Science
SCIENCE An understanding of the natural world and of humanity’s place within it is essential. Therefore, the Landon Science Department aims to foster each student’s inquisitiveness and enthusiasm by building a base of scientific knowledge and skills through lectures, discussions and hands-on experiential learning.
Landon offers a wide variety of courses so that each student is exposed to the fundamental branches of science at various levels. It is the responsibility of our department to prepare students to be informed global citizens, stewards of the environment, and competent users of technology. The Landon Science Department is committed to integrating the following into its courses at all levels: Scientific Knowledge: We present a structured sequence of scientific knowledge to our students, complementing their knowledge in other academic disciplines. Scientific knowledge is organized concepts, theories, and unifying principles, which can lead to testable explanations and predictions about our environment.
Scientific Method: We teach how the scientific method is used to form hypotheses about the world and how these hypotheses are tested through the collection and analysis of data. Writing Skills and Communication: We guide students to articulate their understanding of science as a process through writing and presentations, conveying knowledge and understanding about the relationships between basic concepts and observed phenomena, in both the laboratory and field settings.
LOWER SCHOOL The Lower School science curriculum aims to educate the boys in many different areas of science, while also developing a love and appreciation for nature through the care of and interaction with classroom pets,
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growing plants, and various other targeted activities. In Grade 3, students study aspects of biology and chemistry, which includes hands-on experiments on animal classification, invertebrate behavioral studies, fingerprinting, and chromatography. They also work on units on mystery solving, food web and adaptations, acid/base studies, and geology. In Grade 4, units focus on biology, chemistry and physics. Concepts emphasized include experimental design, consumer science, nutrition, food webs, and small-mammal anatomy (both through the study of owl pellets), fossils, minerals, and electricity. The Grade 5 course focuses on introductory concepts in physical science, with supplementary units on
