Browse Curriculum

School Level

Department

Science

Science is an integral part of every grade. Our students develop an appreciation for how they can expand their understanding of the our world around them.

Click on a grade below to see a summary of that grade's work in Science. Please note: Each description lists that grade's guiding question or questions, topics covered in that area, and an overview of skills developed through this subject.

Science in Preschool

Over two years:

How do we explore and learn about the world around us?

Topics of Study:
Pumpkins • Bees • Light and Shadows • Planting • Birds • Monarch Butterflies • Sunflowers • Migration • Water • New England Ponds

Skills We Teach:
Scientific Process (predicting, observing, reflecting) • Using scientific equipment
Science in Kindergarten

How do we, as scientists, learn about our world?

Topics of Study:
Ocean life • Astronomy • Healthy foods • Forces • Rain forest • Light • Rocks • Body systems

Skills We Teach:
Classifying • Comparing • Making observations • Drawing and labeling • Working together
Science in Grade 1

How do we, as scientists, learn about our world?

Topics of Study:
Life cycles • Creatures • Rocks, crystals, rock cycles • Engineering • Sounds and vibrations • Forensics • Bacteria

Skills We Teach:
Classifying • Making predictions, • Collecting data • Making observations • Measuring and comparing • Designing and building • Working together
Science in Grade 2

How do we, as scientists, learn about our world and ourselves?

Topics of Study:
Sun/Earth relationship • Tilt of the Earth and seasons • Compass and directions • Weather tracking • Climate • Biomes • Solids, liquids, and gases • Wind power • Flight • Birds • Bones and muscles

Skills We Teach:
Making Models to Explain Natural Phenomenon • Collecting, organizing, and analyzing data • Graphing Data • Designing and Building • Working Together
Science in Grade 3

How do we, as scientists, use evidence, models and simulations to answer questions and solve problems?

Topics of Study:
Recycling • Composting • Fossil fuels • Global warming • Electricity • Circuits • Engineering • Green energy • Atoms and molecules • Solar Power • Sharks • Trees • Chemical and physical changes

Skills We Teach:
Design and build • Design solutions to problems • Making predictions • Resiliency in the design rrocess • Working together • Collecting data • Graphing data
Science in Grade 4

How do we, as scientists, investigate cycles and patterns in the world around us?

Topics of Study:
Clouds • Water Cycle • Phases of Matter • Molecules • Erosion and Topographic Features • Earth/Sun/Moon Relationship • Astronomy • Tides and Phases of the Moon • Producers and Consumers • Decomposers • Plants • Simple Machines • Coding

Skills We Teach:

Solving Design Challenges and Creating Experimental Procedures • Collecting Data Accurately • Graphing Data • Using Technology to Communicate Knowledge • Working Together
Science in Grade 5

How do we, as scientists, collaborate to learn about the communities and interactions in the world?

Topics of Study:
Scientific Inquiry • Earth’s Biomes • Animal Behaviors and Adaptations • Forces and Motion • Properties of Matter • Inventors and Robotics • Computer Science

Skills We Teach:
Developing a strong science vocabulary • Group Collaboration on projects • Incorporating technology to present ideas • Recording and analyzing scientific data • Communicating findings • Measuring accurately • Designing and creating through the engineering process
Science in Grade 6

Earth and Environmental Science

What makes Earth “the living planet”? Do other planets and moons have conditions that might support life? How can we take care of Earth?

Topics of Study:
Birth of Earth & Brief History of Our Planet • Plate Tectonics • Engineering for Earthquakes • Volcanoes • Deep Sea Vents & Life at Extremes • Life Beyond Earth • Mission to Mars • Robotic Rovers • Earth’s Atmosphere • Weather & Extreme Weather • Climate & Climate Change• Engineering Wind Power

Skills We Teach:
Developing a science vocabulary • Formulating questions • Making scientific predictions • Collaborating on engineering projects • Graphing • Designing and building models • Making observations • Analyzing evidence • Drawing conclusions • Sharing results via lab reports and presentations
Science in Grade 7

Life Science

What is life? How are humans related to all living things on Earth? How do we, as scientists, investigate the living world?

Topics of Study:
Characteristics of Living Things • Cells • Microscopy • Heredity & Genetics • Evolution • Classification • History of Life • Computer Coding • Human Body Systems • Senses Science Fair

Skills We Teach:
Designing scientific experiments • Computer coding • Microscopy • Collaborating • Graphing • Designing and building models • Making observations • Analyzing evidence • Drawing conclusions • Sharing results via lab reports and presentations
Science in Grade 8

Introduction to Physical Science

How do we, as scientists, understand our universe? What tools and thought processes can we effectively investigate our world?

Topics of Study:
Lab safety and equipment • Experimental Design • Measurement • Properties of matter • Atoms and molecules • The classification of elements • Forces and motion • Energy

Skills We Teach:
Logic and reasoning • Asking scientific questions • Conducting and designing experiments • Analyzing numeric data • Taking detailed notes • Working in collaborative groups • Thinking critically

Susan Lewis

Science, Grade 6 Homeroom

978-369-4591 ext 199

Harvard University - B.A.
Lesley University / Shady Hill School TTC - M.Ed.

slewis@nashobabrooks.org
Bio
Susan Lewis earned a B.A. from Harvard University, an M.Ed. from Lesley University, and teacher certification through Shady Hill School's Teacher Training Center. Prior to teaching, she worked for many years as a producer and senior editor for the PBS science series NOVA.
Kim Russell

Lower School and Grade 4 Science

(978)369-4591

Auburn University - B.A.
Emory University - A.A.

krussell@nashobabrooks.org
Bio
Kim Russell studied anthropology at Emory University and Auburn University. She was a teacher naturalist for the Massachusetts Audubon Society and the resident naturalist for our Preschool program before coming to Nashoba Brooks full-time. Kim has been an environmental science educator for several Massachusetts schools for 15+ years, as well as the lead teacher and owner of an environmental science enrichment program for children 3 years and older.
Patrick Sedney

Middle School Science, Grade 5 Homeroom

psedney@nashobabrooks.org
Bio
Patrick Sedney teaches students in Grades 5 and 8. He holds a B.A. in biology from Middlebury College and an M.Ed. from Harvard Graduate School of Education. Prior to Nashoba Brooks, Patrick served as a member of the middle school science faculty at Dexter Southfield where he taught physical, earth, and life sciences in addition to 8th grade Algebra.

200 Strawberry Hill Road
Concord, MA 01742
Phone: 978-369-4591
Email: info@nashobabrooks.org

Situated on a beautiful 30-acre campus in historic Concord, Massachusetts, Nashoba Brooks School enrolls all genders in Preschool through Grade 3, and students identifying as girls in Grades 4 through 8. Nashoba Brooks is an independent school designed to build community, character, and confidence in its students.