Winter Explorations in Science (Preschool – First Grade)

Submitted by Julie Pugkhem, Preschool – 1st grade Science and K-2 Math Support Teacher

What an exciting time it has been in science! Each day, the preschool through first-grade scientists come through the door ready to explore, discover, and wonder. Here is a glimpse into what students across our early childhood program have been exploring recently. From animal adaptations to the science of light to the invisible forces all around us, the science room has been full of curiosity, hands-on discovery, and meaningful learning.

First Grade: Animal Adaptations
Throughout the winter, the first graders were immersed in a study of animal adaptations – the physical features and behaviors that help animals survive in their environments. Students explored how different animals are suited to their habitats, examining examples from the Arctic tundra and tropical rainforest of the deep ocean and desert. The children began to see that animals are built the way they are for a reason – each body tells the story of how that species survived and adapted over millions of years. To bring this learning together, students completed a culminating project that asked them to think and create like scientists. Each child imagined, crafted, and put the finishing touches on an original animal, chose a habitat for it to live in, and identified the specific adaptations that would help it thrive there. The projects reflected genuine scientific thinking – students weren’t simply drawing fantastical creatures, but making intentional choices about features like camouflage, body shape, body parts, and behavior based on what they had learned.

Kindergarten: Exploring Light
Kindergarteners have just begun a study of light, and the early stages of this inquiry have already generated a lot of excitement and wonder. Our opening focus has been on understanding where light comes from, and students have been introduced to the distinction between natural light sources – such as the sun, stars, and fire- and artificial light sources, which are those created by people, like candles, flashlights, and lamps. To explore these ideas in a hands-on way, the students have been experimenting with flashlights. The kindergarteners noticed how light travels through different kinds of materials and how it can be directed to form fun shadows. Outdoors, the students used a prism and the light from the sun to create rainbows on white paper. They even noticed they could direct the rainbows to shine on their clothes and on the ground!

Preschool: The Science of Magnets
The preschool students recently completed a study of magnets, which offered many opportunities for engaging, hands-on investigation. The children discovered what materials magnets stick to, how magnets can be used in everyday life, and how magnets help to make people’s jobs easier. They created magnet “faces”, experimented with magnetic forces (attract/repel), went on a hunt to discover what objects outdoors stick to magnets, and even designed their own magnets!

Please enjoy some of the photos of the children exploring and making discoveries in science!