In second grade hands-on exploration, discussion, collaborative group work and literature are integral to science lessons.  The overarching theme in second grade science is change, explored through the sub-themes of water and rocks. Each exploration furthers students understanding of scientific processes.

2^nd Grade Science:  How does change happen?  How do scientists organize and carry out an investigation to measure change?

• Overriding theme of change is explored through sub-themes of water and rocks
• Properties of water and water drops, floating/sinking (basic – using it more for experimental design skills)
• Watersheds - Park School Stream, Chesapeake Bay, erosion, water movement and role in land formation.
• Landforms – how they are formed, glaciers, volcanoes, theory of plate tectonics
• Magnets – properties of magnets, magnetic field, strength of magnets, making compasses
• Changes – properties of materials, states of matter, mixtures, solutions, chemical and physical change - the changes unit ties in with the rocks and landforms.
• Rocks – rock cycle, hardness, crystals, basic chemical versus physical change, mock rocks
• Electricity – basic circuits, introducing a bulb, buzzer, or motor with a propeller.