Science Curriculum
Mount Alvernia Academy is committed to providing its students with an exciting, continually up-dated, Science experience so that they will succeed in their future Science courses and will grow to possess a lifelong interest in Science. From Kindergarten to Grade 6, the Science program is dedicated to developing within its students a curiosity for and understanding of the natural and physical world around them by using careful observations, experimentation, logic, and analytical thought. The Mount Alvernia Science Curriculum is guided by the Archdioceses of Boston, the Massachusetts State Science Standards and the Scott Foresman Science Program.
Grades One to Three
Beginning in Grade One, students use scientific methods and process skills for Science inquiry. Hands-on experiments, activities, recording results, and discussing results are introduced. Three to four units are covered, age and grade appropriate. Life Science explores how living things grow, change, and become endangered or extinct. Students grow and use a variety of plants. Physical Science includes examining and experimenting with matter, magnets, energy, simple machines and gravity. Many experiments are completed with this unit. Earth Science brings students to the solar system focusing on the earth, sun, moon and sky. The water cycle is introduced. Students examine rocks, minerals, and soil. The Human Body unit examines the five senses, general and dental hygiene, and nutrition. Students create a food pyramid.
Grades Four, Five and Six
Each Science class, for students in Grades Four, Five and Six, is held in a renovated science laboratory, four (4) times a week, for 45 minutes. The lab is equipped with a Smartboard ©, computers, and a computer projection system as well as microscopes, balances, and metric labware. There is also material to study the 4 Science units:
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Life Science
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Physical Science
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Earth Science
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Human Body.
In addition to furthering the study of topics introduced in grades one to three, some of the new topics presented to the older students include the study of cells, genetics, evolution, energy, electricity, motion, weather and climate, plate tectonics, and nutrition.
Classes are conducted using a variety of approaches. Work from the text is combined with hands-on observational and experimental activities in the lab and occasionally out on the school grounds. Reading, writing, math and art skills are incorporated into the science lessons within each unit. Whenever possible, technology is used, including math computations using calculators, computer graphing, and interactive Smartboard activities. The Internet is used for research, enrichment and to connect the students to the world. Classes have corresponded, using the Internet, with scientist while they conduct their research, in such places as the Arctic and Tahiti. Some of these scientists have then visited the students at Mount Alvernia Academy.
Every year the students in Grades four, five and six take part in the Mount Alvernia Academy Science Fair. This is an exciting, non-competitive experience designed to promote research skills, the use of scientific method, and visual and oral presentation skills.
Over the years, Mount Alvernia has developed a strong relationship with the New England Aquarium. The students have enjoyed field trips, aquarium workshops, IMAX movies, and in-school programs. The science and classroom teachers have taken part in numerous Teacher Preparation Courses through the Teacher Resource Center at the Aquarium.
In the spirit of St Francis, it is hoped that the science education provided by Mount Alvernia Academy, will help the students realize that they have a responsibility towards the preservation of all life, the stewardship of the Earth, and the conservation of its resources.
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