Science

Teachers and administrators in the Dubuque Community Schools are dedicated to providing a quality science program based on the premise that all students are capable of becoming scientifically literate. Science is an active process. Students learn science by observing, inferring, and experimenting. Describing objects and events, asking questions, constructing explanations, testing the explanations against current scientific knowledge, and being able to communicate findings are essential scientific skills. These skills will springboard students to future jobs in an increasingly technological society that requires creative thinking and problem solving capabilities.

Students in the elementary grades study science daily. Science kits provide a firm foundation for "hands-on, minds-on" learning. Each year, different units of study focus around the themes of life, earth, and physical sciences. Kindergarten students learn about the physical properties of shadows while 6^th graders create and explain physical models of electricity and magnetism. All students take an active role in constructing their scientific knowledge.

Junior high students continue the daily study of science. They learn how scientific knowledge is the result of patterns that can be linked and categorized. Scientific theories are studied and students learn how theories change in response to contrary evidence. Appropriate technology and tools are used to acquire information from multiple sources and to report the information in effective ways.

High school students are required to study two years of science. Courses range from Environmental Science to Advanced Placement Biology, and include semester offerings of Astronomy, Botanical Studies, and Marine Biology. Students are expected to construct arguments that show how conflicting models and explanations of events may start with similar evidence and end with opposing views. Scientific knowledge is expanded to illustrate how knowledge and procedures used by scientists influence the way individuals think about themselves, others, or the natural environment. Societal challenges inspire questions for scientific research and give direction for future thought.