven throughout the curriculum, with science concepts reinforced through art, technology, music, and STEM projects. Parents frequently contribute their professional expertise, further enriching the learning experience.
By combining academics with exploration, creativity, and fun, Staten Island Academy’s Lower School science program helps students see themselves as scientists from an early age: curious, capable, and ready to discover the world around them.
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