LOWER SCHOOL Scientists will be actively engaged in learning about the scientific world as they ask questions, communicate ideas, and explore scientific investigation and reasoning. Within the physical environment, students will expand their understanding of the properties of objects such as matter, size, shape, mass, color, and texture.

They will explore the importance of light, heat, and sound energy as it relates to the students’ everyday life. Students will explore basic needs, patterns, systems, and cycles by investigating characteristics of organisms, life cycles, and interactions among all the components within their habitat within the living environment.

Upper School students investigate and learn about the natural world. Varying types of questions can be answered by investigations and methods, using tools, models, collecting data, fair tests, using variables, and inferring conclusions built from those investigations which change as new observations are made.

Models of objects and events are the tools for understanding the natural world and can show how systems work. New discoveries are constantly modified to more closely reflect the natural world. Scientific inquiry method and reasoning, formulating testable hypotheses, measuring and acquiring data to formulate a conclusion are ongoing process skills throughout the year. The use of appropriate lab equipment and technology includes safety, digital citizenship and integrity.

• Areas of study include: earth and space, matter and energy, force, motion and energy, organisms and environments
• Students will understand the common themes of patterns, cycles, systems, models, change and constancy.
• In physical environment, students learn about the properties of matter, states, of matter, magnetism, density, solubility, conducting electrical and heat energy using light, thermal, electrical, sound energies.
• In the natural environment, students learn how changes occur on Earth’s surface and predictable patterns occur in the sky. Students learn that the natural world consists of resources (renewable and nonrenewable) and alternative energy sources.
• In the living environment, students learn the structure and function of organisms can improve their survival.
• Students learn inherited traits and learned behaviors.
• Students learn that life cycles occur in animals and plants and that the carbon dioxide-oxygen cycle occurs naturally to support the living environment.

G-STEM Expo

G-STEM Expo is the Galloway School Science Fair held each year so that students k-5th grade can showcase what they have learned about science and the scientific method. The rules are consistent with The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), a program of Society for Science & the Public (SSP). Our students may choose to participate in regional and state-wide fairs in middle and high school. The G-STEM Expo is designed to prepare our students for upper level participation.

G-STEM Expo, participation is required in all grades, kindergarten through fifth grade.

• Kindergarteners collect data and prepare charts and/or graphs to show that they know about organizing, labeling, and making conclusions.
• First graders prepare 3D models of objects or events that cannot be studied in real time or because the object is too large, small, or dangerous to come to our classroom.
• Second graders prepare demonstrations to show “how the world works”. This will require answering a question by using objects (or models). ‘What is a solar eclipse?’ ‘Why is it easier to ride your bike on the sidewalk instead of the grass?’ ‘How do seeds get moved from one place to another?’
• Upper school (3rd-5th grade) perform experiments which require the control of variables, testing a hypothesis using the scientific method.
• Third grade students will do product testing, determining which product does the best job, is the most economical or both.