By the time our students come to us in the Lower School, they are already natural scientists. Our Lower School science program is designed to take the girls’ innate curiosity about our world and allow it to expand in many directions. Our Lower School science program uses the BSCS Science TRACKS curriculum, an inquiry-based program that incorporates many cooperative-learning opportunities in a modular format. This approach focuses on the processes of scientific inquiry in modules focused on Life Science, Physical Science, and Earth and Space Science. Our girls conduct lab activities while working in teams and the role that each girl has on the team changes with each activity. This allows each girl to shine by displaying innate strengths. Through their teamwork, our girls are encouraged to explore objects, events and organisms in their environment; develop and explain concepts both orally and by writing and drawing; and develop communication skills by recording data, reflecting on experiences and reporting results. Our Lower School curriculum has a special focus on non-fiction reading skills.