Our Lady of Victory Catholic School
Science
The Our Lady of Victory Catholic School faculty and administration believe that early experiences in science are critical to the academic development of students at both the elementary and middle school level. Experiences with science promote problem-solving skills and give children the confidence to actively participate in an increasingly scientific and technological world (NSTA Position Statement).At OLVCS, the elementary and middle school science teachers use traditional approaches and experiential activities to enable students to build their understanding of scientific terms and concepts, as well as nurture their investigative and inquiry/process skills. The OLVCS Science curriculum meets the standards set by the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown Office of Education, which models its learning outcomes after the standards set by the PA Department of Education. Grades K-5 use the Bring Science Alive! series by Teachers’ Curriculum Institute. OLVCS elementary students explore the concepts and processes related to topics such as plants, animals, habitats, ecosystems, light and sound, sky patterns, climate and weather, earth, space, forces and motion. The curriculum helps students learn how to observe and investigate, as well as talk and write about, both the natural and man-made world.
The middle school curriculum is also grounded in the Next Generation Science Standards in order to help students build a cohesive understanding of science over time. Grades 6-8 use Savvas Interactive Science, which includes virtual labs and other enrichment activities. In practice, the 6th grade science curriculum centers on physical sciences. The 7th and 8th grade science curriculum follows a biennial schedule, covering life sciences and earth sciences on a rotating basis.
