Science

Guided discovery

The Lower School Science program aims to spark each student’s curiosity and knowledge by introducing the skills to think, question, and discover like scientists. Guided by our lower school science specialist, our pre-K through fourth grade students participate in the process of scientific inquiry by independently and collaboratively observing, measuring, classifying, predicting, testing, and communicating. Students are introduced to skills and concepts in a hands-on fashion, sequentially progressing from year to year, within the physical, life, and earth sciences. Additionally, for one trimester each year, students in the second and third grades participate in laboratory classes taught at the Academy of Natural Sciences, where students learn about paleontology and freshwater ecosystems, areas in which the Academy is world-renowned.

Active inquiry

The Middle School Science program combines content with hands-on learning inside and outside of the classroom. Through careful observation, experimentation, and the use of technology and research, students are guided to use an inquiry-based approach to answer questions about the natural and human-made world.

In our fifth grade Science of the City course, students take a unique look at our city of Philadelphia with a scientific lens, focusing on it’s physical, life, and earth science features. In sixth grade’s Science of the Environment, students are challenged to investigate their footprint on the planet as they study topics like plant biology, matter, energy, and ecology.  In Science of Life, our seventh graders take a deeper dive into the biological principles of science, from cell biology to organisms to evolution.  In our eighth grade Science of the Earth, students deepen their understanding of the principles of chemistry and physics by applying them to key earth science issues, including global water availability and climate change.

Independent investigations and thinking

The Upper School Science program strives to provide students with a thorough appreciation of the required-for-graduation core sciences (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology), as well as an opportunity to explore more individualized interests through our variety of electives and independent studies, from Engineering to Anatomy to Environmental Science. Through dynamic discussions, problem-solving activities, and skill-building laboratory experiences, we aim to foster each student's critical thinking skills, intellectual curiosity, and appreciation for scientific discovery and design. In the city and of the city, we extend our laboratories beyond the classroom into the museums, streets, and science institutions of Philadelphia to show students how science relates to their lives in practical and inspiring ways.