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Lower School Classroom Chronicle

A group of young students in white lab coats posing with their teachers in a classroom setting, surrounded by educational materials and equipment.
Science Spark: Igniting Curiosity in First Grade
Mary McGrady, First Grade

Get ready to see some serious "aha!" moments! In First Grade, we don’t just study science - we live it. Twice a week, our entire grade level joins forces to explore, experiment, and foster new friendships as one big team of junior researchers.

Our lessons get a creative boost from Professor Spark (a.k.a. Ms McGrady). From the moment the students put on their lab coats and goggles, they are fully immersed in the hands-on world of discovery. The learning includes high-energy and thought provoking S.T.E.M. activities led by one of our own talented second grade parents, Tory Light. These projects are custom-tailored to our curriculum, allowing students to roll up their sleeves and dive into concepts such as:

  • Botanical Wonders: Crafting their own Venus Fly Traps
  • High-Voltage Fun: Lighting up the room with L.E.D. circuits
  • Sound Waves: Engineering unique sound devices from scratch

We believe the best classroom often has no walls! Our budding scientists have already visited the Lawrence Hall of Science and enjoyed a scenic ferry ride to the Exploratorium alongside their Fifth Grade buddies. Next stop? The stars! We are counting down the days until our upcoming expedition to the Chabot Space and Science Center.

Check out the pictures for a peek into our classroom experiments and the fun we’ve had exploring science together this year.

A group of children sitting around a table, engaged in various activities and projects in what appears to be a classroom or educational setting.
A group of children are gathered around a table, engaged in what appears to be a collaborative learning activity, with various materials and tools spread out in front of them.
The image shows two people in white lab coats and wigs interacting with a group of students in a classroom setting, with a display board in the background providing information about a %22Mystery Box Time%22 activity.
A group of young children in a classroom setting, engaged in various activities at their desks, with a teacher visible in the background.
A classroom filled with students sitting at desks, surrounded by colorful educational displays and posters on the walls.
A group of children, some wearing colorful clothing, are gathered together outdoors in a natural setting with trees and a blue sky in the background.
A group of young students are engaged in a hands-on art project, working together on colorful paper cutouts and designs in a classroom setting.
A group of children are gathered around a table, engaged in various arts and crafts activities, with a colorful and lively classroom environment visible in the background.
A group of young students in martial arts uniforms posing with their instructor in a classroom setting, surrounded by educational materials and equipment.
A group of young students in white lab coats are gathered around a table, engaged in a hands-on science experiment or activity, with an older adult instructor guiding them in the classroom setting.