Science 5

Course Outline

The Science 4–6 program is a hands-on, minds-on program that encourages students to learn by manipulating materials, observing first-hand, and talking and writing about what they are learning. This active, experiential, inquiry approach promotes the importance of building and expanding on the natural curiosity of students and recognizes the valuable experiences that they bring to the classroom. It seeks to nurture in students a lifelong desire to experience, question, and investigate. In this program, students learn how to conduct investigations by defining problems, seeking answers, making plans, and evaluating their own and others’ thinking.

Learners will investigate weather

Daily weather conditions are not the result of random occurrences but are part of larger systems and patterns that can be predicted in the short term and on a seasonal basis. Through the study of weather, learners will investigate the characteristics of air, its movement and its ability to hold water. Learners will consider the various aspects of weather such as temperature, wind speed, precipitation and cloud formation. Data collection and predictive processes are developed using weather instruments and probeware. Learners explore the ideas of climate change and human impacts on weather systems.

Learners will how weather impacts daily life

This investigation contextualizes and extends the weather-related learning from the previous outcome. Learners will explore the role of science and technology in weather preparedness and impacts on daily life.  The significance of seasonal cycles and events for various cultures will be investigated. Learners will explore the impacts of weather on living and non-living things in their local environment. 

Learners will construct simple and compound machines

Learners will explore motion and the forces causing motion with the application of forces to the construction of machines. Learners will investigate the ability of simple machines to accomplish tasks. The design and uses of simple and compound machines in daily life will be explored. Learners will construct solutions to design challenges using simple machines singly or in combination. 

Learners will analyse how the body functions to meet its needs

Organs and systems function together to help humans and other animals meet their basic needs. Learners will explore the major internal organs through the use of models and simulations. Many factors can affect a healthy body and an analysis of how the body functions to meet its needs will allow learners to explore the role they play in maintaining a healthy body. 

Learners will test how physical and chemical changes affect the properties of matter

Materials around us have properties that are important to their use. By studying materials used in various applications, learners will explore physical and chemical properties. Learners will test how substances can be changed through reactions to display new properties. Conservation of mass in physical and chemical changes will be investigated.


Outcomes

  • Learners will investigate weather.
  • Learners will investigate how weather impacts daily life.
  • Learners will construct effective simple and compound machines.
  • Learners will analyse how the body functions to meet its needs.
  • Learners will test how physical and chemical changes affect the properties of matter.

Updated March 10, 2022