Lower School science classes encourage students to actively explore the world around them through hands-on experiments and engaging lessons. Throughout October, this has ranged from studying soil in the LS Garden to testing sensors and meeting Leonardo the gecko! These activities help LS students to develop their curiosity and practice asking critical questions. The result is a genuine love of discovery, as each activity invites students to think inquisitively, make predictions, and learn through observation and collaboration.

Learning About Leonardo the Leopard Gecko in Pre-K
Pre-K students visited the LS science room to meet and learn about Leonardo, the leopard gecko. The up-close learning experience was exciting and took a little bit of courage! Using their senses of touch and sight, the little Wildcats observed Leonardo’s smooth, scaly skin, and watched how he moved slowly and carefully.

Kindergarten Dendrologists
Students in Kindergarten studied trees on the playground, observing their many shapes, sizes, and colors. Their curiosity about the wonder of trees grew, as they recorded their observations, asked new questions, and illustrated what they saw. 

Soil Science in First Grade
First-grade students observed soil from the Lower School Garden using magnifying glasses! They were amazed to discover tiny roots and rocks , sparking thoughtful questions like, “How does the soil help plants grow? and why are insects in the soil?

Second Grade Salt Marsh Explorers
In October, second graders visited the Rye Marshland Conservancy to observe the habitats, animals, and plants that inhabit the sound. In science class, the students explored shells and their unique properties using a dichotomous key to identify different species. They discovered that a variety of filter-feeding animals inhabit the salt marsh. In the days ahead, students will continue learning about these fascinating creatures and how important they are to the health of the Long Island Sound ecosystem.

Third-Grade Engineers
Third-graders used the scientific method to explore how different objects interact with color sensors. Students predicted which colors that they would find least and most often in the science room by using their sense of sight to guide them. Students then built and tested a color sensor to discover if their predictions were correct. This hands-on experiment helped the third graders understand how technology can detect and respond  to color. Later this fall, the students will use their color sensor to guide their kindness and gratitude floats down the lower school hallway.

Agriculture Methods in Symbiosis in Grade 4
Studying the “Three Sisters” (corn, beans, and squash), fourth-grade students practiced their observation skills in the Lower School Garden. They carefully recorded observations and labeled each plant’s parts, including the seeds, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruit.