As we create these unique and authentic experiences  outside we want to be sure that they are being continued in indoors-  for example the science room.  What is Middle School Science at ECS?

The Middle School Science Program at ECS uses the  Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in conjunction with the PA Science Standards to develop curriculum that engages in the three dimensions of the NGSS for successful science instruction:  content, practices, and  cross-cutting concepts. 

Content drives the experience whether it is life science, earth science, physical science, engineering, or a combination of several of these topics!  Students use scientific practices, such as asking questions and carrying out investigations, to actively engage in the content. Students act like scientists by taking risks, making mistakes, problem-solving through struggles, and persevering to create evidence-based arguments and solutions.Science allows students the chance to explore and fail so that they can develop and use processes to help them construct explanations about the world we live in. The third dimension connects the dots between different content areas by identifying the  crosscutting concepts, showing students the interconnected nature of science as it is practiced and experienced in the real world. 

The ECS science team values  student-led investigations, frequent collaboration and  working in teams, and  experiencing science instead of memorizing facts. ECS is determined to produce inquisitive, critical, and communicative consumers of scientific information by providing authentic experiences that focus on deeper understanding of content as well as application of content. The program continually strives towards teaching the  "how" and  "why" rather than simply the "what" so students can walk away with the skills they will need to make critical choices and decisions in life.