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    Science

     

     South Buffalo Charter School uses various Science programs to meet the needs of students. All programs are aligned to NYSSLS (New York State Science Learning Standards) and incorporated into the three dimensions, which are knowledge, skills, and practices. 

    These dimensions are:
    Dimension 1: Science and Engineering Practices
    This dimension focuses on students emulating the behaviors of scientists and engineers. The focus isn’t just on skills, but on the incorporation of knowledge.  These practices include building models and developing theories about the natural world.
    Dimension 2: Cross-Cutting Concepts
    This dimension incorporates knowledge that spans science and engineering fields, linking ideas from one area of science to another.  The focus of this dimension is on explicitly teaching the concepts of: patterns, similarity, and diversity; cause and effect; scale, proportion and quantity; systems and system models; energy and matter; structure and function; stability and change.
    Dimension 3: Disciplinary Core Ideas
    The disciplinary core ideas are grouped into four domains: life sciences; physical sciences; earth and space sciences; and engineering, technology and applications of science.  To be considered core, ideas should meet at least 2 of the following criteria:

    • Have broad importance across multiple sciences or engineering disciplines or be a key organizing concept of a single discipline;
    • Provide a key tool for understanding or investigating more complex ideas and solving problems;
    • Relate to the interests and life experiences of students or be connected to societal or personal concerns that require scientific or technological knowledge;
    • Be teachable and learnable over multiple grades at increasing levels of depth and sophistication.

    Science (Grade K-2)

    Mystery Science is a unique, standards-aligned science curriculum designed to help students stay curious! Mystery Science guides lead engaging, open-and-do lessons with step-by-step, hands-on activities that explore scientific phenomena using common classroom items.

    Generation Genius is also another program that teachers also have access to, which also offers our students a variety of lessons to help them learn new science concepts that are aligned to NYS Science Learning Standards in the classroom.

     

    Science (Grade 3-8)

    TCI Science is a comprehensive 3-8 science program that focuses on active, student-centered learning. The blended print and digital curriculum engages students in phenomenon-based inquiry, three-dimensional learning, and hands-on investigations. TCI Science builds students’ critical thinking, questioning, and collaboration skills. It fuels interest in STEM and creative problem-solving while supporting literacy development for elementary-age learners. Raise student interest and approach science teaching with a new level of confidence! Elevating thinking, learning, and teaching.

    TCI Science encourages students to work as scientists and engineers. Phenomena-based inquiry develops general scientific ideas through problem-solving and creative solutions.

    TCI Science integrates Scientific and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts (CCC), and Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs). Three-dimensional learning turns young learners into powerful STEM problem solvers.

    TCI Science helps elementary educators teach science with confidence. Scaffolding, ELD, differentiated instruction, and an improved 5E lesson model provide all the support you need for successful teaching practices.

    Resources:

    http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/science/tips/exploring-science/

    http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/?ar_a=1