Science

St. Paul’s inquiry-driven and discovery-based approach to science is at the heart of the STEAM program.  Teachers foster a sense of curiosity and love of the natural world by starting with engaging questions rather than general scientific facts.  The student-centered questions, often student-initiated, are the building blocks for future discoveries acquired through a variety of hands-on, project-based initiatives inside and outside the classroom.

All students K-8 experience the joy of learning science in a designated STEAM Idea Lab, coordinated by the lead STEAM teacher.  As both makerspace and science lab, students use technology-based equipment to better understand the current project-based learning initiative, or they can create and explore scientific topics of interest.  Teachers regularly utilize the tools in this space to support and reinforce science curricular objectives.

While teaching and assessing the Ohio Learning Standards, teachers utilize a variety of resources including Mystery Science, an online discovery-based video curriculum for grades K-3, and a new Pearson science textbook series for grades 4-8.  The Pearson series combines an online personalized learning platform with a focus on the engineering and design model for the classroom. Teachers introduce an engaging question, initiate a hands-on lab experience, and follow up with an online lesson or assessment that addresses the learning.

St. Paul employs a designated science specialist for grades 5-6 students and a science specialist for grades 7-8.  A yearly interdisciplinary Engineering and Design Science Fair for 7th and 8th grade students is the capstone of the program.  Based on a question of their choosing, students complete a comprehensive research paper and conduct a study following the engineering and design process.  Students then present their findings to a wide variety of scientists, engineers, and other career professionals in our local Westerville community.