When your child comes home after a school day what are they most excited to tell you about? Perhaps they share what they learned in French class or how fun today’s daily phys ed activity was, but for many St-Laurent Academy families the dinner time discussion revolves around science. Science – the systematic study of the physical and natural world – is more than a curriculum subject. Learning science at a young age instills many essential skills and lays the foundation for a life of inquiry, wonder, and an unending pursuit of knowledge.
Why Science is Important
Through science, students can learn the essential skills of enquiry, investigation, analysis, and observation. This is something all students can learn at an age-appropriate level. Students develop skills like critical thinking, attention to detail, problem-solving, and analytical skills. Science presents cooperative learning opportunities and ties into other learning like reading, writing, math, teamwork, and reading comprehension. Best of all, science introduces all of these concepts in a fun, inspiring way. Who doesn’t love making a volcano out of baking soda and vinegar, creating a Diet Coke/Mentos geyser, or getting out in the sun to observe turtles at Macoun March?
Science at St-Laurent Academy
At our private school, science is given its due. Science is about understanding the world from the minutest particle level to the breadth of the observable universe through observation and experiment. From biology to geology, astronomy to chemistry, mechanics to ecology, we make science a priority in our school curriculum. Students of St-Laurent Academy as young as three begin weekly science classes. By Grade 3, science is offered several periods a week.
St-Laurent Academy students participate in the annual Science Fair in November, the Engineering Challenge in the winter, and many science fieldtrips, and regular visits to our Outdoor Classroom.
Our school is renowned for our commitment to environmental education and instilling students with a sense of environmental responsibility. “I want to empower my students with a sense of responsibility. Young people need to know that the environmental condition of our planet is not hopeless,” says Science teacher Mr. Léveille. All of our students have the opportunity to bring the classroom to life with project-based learning at the Macoun Marsh Outdoor Classroom. Through the Macoun Marsh Project, we research, record, enhance, and protect the local ecology. We educate students and the community, and we inspire youth to take a leadership role in protecting our planet.
Promoting Science at Home
Choosing a school that makes science education a priority, is a solid start. Next, take the time to create learning opportunities at home – explore matter changing state as water freezes to ice, or create a home-made camera on March Break. Now that Spring has arrived, explore the biodiversity in your own backyard! Finally, visit local science museums like Canadian Museum of Nature, exhibits and venues like Ray’s Reptiles.
St-Laurent Academy Daycare, Elementary and High School Registration continues for the 2016-17 school year. Spaces are filling quickly, so book a visit now to learn more about our early primary programs and to find out if St-Laurent Academy is the right fit for your family.