Children of all ages have a natural desire to ask questions, investigate the world around them, and seek solutions to problems. The lower school science program aims to nurture these dispositions by creating an environment in which students have the opportunity to actively explore and understand the natural world. As a result, the curriculum maintains a focus on learning through an inquiry-based approach where students are encouraged to ask scientifically oriented questions, design and conduct investigations, use scientific tools to gather evidence, rely on data to formulate conclusions, and assimilate scientific concepts and knowledge through experiential learning. Such an approach allows students to develop sound scientific habits of mind and the ability to approach science in an analytical, problem-solving fashion that yields authentic learning. Through this approach, students engage in authentic problem solving as they develop sound scientific habits of mind and the ability to approach science in an analytical, problem-solving fashion that yields authentic learning. 
They examine the world, their interconnectedness with it, and explore how to create a more sustainable future.

The idea of education for sustainability is at the core of the lower school science program. Through our ongoing work with the Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education, we have developed a curriculum that is guided by the following key natural laws and principles:

Everything is Connected: Everything is part of a system and a change to one part of the system has an effect on the other parts of the system. Students investigate this idea in relation to their impact on the system, and vice versa.

There is No Such Place as Away: Whether produced by nature or by humans, there is no such thing as waste. All matter, or "stuff", cycles. Students examine how one thing turns into another and how people can cycle "stuff" in efficient ways.

Everything Has Limits: All healthy systems have limits. When those thresholds are exceeded, the system deteriorates over time. Students study a variety of systems to analyze the effect of the limits on those systems and how to thrive within those limits.

Things are Always Changing: Nature exists in a constant state of change. However, the changes are not always obvious because they occur in infinitesimal amounts at any given moment. However, when aggregated, these changes amass to large scale changes over time. Students explore this idea and think about how to plan and adapt for changing conditions.

Place Matters: Solutions derive from place. Students think about how to define "place" and enable themselves to care for their own environments.

There is Strength in Diversity: Nature thrives on diversity as it is a necessary condition for the propagation of species. Students learn about what is meant by diversity within a system, how the diversity of a system changes, and how people can impact the diversity of a system.