Science

Science at OLG fosters curiosity, seeks answers, examines research, applies observations, and utilizes tools to develop understanding. Science is an amazing experience here at OLG! With the variety of science experiences and integrated STEM connections, a community of passionate, curious, scientific learners authentically emerges.

Through a series of co-teaching models, the science coordinator and homeroom teacher design learning experiences ensuring science is engaging and rigorous. One of the co-teaching models we commonly use is station teaching. Station teaching is a series of stations that students travel through. This allows for small group instruction as well as multiple experiences with the curriculum.

In science, students have a unique opportunity to examine and question, experiment and engineer the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Vocabulary and concepts are collaboratively explored with hands-on learning through projects, experiments, and STEM challenges. Alignment opportunities within other disciplines, especially in writing and math, elevates the depth of knowledge. This provides OLG students to become true scientists in reporting and data analysis.

Embedded within every unit at OLG is the examination of the human impact in sustaining respect and care for God’s gift of creation.

Kindergarten Units

Relationships in Ecosystems | Weather | Forces and Interactions

First Grade Units

Shadows and Light | Plant Shapes | Animal Sounds

Second Grade Units

Earth's Systems | Structure and Property of Matter | Ecosystems

Third Grade Units

Weather and Climate | Life Cycles and Traits | Surviving in Different Environments | Forces and Interactions

Fourth Grade Units

Energy | Waves and Information | Earth's Changing Surface | Plants and Animal Structures

Fifth Grade Units

Living Things and Ecosystems | Earth Systems| Changes in Matter | Earth, the Moon, and the Stars

Students in grades 6-8 spend 4-5 hours a week in Science class where they experience a quality science education that prompts them to develop key stills- communication, collaboration, inquiry, problem-solving, and flexibility- that will serve them throughout their educational and professional lives. OLG School employs a three-dimensional approach to science instruction.

Crosscutting Concepts

Crosscutting Concepts help students explore connections across the four domains of science, including Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science, and Engineering Design. When these concepts, such as "cause and effect," are made explicit for students, they can help students develop a coherent and scientifically-based view of the world around them.

Science and Engineering Practices

Science and Engineering Practices describe what scientists do to investigate the natural world and what engineers do to design and build systems. The practices better explain and extend what is meant by "inquiry" in science and the range of cognitive, social, and physical practices that it requires. Students engage in practices to build, deepen, and apply their knowledge of core ideas and crosscutting concepts.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

Disciplinary Core Ideas are the key ideas in science that have broad importance within or across multiple sciences or engineering disciplines. These core ideas build on each other as students progress through grade levels and are grouped into the following four domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science, and Engineering.