N E X T G E N E R AT I O N S C I E N C E T O D AY AT A L L E N - S T E V E N S O N .
By Jenny Bruce, Associate Director of Communications The boys love coming into this space to learn and explore,” Science Department Head, Jack Cooley says with a smile, “You can see why!” With resplendent sunlight streaming through the greenhouse roof, the lush, earthy fragrance of ripe tomatoes, zucchini flowers, eggplant, and budding cucumbers, and the tilapia water tank burbling in the background, the “why” is very apparent. All age groups have enjoyed this new, fertile addition to Allen-Stevenson’s beautiful learning spaces as science continues to evolve as a living study and practice for both the School’s faculty and students.
Eighth Grade To understand which chemical compounds affect the air we breathe (carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, ground-level ozone, particle pollution, and sulfur oxides) Ms. Donahue and her eighth-grade students took to the city streets to test air quality with Flow Monitors. Using the NGSS crosscutting framework (patterns, cause and effect, and stability and change), Ms. Donahue introduced an element of social justice, asking students to compare Air Quality Index data against demographic information to identify patterns. Analyzing the relationship between geographical location, socio-economics, and Testing physics with Olympic air pollution, the boys were passionate in their pursuit of data competition and in their discussions about the implications of their findings in their city and in the world at large. Testing air quality
7th Grade scientific research presentations
A significant principle of NGSS is that scientific studies are not merely “a series of isolated facts” for students to memorize. When learning Newton’s Laws of physics, formulas, and theories, with the Winter Olympics in full swing, Ms. Donahue asked eighth-grade boys which of Newton’s principles and forces of motion apply to Olympic sports and how? Connecting learning to the students’ interests boosts both student engagement and understanding, hence, the “Winter Olympics” science games; lab-tabletop curling and figure skating, and bobsledding. It was thrilling to observe the boys joyfully applying their understanding of Newton’s Laws of Motion and Momentum by literally putting them into motion!
Seventh Grade
This concept of “3D learning” is strongly endorsed by NGSS, underscoring the importance of evidence-based, model/theory building and science as an iterative process. With this in mind, Mr. Cooley’s seventhgrade science class set out to evaluate which of the Greenhouse’s multiple hydroponic systems created the greatest biomass growth in lettuce from seed to plant. After planting seeds and monitoring their growth over seven weeks, students drafted a "Claim-Evidence-Reasoning" statement later presented to
Spring 2022
Next Generation Science Standards
Allen-Stevenson’s science department has developed a rich, inquiry, and project-based curriculum for all age groups with an emphasis on real-world connections supported by Allen-Stevenson’s engaging research environments – newly appointed Science and Engineering Labs and the Greenhouse. Thoughtfully informed by Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), Allen-Stevenson’s science curriculum integrates important concepts like cause and effect while exploring connections between theoretical knowledge and hands-on applications. Not coincidentally, NGSS standards are very much in keeping with the School’s Vision Statement, supporting a joyful, stimulating learning environment where students develop collaborative, interpersonal skills, including empathy-building and critical thinking. Needless to say, enforcing these standards demands an above-and-beyond passion for teaching with a hearty dose of creativity which, based on this year’s scientific adventures alone, is abundant in AllenStevenson’s faculty.
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