Science
At Our Lady of Grace Catholic School, science comes alive through hands-on discovery, critical thinking, and real-world connections.
Our Science program inspires students to explore the natural world with curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. Aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), our K–8 curriculum emphasizes scientific inquiry, hands-on investigation, and real-world application—preparing students to understand and engage with the world as active learners and responsible stewards of creation.
In Grades K–2, students are introduced to foundational scientific concepts through observation, exploration, and guided discovery. They study patterns in nature, weather, the needs of living things, and the relationship between sound, light, and motion. Students learn to ask questions, make predictions, and communicate their findings.
In Grades 3–5, students deepen their understanding of earth, life, and physical sciences through investigations that include ecosystems, forces and motion, weather systems, structures of living organisms, and the Earth's processes. They begin to plan and conduct experiments, collect data, and draw conclusions based on evidence.
In Grades 6–8, students engage in more complex scientific inquiry and crosscutting concepts that span disciplinary core ideas. They explore topics such as cell biology, genetics, chemistry, energy systems, climate science, and the engineering design process. Students are encouraged to model scientific thinking, analyze data, construct arguments, and connect science to global challenges and ethical responsibility.
Throughout all grade levels, our science instruction incorporates the NGSS three-dimensional approach:
Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs) – key content in life, physical, and earth/space sciences
Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) – skills like modeling, investigation, and data analysis
Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs) – overarching ideas such as patterns, cause and effect, and systems thinking
Our learning environment supports hands-on labs, STEM projects, technology integration, and collaborative learning, helping students see science not just as a subject, but as a way to explore and understand the world God created